Luton Town's dream of promotion to the Premier League was ended on Monday night as they fell to a 1-0 away defeat to Huddersfield. However, every single player on and off the pitch made the Hatters fans proud after the incredible season they have had. Although Luton didn't book a place in the final at Wembley Stadium, they were almost certainly the better side on the night of this second leg.
Making just two changes to his side, Jones dropped Cameron Jerome to the bench whilst the injured Henri Lansbury was absent from the squad, Danny Hylton and Robert Snodgrass started in their places. Similarly to the first leg at home the Hatters controlled the first half and had the better of the chances.
In the seventh minute, Luton's first real chance came when Harry Cornick was slipped through by Snodgrass, but his shot went wide of the post. Minutes later Cornick had possibly Luton's best chance of the match when Kal Naismith put it on a plate for the attacker after a brilliant cross. The ball came in pretty fast for Cornick to pick a spot in time so the frontman placed his shot right at the goalkeeper and was unable to find the net again.
Then the experienced Robert Snodgrass fancied his chances after his 20 yard curled effort was saved by Nicholls, it then bounced straight onto Amari'i Bell, who was unable to position himself for a shot, meaning the ball went out. Shortly after, Huddersfield registered their first chance of the half when their top scorer Danny Ward headed his effort over Ingram‘s bar.
James Bree attempted to fire Luton in front when his shot which may have been intended as a cross caused troubles again for Nicholls. The ball was not yet cleared though and had to be helped away for a corner by the Huddersfield defence. After the thirty-minute mark, Luton were certainly showing their dominance but just lacked the one key element of a goal, that they so badly needed.
Emergency Hull loanee Ingram made an impressive save just ten minutes before the break as Huddersfield winger Toffolo got the Terriers’ first shot on target. Not long after, his strike partner Ward made way from the field of play after picking up an injury. He was replaced by Jordan Rhoades who would go on to win the game for the home side.
(Tom Lockyer gifts a fan his shirt- Gareth Owen)
Going into the break level, both sets of fans nervously awaited the second half which would decide who would walk down Wembley Way on the 29th of May.
Huddersfield came out for the second half all guns blazing as Tom Lee and Sinani had early chances narrowly avoided by the Hatters. Luton had another effort early on as well when Bell headed wide after an excellent cross from Allan Campbell.
Jordan Clark was the first player in the referee's notepad as he picked up a yellow card for a slide tackle on Rhoades. Kal Naismith soon followed in his footsteps as he saw yellow for a late foul on Sorba Thomas.
Huddersfield fans thought their side had one foot in the final in the sixty-fifth minute when Thomas' header found the back of the net. However, they only realised moments later that match official Bankes had already called for a foul in the build-up, meaning the goal didn't stand.
Luton boss, Jones brought on Cameron Jerome after these events in the search for a late winner, the number thirty-five replaced Danny Hylton who displayed a great performance in what may have been his last ever Luton game.
With twenty minutes to go, Matt Ingram pulled off a spectacular double save after Huddersfield piled on the pressure.
Although Ingram kept the Terriers’ last efforts out, he had no chance in the eighty-second minute. Luton conceded a long free-kick and Thomas reinforced Huddersfield's deadly consistency from set-pieces, he whipped the ball in and Jordan Rhoades beat Amari'i Bell at the back post to score his goal and break Luton fans’ hearts.
Luton attempted to find an equaliser by bringing on an inexperienced Mendes Gomes and a clearly unfit Elijah Adebayo, but they could not do so and the Hatters had to endure the celebrations from the Yorkshire fans whilst they had a long way home ahead of them.
Despite the result, every single Luton fan, player and everyone involved with the club should hold their heads high. After an outstanding season, Luton appeared as a surprise package in the Championship playoffs even though they have one of the smallest budgets in the league. The togetherness of the squad has been evident since game week one and the support from the fans has been unmatched all season. Injuries clearly limited how far Luton could've gone in these playoffs but everybody involved gave it 110% and they should be praised for that. Luton fans have an exciting season ahead of themselves, soon we will learn which players have been retained and who is moving on, and I'm sure manager Nathan Jones has a few players lined up to sign to strengthen his side. The Hatters will also feature next season against their rivals Watford, but this time fans will be in attendance.
Full Time: Huddersfield Town 1-0 Luton Town
(Aggregate 2-1 -Huddersfield progress to the final)
Thank you so much to everybody who has read and enjoyed my blogs over the course of the season. And a special thanks to those on Luton Outlaws who have helped me develop with regular feedback.
Jake
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