Luton Town Edge Out Derby in Close Encounter
Luton Town secured a hard-fought victory over Derby County in a closely contested match that saw both sides display grit and determination.
Edwards Reflects on ‘Good Ending’
Luton Town manager Rob Edwards admitted the match wasn’t a classic, but praised his team’s resilience in securing the win. Speaking to BBC Three Counties Radio, Edwards said, “I don’t think it was a great match, but it was a good ending for us. It was never going to be that pretty, the pitch is difficult now because of all the weather we’ve had – and it seems like we’ve had loads of games here as well.”
He continued, “The crowd stuck with us even though we weren’t playing great and somehow we found a way (to win). It was hard to get momentum and at one-nil it can create one or two doubts in players but the one thing we know we have got is a threat when we get free-kicks, corners and set-pieces.
He went on to praise goalkeeper Pelly, stating, “It wasn’t direct from them, but second and third phases, we just found a way. I’m relieved more than anything. Pelly caught it really well, he should be credited with it really.” The manager concluded, “We’re not at our strongest (at the moment) but no-one’s giving up, no-one’s going home, and we’re fighting and that’s what we’ll keep doing.”
Warne Praises Derby’s Performance Despite Loss
Derby boss Paul Warne, though disappointed with the result, expressed pride in his team’s performance. Speaking to BBC Radio Derby, Warne commented, “I thought first half at times we were a little bit too direct, but in the second we played with real personality, we created good chances and the lads defended really well.
He lamented the last few minutes of the game, saying, “The longer the game goes on, you just think ‘try and see it out’ and that’s my only criticism of our team, the last five or six minutes, they put it (pressure) on us and I believe both the goals were deflected so that’s a bit of luck we didn’t get.
Despite the loss, Warne remained positive, stating, “Weirdly, I leave here really proud of the performance and I’ve told the lads that. Sometimes the game is cruel and it was tonight. If you’d offered me a point at 70 or 80 minutes, I wouldn’t have took it because I felt really comfortable and thought we were going to get the second. When they asked questions in the last few minutes, we didn’t have the answers.”
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