Luton Town FC vs Watford (1st Apr 2023)

Report | Luton Town 2-0 Watford

It was derby day delight for Luton Town as they recorded a 2-0 victory over local rivals Watford and stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches in the Sky Bet Championship.

Gabe Osho avenged his red card in the reverse fixture with a close range finish and Allan Campbell poked home a second as the game crept into added time with the two decisive moments to write their names into the Luton history books in the first derby fixture at Kenilworth Road in front of supporters since 2006.

Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu – who suffered a knee injury during the match against Sheffield United last month and consequently missed the following two games – was the surprise return for the Hatters, the only change in the starting line-up from the 1-1 draw against Sunderland prior to the international break.

The Hatters were quick to find their feet after the two-week break and took the game to their rivals in-front of a noisy sold-out Kenilworth Road crowd, though chances were few and far between until the 20th minute.

The first effort on goal came after a period of sustained pressure from Rob Edwards’ side and it fell to Campbell, but he was denied by the onrushing Daniel Bachmann who prevented the opener with a superb stop inside the area.

Eight minutes later though, Luton weren’t to be denied as Osho scored his second goal of the season. Cody Drameh was composed and found Mpanzu on the right-hand-side of the penalty area, who played the ball across the 18-yard box towards Osho, who in turn swept the ball into the bottom corner.

Top scorer Carlton Morris had an opportunity to double Town’s advantage minutes before half-time but his left-footed effort from outside the area was beaten away by the Watford keeper.

The away side had a chance shortly into the second period when Jeremy Ngakia headed just past the post and they grew into the contest as they increased the pressure on the Luton defence.

The Hatters, however, regained control after the hour mark and Bachmann once more was on hand to keep the score at one-nil. Alfie Doughty’s cross went through a number of bodies and dropped to Elijah Adebayo in space on the right of the penalty box. With a touch out of his feet, Adebayo aimed low towards the corner but once more the Watford number one was equal to it.

Town’s number 11 went close again with 10 minutes remaining but his shot was held well, before the returning Mpanzu was then denied by a flying Craig Cathcart block with an effort that looked destined to find the back of the net.

To a man, Edwards’ Hatters were relentless from the first minute right through till the end, best displayed by Marvelous Nakamba’s tenacious energy in the closing stages to win possession back and launch an attack.

It was such pressure that led to the second goal as Campbell squeezed the ball into the net from close range in the 90th minute as the Hatters extended their unbeaten run to seven games and moved level on points with third place Middlesbrough ahead of a trip to Millwall on Good Friday.

Luton Town: Horvath; Drameh, Lockyer (C), Osho, Bell, Doughty; Campbell, Nakamba, Mpanzu; Morris (Woodrow 90'), Adebayo. Subs not used: Shea, Bradley, Berry, Lansbury, Burke, Taylor

Goals: Osho (28’), Campbell (90’) [it was Mpanzu booked not Campbell]

Watford: Bachmann; Porteous, Cathcart (C), Hoedt (Sarr 65’); Ngakia (Ferreira 65’), Louza, Choudhury, Kone (Asprilla 77’), Sema; Pedro, Davis (Assombalonga 67’). Subs not used: Hamer, Bacuna, Kabasele.

Yellows: Pedro, Choudhury

Referee: Josh Smith

Attendance: 10,046

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prxu_YrLldc – Rob Edwards interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNMyxYbjpTE – Full time scenes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQOBBeW-jF0 – Match highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkYjZ1h0PMM – Gabe Osho

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ_P8HuoI9Q – every angle

Reaction | Rob Edwards reflects on an "emotional" derby win!

Manager Rob Edwards admitted the 2-0 derby win over his former club Watford made him feel emotional.

“It meant a lot to us, I think the players showed that in their performance, so all round a really, really good day," said the man who was sacked by the Hertfordshire club after just ten league games at the start of this season.

Every single one of the Hatters' starting XI gave everything, with Edwards only making a change in injury-time when Cauley Woodrow replaced the immense Carlton Morris after Allan Campbell had netted the second goal.

“I thought the players were outstanding, every single one of them, to the point where it actually made me emotional at the end," said Edwards. "The running they showed, the intent that they showed, right to the very, very end, they were outstanding, so yes, a really enjoyable day."

Even before Gabe Osho had opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark, Town had been in control with the Hornets rarely threatening Ethan Horvath's goal.

