Luton Town FC vs Rotherham United (12th Nov 2022)

Report | Luton Town 1-1 Rotherham United

Game changer Luke Berry grabbed a deserved 90th-minute equaliser, his second goal in a week, as the Hatters fought back from a Rotherham goal after just 55 seconds to take a point under interim manager Mick Harford.

The Luton legend, taking charge of a Town side in a fourth different division following Nathan Jones' departure for Southampton in midweek, had walked out to a standing ovation from every corner of a sold-out Kenilworth Road before kick-off.

The 63-year-old described it a "hairs on the back of the neck moment", and everyone of the 9,000 Hatters fans present would no doubt say the same, before the Remembrance Weekend tribute that followed, with a minute's silence impeccably observed.

Big Mick made two changes from the side that lost at Stoke in Jones' final game in charge at Stoke on Tuesday night. Ethan Horvath had recovered from illness that ruled him out of that one, and Alfie Doughty came back into the starting line-up to make his fifth league start, replacing Harry Cornick who was named amongst the substitutes.

Development Squad left-back Josh Williams joins Casey Pettit on the bench with Under 18 Head Coach Alan McCormack overlooking from the sidelines, joined by Alex Lawless and Adrian Forbes.

But there were just 55 seconds on the clock when the crowd were silenced as Jamie Lindsay volleyed Rotherham into the lead from just inside the area, with the Hatters struggling to clear a ball in from the left.

Town had to wait until the 12th minute for their first effort on goal, but Rotherham keeper Viktor Johansson was perfectly positioned to gather Morris' glancing header from Doughty's cross.

The Millers' Wes Harding was the first player to be shown a yellow card for a 19th-minute foul on Morris, and although Lockyer got his head on Bree's deep free-kick, his glancing header was well off target.

It was the same end result in the 24th-minute for the man called up by Wales for the World Cup this week, as he met Bree's left-wing corner at the near post this time.

Clark and Adebayo combined on the break to present Morris with a good chance to level just before the half-hour, but the top scorer's first-time effort from outside the box was a yard wide of the target.

A driving 32nd-minute run from Adebayo ended with his shot being blocked on the edge of the box, before Campbell took it upon himself to have a go, receiving Doughty's pass infield and driving towards the penalty area before letting fly from 20 yards, Johansson denying him with a fingertip save over the bar.

The Millers keeper had to beat away a fiercely struck cross-shot by Bree on 42 minutes as the Hatters continued to push for the equaliser their play merited.

Rotherham made a change at the break, taking off former Hatter Peter Kioso - who had gone down injured shortly before half-time - and replacing him with Brooke Norton-Cuffy.

Harford didn't wait much longer before making his first switch, bringing Berry on for Osho in the 56th minute, and it didn't take long for the midfielder to be breaking into the box in his trademark style, as Rotherham defender getting back just ahead of him to turn Doughty's cut-back behind.

The visitors' attempts to clear the corner were thwarted by a perfectly timed challenge by Mpanzu on the 18-yard line, forcing the ball out to Bree, whose cross was met by Adebayo, climbing above Johansson, but the Town striker's header landed on the roof of the Rotherham net.

Rotherham were given a helping hand for their next chance, with ref Martin penalising Doughty for a handball that actually came off his thigh, and Cohen Bramall curling in a free-kick that Horvath gathered at the second attempt.

Harford turned to the bench with 20 minutes left, calling on Cornick and Luke Freeman in place of Adebayo and Campbell, but it was Doughty who would go closest, Johansson having to dive at full stretch to tip his left-foot curler around the post.

Berry had the ball in the back of the Rotherham net on 79 minutes when he intercepted Cornick's deflected shot and placed it in the bottom corner, onlt for a linesman's flag to rule it out.

Then the other sub, Freeman, tried his luck from 18 yards, only for his shot to be deflected over.

The door was finally knocked down with 90 minutes up, as Morris headed Freeman's free-kick back to Clark, who directed his shot on target, but with Johansson looking likely to save, Berry was in the right place at the right time, as ever, to divert the ball into the opposite corner of the net.

It was richly deserved, and sends the Hatters into the World Cup break a place lower in the table than at kick-off, but just a point off the play-offs with 25 matches to go.

