We could have won by more, says Luton boss Jones

Posted Wednesday, August 22, 2018 by PA

Hatters boss Nathan Jones felt his side could have enjoyed a greater margin of victory than the 2-0 win they secured against Southend United this evening.

Elliot Lee’s early strike and Danny Hylton’s penalty were enough on the night, but Jones said: “It could have been more, on the counter attack we had some wonderful opportunities and we should have killed the game off a lot sooner.

“But if someone had said, you’re going to come up against a Southend side, keep a clean sheet, you’re going to score two and say we should have won by more, then I would have taken that as these are a very good side.

“We had to defend our box fantastically well, which we did, we had to show a real cutting edge tonight, which we did.

“We looked solid, we looked strong. Yes we had to defend a few crosses, had to defend the first ball, and we did that and I’m thoroughly delighted as they’re a good side.

“We worked on a good start, to come out of the traps early and get a real foothold in the game.

“We didn’t want to chase the game and then when sides come out, you’ve seen what can happen.

“So we built into the game, got the first goal, brilliant to get it so early and then we went on from there.”

A disappointed Shrimpers manager Chris Powell felt his side never recovered from conceding so early, as he said: “There was plenty of effort by our lads but you can’t start a game like we did and expect to get a result.

“Yes, there was a long way to go but our game plan went out of the window in the second minute.

“Early goals change games completely. We didn’t have the drive to get the ball in the box and really test their keeper.

“We had half-chances but none on target. After the way we have been playing recently, that was disappointing.

“We were chasing it at 2-0 and didn’t want it to become three four or five as Mark Oxley twice made superb saves.

“It was one of those night where it hasn’t gone for us despite really good support.”

The hosts were ahead inside 90 seconds as Lee made no mistake from seven yards.

It was 2-0 on 33 minutes when Elvis Bwomono brought down Lee in the area and Danny Hylton slammed home the penalty.

Hylton could have doubled his tally moments after half time, sent through by Jorge Grant, but keeper Mark Oxley did well to save.

Town dominated the latter stages, Lee’s close-range blast parried by Oxley, the visiting keeper also denying Andrew Shinnie after the midfielder went through one-on-one.