Jack Stacey strikes as Luton move five points clear at League One summit in win against second-bottom Bradford

Bradford City 0-1 Luton Town
                                                        Stacey (16)                          

Luton Town CEO Gary Sweet described the local council’s decision to grant approval of the Newlands Park development as ‘the biggest moment in the club’s history,’ but the Hatters’ win at Bradford on the following day felt just as significant in the context of their  League One title tilt.

The visitors edged a game of two halves at Valley Parade, with Jack Stacey scoring the only goal to secure a vital three points on a night where promotion rivals Barnsley and Sunderland played out a goalless draw at Oakwell.

The league-leaders moved through the gears in the opening stages despite playing on a pitch made sodden by Storm Gareth.

16 minutes had elapsed when Elliot Lee played a cross field ball Andrew Shinnie. The Scotsman embarked on a driving run, playing a one-two with James Collins before sliding into the path of marauding full-back Stacey who composed himself before firing into the bottom corner.

Stacey hunted another minutes later, jinking past Lewis O’Brien before shooting across goal. Bantams keeper Richard O’Donnell showed sharp reflexes to parry and Nat Knight-Percival cleared the danger.

Shinnie looked weightless, as he often does, gliding across even the boggiest of pitches. He dribbled forwards once more before stinging O’Donnell’s palms from 30 yards.

The travelling fans were in high spirits, singing the name of the 2020 consortium in light of their role in securing a new stadium for Luton at Power Court. ‘We’ve got a new home’ rejoiced the 1,044 on the end of the East Stand.

Chaos reigned from James Justin’s corner as the Hatters chased a second. The imposing Sonny Bradley headed across the area to Lee who somehow managed to head straight into the arms of O’Donnell from four yards.

The tide began to turn after Town’s patrolling defensive midfielder Alan McCormack hobbled off with a hamstring injury.

Jacob Butterfield’s inswinging corner was headed on by Hope Akpan. The home skipper’s attempt narrowly missed the far corner and Knight-Percival was inches away from applying the final touch, stumbling into the net.

Luton garnered another high quality chance at the start of the second half. Substitute Luke Berry reaches the byline before crossing to Danny Hylton. From six yards the former Oxford striker headed wide with O’Donnell rooted to the goal line.

O’Brien had more freedoms to roam in the absence of McCormack, and the midfielder on loan from Huddersfield fed Jermaine Anderson who crosses into the area. The Kop erupted in an indignant clamour as Hatters keeper James Shea punched clear. The officials failed to spot James Justin hauling down Knight-Percival.

League One top scorer Collins spurned a rare opportunity midway through the half, twisting and turning before blasting over the bar, but his workrate was exceptional as he sought to defend from the front.

After Butterfield and Akpan’s efforts flew over the bar, cries of desperation echoed around the old ground as second-bottom Bantams hunted an equaliser.

Shea felt the pressure as his goal-kicks continued to fly into touch in the swirling wind. Substitute Dan Potts misjudged another long ball as Paul Caddis booted forwards. David Ball was presented with a golden opportunity one-on-one with Shea, but the Londoner narrowed the angle and blocked with his legs.

O’Brien flattened Potts as Bradford continued to bombard the Luton box. The 5 ft 6 in then pushed the 6 ft 4 in Bradley and the defender stumbled back sarcastically, throwing his arms in the air to mock the strength of his opponent.

From a Luton perspective the fracas brought levity at a time of high pressure.

As the full-time whistle blew, Bradley and his stoic defensive partner Matty Pearson roared. Hatters boss Mick Harford and club captain Alan Sheehan celebrated a statement win as the Luton fans told Kazenga Lua Lua to ‘put the champagne on ice.’

While there is cause for optimism under new Bradford boss Gary Bowyer, only goal difference separates the Bantams and bottom-placed AFC Wimbledon.

Meanwhile, the Hatters  moved five points clear at the top, going a 24th consecutive league game unbeaten and a club record 12th undefeated away from home.




Match Facts
Bradford City
O'Donnell 7, Caddis 6.5, Knight-Percival 7, O'Connor 6.5, Chicksen 5.5, O'Brien 7, Akpan 6, Ball 6.5, (Clarke 78') 6, Butterfield 7.5, Anderson 6, Doyle 6.5, (Patrick 85') 5.5

Luton Town
Shea 6.5, Stacey 7.5, Pearson 7, Bradley 7, Justin 7, McCormack 6.5 (Berry 32') 7, Mpanzu 6.5, Shinnie 7.5, Lee 6.5 (Potts 74') 6, Hylton 6, Collins 7.5 (Cornick 82') 6.

Referee: Michael Salisbury
Attendance: 15,992 (1,044 away)