“They had some moments, they had the first five minutes of the second half when we couldn’t get the pressure on the ball," said Edwards. "Then one or two things happened where we were able to get up the pitch and I thought we were in a lot of control.

"They had a big threat with their individuals they’ve got the counter attack, they’ve got good players, and even when they made the change to the back four and Ismaila comes on, we dealt with it very, very well, shuffled the midfield a couple of times just to match them up, and our wingbacks had to go and press the full backs on the ball side.

"But we were able to deal with what they threw at us very, very well and kept control really. To get the second goal today was a nice relief as we’ve deserved it a lot lately, but we didn’t get it.”

Asked whether the Hatters can still catch second-placed Sheffield United, who won at Norwich while third-placed Middlesbrough lost at home to struggling Huddersfield, Edwards replied: "You lot can talk about that, we'll focus on Millwall next.

"We are in a really good position and we are going to keep our foot down and see where it takes us. We know what gets us success and those lads know how to win games, and we've got to continue to do that.

"There are seven huge games to go and the moment we take our eye off the ball, you can get kicked in the backside so we won't let that happen."

On the atmosphere created by a sell-out crowd inside the Kenny for the first deby in front of fans here for 17 years, he went on: "It brought some emotion out towards the end, it was just nice to be able to take it in a little bit and have a look around and see everyone, with the lads, the connection that we've got.

"The fans have been phenomenal for us since we came in, and hopefully now if they didn't know what it meant to us as well, Richie and I, after earlier in the season, they know now what it means to us and how we've been welcomed in by them. But from the warm-up, the guys came in and went 'Yeah, they're at it today', and it felt brilliant throughout."

He added: "I want everyone to have a good night. Everyone's got to enjoy it. You've got to enjoy those moments, so hopefully everyone has a great night - safely. No messing about. But we've got to enjoy it.

"We are in a fantastic position, the club is on a high, everyone is going for the same thing, and to have success, that's what you need. There are no guarantees that we are going to go and do anything, and I don't want to start talking like something is going to happen. We all feel like something could and we want to be in that mix.

"We said we wanted to be in the mix with five games to go. It looks like we will be and I believe in that group of players in there, with total faith. They are unbelievable. I don't like using that word. They are believable, they've done it and shown it so many times, and they keep proving people wrong. They are better than what people think."

Derby day delirium for Luton as Osho and Campbell score to beat rivals Watford

Championship: Luton Town 2 Watford 0

A wonderful, magnificent, amazing, whatever adjective you wish to use, afternoon at Kenilworth Road saw Luton record their first victory over fiercest rivals Watford with fans present since 1993 thanks to goals from Gabe Osho and Allan Campbell.

Although the Hornets weren't quite battered, as the song goes, it was a truly limp display from Chris Wilder's side, who looked a shadow of the side that handed out a 4-0 hammering at Vicarage Road earlier in the season, the Hatters getting almost everything absolutely spot on throughout the entire 90 minutes.

With Luton getting some sweet, sweet revenge over their sworn enemies, it was the same for manager Rob Edwards too, incredibly harshly sacked by the Hornets back in September, as the widest of wide smiles on his face during the final whistle celebrations was telling.

Back to the game and Luton chief sprung a major surprise ahead of kick-off, with midfielder Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu making a quicker than expected recovery from a knee injury that had looked like ending his season, to replace Luke Berry in the starting line-up.

After an opening 10 minutes passed without any real incident, Luton were the first to raise pulses when Amari'i Bell tried his luck from fully 40 yards after a corner was cleared to him, his effort swerving wide of the target.

The Hatters then began to up their tempo, winning a host of corners, one of which led to a wonderful chance on 22 minutes.

A clever routine saw Osho unable to sort his feet out, opting to take on a player when he should have shot, the ball dropping to Campbell who from eight yards out, was denied by a magnificent Daniel Bachmann save, the Austrian somehow tipping over the bar.

Town had lift off on 28 minutes though with a wonderful sweeping move on the right, as Cody Drameh and Mpanzu combined to find Tom Lockyer, his ball round the corner perfect for Mpanzu.

The midfielder then delivered a low cross that Osho swept home, immediately celebrating in front of the away support who had waved him off when dismissed during the defeat in Hertfordshire earlier in the season, before going crazy in front of a delirious home support.

