Luton v Coventry

Ex-Hatter Gary McSheffrey’s return to Kenilworth Road culminated with the inevitable winning goal as he added to Stern John’s opener for a two-goal lead. An own goal from Ady Williams put the Town back in it, but The Sky Blues hung on for the points.

cSheffrey, who enjoyed two loan spells at Luton, and was very popular with the crowd, received a warm reception from the Hatters fans.

uton’s injury problems caused an unfamiliar look to the teamsheet with strikers Steve Howard, Warren Feeney, Enoch Showunmi and Rowan Vine all starting.

teve Robinson was injured during Friday’s training session and missed out, along with Coyne, Nicholls, Underwood, Davis and Perrett.

eter Holmes came in for Robinson, and Leon Barnett continued at left back where he did a good job at Watford. With Russ Perrett also injured it quickly became obvious that Steve Howard was to play in central defence, a job he did so well at Sheffield Wednesday last season.

oventry, conversely, were bringing back players from injury and Andrew Whing, Andy Morrell, Matt Heath and Don Hutchison all began the match.

ith neither team having a lot to play for it was always going to be a fairly open match and so it proved. Steve Howard allowed the ball to graze his arm while shepherding it out of play, which caused the first big appeal of the day for a Coventry penalty kick, in the 6th minute, but the referee was having none of it.

arly on Luton sat back and seemed to be taking a look at Coventry, who had begun the match well, but it was Luton who had the best chances of the first twenty minutes.

artin Fulop in the Sky Blues goal was definitely the busier of the two keepers and had to move smartly to tip a Brkovic shot round the post, and shortly after, Feeney was released by Showunmi only to drive the ball against Fulop. The Hungarian keeper is on loan to Coventry from Spurs, and he looked a good prospect.

owever, all Luton’s good work in the first twenty-five minutes was undone in a minute and a half of madness. Coventry had rarely threatened the Luton goal, but the hard working Whing crossed from the right wing to give Stern John an opportunity to nip ahead of Heikkinen to toe poke the ball home around the 28th minute mark.

hen, before Luton had settled down from that shock, Doyle released McSheffrey who shot well, but Beresford got down to it pushing it wide. However, McSheffrey followed it up and as Barnett challenged, the little Sheff slotted it in from an almost impossible angle for 2-0.

here was very little activity in the Coventry goalmouth after they had taken the lead as Luton tried to regroup and regain some shape. Showunmi was working hard and looked a better player than in recent weeks, and Barnett was looking quite secure in his unfamiliar role.

oventry’s confidence was high, and they started the second half well. Hutchinson was causing the Hatters problems and a corner from him gave McSheffrey a golden opportunity to put the game beyond the Town but he missed to the side.

ean Morgan and Keith Keane were brought on with Howard moving up to a more familiar role alongside Feeney. Luton looked more the part and Fulop denied Holmes at one end, as Bereford had just done at the other from a shot by Whing.

s Luton poured on the pressure, trying to get back into the game, the unlucky Feeney hit a superb drive goalwards, but it cannoned off the post. If it had only gone in, I’m sure it would have raised his confidence enormously. Over commitment to attack left the town a little light at the back again in the 66th minute when Andy Morrell got clear, but Beresford made a cracking save.

noch drove down the right wing, as Luton threw everything forward, and as he ducked inside and hit a cross cum shot, the ball was just touched by Williams, but enough to guide it into the net. Luton continued to attack in the closing stages, but could not find the quality finish to snatch the equaliser, and, to add to the Town manager’s problems, Barnett limped off in the 92nd minute.

Seconds Out! Vital Boxing is here!

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco