Luton manager Rob Edwards enjoys ’emotional’ win over former club Watford

Posted Saturday, April 01, 2023 by PA

Luton boss Rob Edwards admitted it was an emotional moment for him when earning a 2-0 derby victory over his former side Watford.

Gabe Osho opened the scoring in the first half before Allan Campbell prodded home from close range in stoppage time at a buoyant Kenilworth Road.

The Town chief, who was in charge at Vicarage Road earlier in the campaign, said: “It meant a lot to us, I think the players showed that in their performance, so all round a really, really good day.

“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 they were outstanding, so yes, a really enjoyable day.

“They had some moments, they had the first five minutes of the second half when we couldn’t get the pressure on the ball, then 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 (Sarr) comes on, we dealt with it very, very well.

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

After a quiet start to proceedings, the Hatters went close when Hornets keeper Daniel Bachmann saved superbly from Campbell, before Luton were in front on 28 minutes, Osho sweeping home Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu’s cross.

Carlton Morris was denied from range by Bachmann, while after the break, Watford threatened occasionally. Jeremy Ngakia’s header bounced wide and Imran Louza’s low shot was easy for Ethan Horvath.

Town had their moments, Elijah Adebayo’s effort was blocked before Campbell pounced in stoppage time.

Hornets boss Chris Wilder said: “The best team won, that’s why they’re 12 points clear of where we are, that’s why they’ll be fighting for something at the end of the season, and if it’s going to be this between now and the end of the season it’s going to be mid-table obscurity.

“No complaints about the result, they’ve got it going forward and we’re just stop-start.

“At times I see some really good things and at times I see some things that are head-shaking moments.

“When I took the job and I looked at the players, I thought there’s some really good players individually, but trying to bring them together as a team is the hardest thing. The moments when we needed to step up to the plate and work as a team and play as a team, we didn’t.

“There’s no hiding place, there wasn’t today as it’s the first time our supporters have attended the game for 17 years.

“It was a big game and it just seemed a bigger game for them, knowing what a local derby is all about and this is a proper derby. The players who played for the opposition did their job, played as a team and got the result they deserved.”