Luton could have been more clinical, says interim boss Harford

Posted Wednesday, March 13, 2019 by PA

Interim manager Mick Harford was delighted with Luton’s 1-0 win at relegation-threatened Bradford, but thought the League One leaders could have been more clinical.

Jack Stacey’s 16th-minute goal gave the Hatters a club-record 12th away win of the season and extended their unbeaten run to 24 matches.

Stacey and Elliot Lee came close to extending Luton’s lead shortly afterwards, while Danny Hylton missed from close range just after half-time.

Bradford enjoyed plenty of possession in the second half as they looked for an equaliser, but managed only one shot on target.

Harford said: “We carved them open in the first half, but we needed to be more clinical and we should have finished them off.

“Jack is an athletic lad and he took his goal exceptionally well with a clinical finish. We could have gone on to add two or three more in the first half alone.

“Bradford’s second-half performance belies their position in the league, but they never really troubled us. We showed a great defensive performance.

“Bradford have a good team and a good manager and if they carry on giving this type of performance they can get out of trouble.”

Gary Bowyer, who won his first match in charge when the Bantams beat Peterborough 3-1 at Valley Parade, said: “We had a right go. They are top of the league and there are lots of positives to take away from the match.

“I was disappointed we didn’t work the goalkeeper enough. I thought Nat Knight-Percival had a good chance from a corner in the first half and Hope Akpan had a good shot in the second half.

“We got into great areas and I thought we played well and how we want to play – pass the ball and move.

“We knew it would be a good challenge, but I was pleased with the character shown by the players. You could see how they reacted at the end what a big win it was for them. I wish them all the best.

“We’ve got to take lots of positives as to how I want us to play.

“We have laid the foundations for the next nine games and now it’s important we recover quickly and have a right go at Oxford on Saturday.”