Luton 3 – 2 B’mouth

January 15, 2022 admin

Kal Naismith scored with the last kick of the game in the 97th minute as Luton produced a stunning 3-2 victory over Bournemouth, who drop important points in their automatic promotion bid.

A Lloyd Kelly own goal and a fine first Luton goal for Allan Campbell put the home side ahead in the first half, but Emiliano Marcondes pulled a goal back shortly after half-time.

A point looked to be saved by substitute Morgan Rogers late on as he fired into the net in the 78th minute, but Naismith tucked the ball into the bottom corner from outside the box deep in the 97th minute to the delight of the home support inside Kenilworth Road.

Blackburn’s victory against Cardiff on Saturday lunchtime means Bournemouth are now top of the Championship on 49 points on goal difference. Luton, meanwhile, move up into 13th on 32 points.

Bournemouth started brightly, but Luton grew as the first half progressed and Kelly’s own goal on the half-hour mark broke the deadlock. Elijah Adebayo’s low driven strike was kept out by the left foot of Mark Travers and ricocheted off Kelly into the net.

Six minutes later and Cameron Jerome saw his tap-in disallowed by the linesman as he strayed narrowly offside, but Luton did grab a second three minutes before half-time as Campbell fired in his first goal for the club into the bottom corner.

Bournemouth responded early on in the second half through Marcondes. Jack Stacey’s perfectly-weighted dinked cross was powerfully headed into the net by the Dane.

The visitors continued to push for an equaliser and Luton defended resolutely, but Scott Parker’s side looked like they had rescued a point late on. Substitute Jamal Lowe surged into the box and squared the ball back for Rogers to thump his first-time strike into the roof of the net.

But deep into stoppage time, Naismith produced a finish any striker would be proud of as the defender curled his low shot beyond Travers into the bottom corner to seal a dramatic victory for Luton.

Man of the Match – Ryan Christie

The Scottish winger was a constant problem down the right flank and combined well with Jack Stacey on the overlap. Luton’s defence struggled to deal with his pace and directness.