With the visitors, bar a dangerous Ken Sema burst, offering precisely nothing at Ethan Horvath's goal, Town threatened a second, Morris, who was having an absorbing battle with Ryan Porteous trying his luck from 20 yards, Bachmann parrying away.

The Hornets did make a better start after the break, a slightly nervy feeling hanging over Kenilworth Road as the home fans knew just what was at stake, Jeremy Ngakia's far post header bouncing narrowly wide.

Campbell saw his fierce blast deflected away as Luton tried to assume the kind of authority they had in the opening 45 minutes, Imran Louza's low shot easy work for Horvath, the visitors only shot on target all game.

Adebayo might have tested Bachmann only to opt to bring down Morris's cross rather than go for goal, Craig Cathcart making a last-ditch clearance, while just after the hour mark, an audacious piece of skill by Morris saw the top scorer try to pick out the top corner from 30 yards, his attempt not coming down in time.

Having begun to wrest the ascendancy back, Town hunted a calming second, Adebayo once more left unmarked, but with the angle against him, was unable to beat Bachmann.

Apart from his booking for kicking the ball away, supposed star-man Joao Pedro had been kept quiet, before giving a reminder of his threat, advancing on the left and seeing Horvath gather his cross-shot.

Visiting boss Chris Wilder made four changes in a bid to try and force a leveller, but it was Luton looking the more likely, on 79 minutes Adebayo doing impressively to beat a challenge in the box, his shot too close to Bachmann.

Mpanzu almost had the fairytale moment and second goal Town's fans craved, his shot looking destined for the net until cannoning into a covering defender.

However, with four minutes of stoppage time signalled, it was party time, Campbell finding the net from close range, with bedlam descending on the famous old ground, Town's supporters finally able to celebrate a totally and utterly deserved victory against the old enemy.

Hatters: Ethan Horvath, Cody Drameh, Gabe Osho, Tom Lockyer (C), Amari'i Bell, Alfie Doughty, Marvelous Nakamba, Allan Campbell, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Elijah Adebayo, Carlton Morris (Cauley Woodrow 90).

Subs not used: James Shea, Henri Lansbury, Luke Berry, Joe Taylor, Reece Burke, Sonny Bradley.

Hornets: Daniel Bachmann, Jeremy Ngakia (Joao Ferreira 65), Hamza Choudhury, Imran Louza, Keinan Davis (Britt Assombalonga 68), Joao Pedro, Ismael Kone (Yaser Asprilla 76), Ken Sema, Craig Cathcart ©, Ryan Porteous, Welsy Hoedt (Ismaila Sarr 65).

Subs not used: Leandro Bacuna, Ben Hamer, Christian Kabasele.

Bookings: Pedro 45, Choudhury 78, Campbell [it was Mpanzu booked] 90, Drameh 90, Louza 90.

Referee: Josh Smith.

Attendance: 10,046 (1,025 visitors).

Luton chief left feeling 'emotional' as Hatters earn famous win over his former Hornets side

Edwards reacts to derby day victory at Kenilworth Road

Luton boss Rob Edwards declared he was left feeling emotional during the closing stages of his side’s terrific 2-0 victory over fierce rivals Watford at Kenilworth Road this afternoon.

With Town leading 1-0 through Gabe Osho’s close range finish in the first half, they were keeping their opponents out arm’s length for the majority of the second period.

With visiting manager Chris WIlder bringing the likes of Ismaila Sarr and Britt Assombalonga on to the field to join a side still containing Joao Pedro, the Hatters players worked their absolute socks off to ensure keeper Ethan Horvath had very little to actually do.

It paid off too, Town scoring a second goal for the first time in four matches through Allan Campbell in the opening moments of stoppage time to allow the home fans to rejoice in the final moments of what was a famous, famous victory.

Speaking afterwards, Edwards, who was able to celebrate a win over the side who sacked him following just 11 games in charge earlier in the campaign, said: “It meant a lot to us as well, I think the players showed that in their performance, so all round a really, really good day.

“I thought the players were outstanding, every single one of them, to the point where it actually made me emotional at the end.

"The running they showed, the intent that they showed, right to the very, very end was outstanding, so yes, a really enjoyable day.

“It brought some emotion out towards the end, it was just nice to be able to take it in, look around, and see everyone with the lads.