While an old manager signs off to continue his part in the recruitment process, the next boss, whoever that may prove to be, will be relishing the prospect of coming into another potential promotion push.

Enjoy the break, Hatters - and thank you Big Mick!

Goal:

R - Lindsay 1'

L - Berry 90'

Att: 10,071 (1,040 away)

Reaction | Mick Harford on Rotherham draw

Interim manager Mick Harford said the players gave him ‘everything’ as they rescued a point against Rotherham United.

Luke Berry came off the bench to earn a draw in a competitive game at Kenilworth Road, as the Hatters head into the World Cup break 10th in the Sky Bet Championship, one point outside the play-off places.

After a turbulent week, Mick said to the local press after the game: “They gave me everything, they gave the staff everything, they gave the club everything and I have really enjoyed the last few days, being around them and preparing for the game.

"It has been a bit of a whirlwind since Nathan left and they’re a magnificent set of players, brilliant squad who work tirelessly and what we asked them to do today was very seamless.

“I thought we dominated, in the first half the chances we created and the positions we got into. Obviously Rotherham got a very early goal and it gave them something to hang on to.

“They’re a tough nut to crack – Rotherham – they have a way of playing, a good system, they sit in deep and try and play on the counter and they’re hard to break down. We tried to do something different and it didn’t work out, but overall am I pleased with a point? Yes, I would rather have a win 100 per cent but I thought the performance was brilliant.”

On the ovation he received prior to the match, Big Mick said: “I’m overwhelmed by the reception they gave me and I just want to say a big thank you to them and a big thank you to the community for what they have done for me. They’re the best fans in the world, the reception was something different.

“I honestly really appreciate it. It was really overwhelming and it brings tears to my eyes.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzlQ4vH-wTU – Mick Harford interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8T3O1IUdbU – Match highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt5ts8B_xZw – Jordan Clark interview

Berry bags a last-gasp equaliser as Luton snatch a point against Millers

Championship: Luton Town 1 Rotherham United 1

Luke Berry came off the bench to score a last-minute leveller and ensure Luton, under interim manager Mick Harford, picked up a late, late point in their 1-1 draw against Rotherham United this afternoon.

With time running out, it looked like the club legend was going to taste a frustrating defeat after taking over following Nathan Jones’ departure for Premier League Southampton on Thursday morning.

However, Berry, who had already had a goal disallowed due to the offside flag moments earlier, was able to guide Jordan Clark's volley into the net from close range to ensure the Hatters registered a seventh draw from 11 home games this term.

How much he knew about it remains to be seen, but the result meant Town didn't go into the World Cup having to stew on a loss.

Ahead of kick-off, Harford made two changes, Ethan Horvath well enough to replace Harry Isted between the posts, while Alfie Doughty came in for Harry Cornick.

After a spine-tingling ovation for the former player, coach, scout, assistant and manager, who has done it all in his Hatters career, when he walked out of the tunnel at the helm for the first time since April 2019, with his name sung with gusto by the home supporters, Harford could only watch as Town got off to the worst possible start, behind after just 55 seconds.

Attacking on the left, the Millers put a ball into the box which Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu unwisely tried to clear with an ambitious backheel, only proceeding to put the ball on a plate for Jamie Lindsay to fire in a half volley that gave Horvath no chance.

Town responded well, Doughty swinging over a cross from the left and Morris seeing his glancing header easily claimed by keeper Viktor Johansson.

Luton still couldn't overly test the visiting stopper, Tom Lockyer getting up well to James Bree's driven corner midway through the half, flashing an attempt over the bar.

Town should have levelled with 28 minutes gone, as they won the ball back inside the Millers half, with Adebayo sent away on the right.

He looked up and rolled the ball across for Morris, faced with Johansson to beat, but the forward dragged his effort, as it didn't even hit the target, Luton's top scorer looking to the sky in frustration.

Hatters then went closer with 35 gone, as another encouraging break saw Campbell stride forward and despite having the unmarked Morris screaming for the ball to his right, quite possibly the better option, went for it alone, seeing his 20-yard blast tipped over by the flying Johansson.

Looking for a fast start to the second period, Town couldn't really get going, with too many through-balls either going through to the visiting custodian or straight out of play, Harford brought on Berry for Gabe Osho just before the hour, switching to a flat back four.