"The connection that we’ve got with the fans is top, they’ve been phenomenal for us since we’ve come in.

"Hopefully now if they didn’t know what it means to us, Richie (Kyle, assistant) and I, after earlier in the season they now know what it means to us and how we’ve been welcomed in by them.

"But from the warm-up today, the lads came in and said, ‘yes, they’re at it today,’ and it felt brilliant.

“I want everyone to have a good night, everyone’s got to enjoy it, enjoy those moments, hopefully everyone has a great night, safely, no messing about, but we’ve got to enjoy it.

"We’re in a fantastic position, the club is on a high, everyone’s going for the same thing and to have success that’s what you need.”

On his side’s display after the break, Edwards added: “They had some moments, they had the first five minutes in the second half where we just didn’t get the pressure on the ball.

"Then one or two things happened where we were able to get up the pitch and I thought we were in a lot of control.

"They had a big threat with their individuals they’ve got, the counter attack, they’ve got good players as we all know and even when they made the change to the back four and Ismaila (Sarr) comes on, we dealt with it very, very well.

"We shuffled the midfield a couple of times just to match them up, and our wingbacks had to go and press the full backs on the ball side, but we were able to deal with what they threw at us very, very well.

"We kept control really and to get the second goal today was a nice relief as we’ve deserved it a lot lately but we didn’t get it.”

Osho staying up to midnight to watch his Watford goal as he admits celebration to Hornets fans was pre-planned

Defender eager to watch his strike back again and again

Hatters goalscorer Gabe Osho admitted he will be staying up to midnight to watch the highlights of not just his opening goal, but the pre-planned celebration towards the Watford supporters during this afternoon’s 2-0 victory over Town’s major rivals.

The 24-year-old broke the deadlock with 28 minutes of the contest at Kenilworth Road gone, sweeping home Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu’s pinpoint cross from close range.

Setting off to celebrate with the Luton fans, Osho, who had been sent off in the closing stages at Vicarage Road earlier in the season when his side were hammered 4-0, quickly stopped in his tracks.

Having been waved off in Hertfordshire by Hornets player William Troost-Ekong, who is now on-loan at Serie A side Salernitana, he made a point of doing the crying eyes action towards the 1,000 or so Hornets followers, before making a beeline to the Kenny End to rejoice with the rest of his team-mates.

Asked if he had dreamt about finding the net in the Hatters’ most anticipated game of the campaign beforehand, Osho said: “Yes, I have, my little brother actually messaged me and said ‘if you score, then give them a little bit after what happened in the last game.’

"So I was happy to be able to do that today, it’s something I’ve been thinking about since getting sent off, so I’m just happy.

“I almost forgot to do it, I planned it before the game, but once I scored, the emotion just went whoosh, but it was a lot of emotion.

“It was important, I think you could kind of see that emotion in the celebration.

"Obviously for myself last time, I kind of let myself down with the sending off, so it was just nice to get a bit of revenge today and win the game, which was the most important thing.

“I’m going to be staying up to 12 when the highlights come on!

"I’ll watch it back a lot, watch the celebration back a lot and you have to enjoy it for now.”

The goal when it came was a wonderful team move by the Hatters, Cody Drameh finding the fit-again Mpanzu, whose pass into Tom Lockyer of all people was then turned back out to him by the centre half.

The recalled midfielder delivered a fine low cross that Osho was perfectly positioned to tuck past Daniel Bachmann, as he continued: “It was special.

“It was kind of off the cuff, we don’t really practice with Locks playing one-twos with Pelly.

"But it just shows how much we’ve been working and when you do work that hard, things just happen, so luckily I was on the end of it to put it away.

“I saw Pells running round and he has that power just to keep going and keep going.

"So when he crossed it, I can’t really remember what happened, I just stuck my foot out and it went in thankfully, but it was just a great day.”

With Luton’s fans having not been able to witness a victory over their enemies since 1993, almost 30 years ago, on whether he realised the magnitude of what he had achieved, Osho added: “I’ll have to go into my car, sit down and just take it in really.

"I live with Amari’i (Bell) and we were talking about it last night, saying this rivalry is like humongous. really taking it in.

"The feeling now, it’s slowly starting to sink in that what we’ve done here is really quite special for the club and myself as well.

"It will probably start to sink in over the next couple of hours, but right now it feels pretty good as well.”