It almost paid off, the midfielder forcing a corner and then Bree's follow up delivery nodded over by Adebayo under pressure from Johansson.

If anything, the Millers looked more likely to extend their lead, with Town devoid of ideas, in what was a desperately flat Kenilworth Road, Doughty conceding a harsh free kick for a handball that only referee Stephen Martin spotted, Cohen Bramall's dipping set-piece gathered by Horvath at the second attempt.

Harford threw on Cornick and Luke Freeman in a bid to try and salvage something, with Doughty finally testing Johansson, his curler seeing the keeper at full stretch to palm behind.

Berry did have the ball in the net, only to see the linesman's flag raised with eight minutes to go, while Freeman took aim, his shot deflecting behind off a defender.

With time running out, the Hatters were level though, a ball headed out to Clark on the edge of the box, and after taking a touch, saw his low volley cannon off Berry’s boot to wrongfoot Johansson and find the net.

Seven minutes were signalled, but there was to be no fairytale ending for Harford, despite the best attempts of Doughty, burrowing his way into the box, only to see Johansson get enough on his strike to prevent the stuff of dreams.

Hatters: Ethan Horvath, Alfie Doughty, James Bree, Tom Lockyer (C), Gabe Osho (Luke Berry 57), Amari'i Bell, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Allan Campbell (Luke Freeman 70), Jordan Clark, Elijah Adebayo (Harry Cornick 70), Carlton Morris.

Subs not used: Harry Isted, Josh Williams, Louie Watson, Casey Pettit.

Millers: Viktor Johansson, Wes Harding, Cohen Bramall, Dan Barlaser, Ben Wiles (C Tom Eaves 76), Chiedozie Ogbene (Conor Washingon 89), Jamie Lindsay (Hakeem Odoffin 89), Ollie Rathbone, Lee Peltier, Cameron Humphreys, Peter Kioso (Brooke Norton-Cuffy 46).

Subs not used: Richard Wood, Scott High, Josh Vickers.

Referee: Stephen Martin.

Booked: Harding 19, Barlaser 22, Peltier 47, Doughty 67, Bramall 89, Eaves 89, Washington 90, Norton-Cuffy 90.

Attendance: 10,071 (1,040 Millers).

Emotional Harford left 'overawed and overwhelmed' by ovation from Luton fans ahead of Millers draw

Town interim chief close to tears when discussing his entrance at Kenilworth Road

An emotional Luton interim boss Mick Harford admitted he was left ‘overawed and overwhelmed’ by the magnificent ovation he received from the Hatters faithful ahead of this afternoon’s 1-1 draw against Rotherham United.

The 63-year-old, who is revered by every Town supporter for his service to the club over the years, took charge of the Championship clash following Nathan Jones’ departure for Southampton in the week, and was roared on to the field by the home crowd, in what was a spine-tingling reception.

Speaking afterwards, Harford who himself was close to tears, said: “I’m overawed by it and overwhelmed by it.

“I just want to say a big thankyou to them and a big thankyou to the community for what they've done for me.

"They're the best fans in the world, something different.

“I really appreciate it, it’s really overwhelming and brings tears to my eyes.”

Harford’s return looked like it was going to end in defeat as Jamie Lindsay put the visitors ahead after just 55 seconds following a poor clearance by Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu.

However, they hit back in the final minutes thanks to Luke Berry turning in Jordan Clark’s volley with a minute to go, as the interim chief added: “They give me everything, they give the staff everything, they give the club everything.

“I’ve really enjoyed the last three or four days, being around them and preparing for the game.

“We all know it's been a bit of a whirlwind since Nathan left and they’re a magnificent set of players, a brilliant squad, who work tirelessly.

“What we asked them to do today was very, very seamless in terms of how they went out and produced, it didn't look like the manager had gone away in my opinion.

“It was fully deserved in my opinion too, I thought we dominated in the first half, the chances we created and the positions we got ourselves in.

“Obviously Rotherham got a very early goal and gave them something to hang on to and they’re a tough nut to crack Rotherham.

“They have a way of playing, a good system, they sit in deep and try to play on the counter and they’re hard to break down, very hard to break down.

“We tried to do something different today but it just didn't work out.

“Overall, am I pleased with a point, yes, I'd rather have a win 100 per cent, but I thought the performance was brilliant.”