Owls make a point at Luton

The Owls promotion push continued with an important point taken from league leaders Luton Town. Wednesday's festive season form has been nothing short of sensational having gone into the game on the back of three wins on the trot, and six wins from their last eight.

Trinidad & Tobago forward Kenwyne Jones continued his goal scoring bonanza when he puts the Owls ahead on the stroke of half-time after a terrible defensive mix-up by Hatters' keeper Beresford and one of his defenders. It was Jones' fourth in four games.

But Luton danger man Steve Howard, a target last year by former boss Chris Turner, levelled matters straight after the break. The game threw chances to both sides but neither could snatch the all important second goal and in the end both had to settle for a point.

Half-time: Luton 0-1 Owls

This report from BigOwl:

Have to say what a tremendous following today down in not so sunny Luton. We outsang their biggest crowd of the season and matched them in most departments on the pitch. The game was completely end to end virtually from start to finish and we constantly made chances especially towards the end of the game.

Kenwe's goal came out of nothing as we had to employ some desperate defending and then the ball out of defence straight up the other end and as their keeper looked favourite to claim the ball he was challenged by Jones and as the ball ran loose the big guy slammed the ball into the net just before half time.

Sadly we were slow out of the blocks at the start of the second half. Not only did they manage a shot which hit the bar and came down on the line but then the ball came out to one unmarked Luton player who crossed it for another unmarked player (Howard) to score.

They had lots of chances through the game but so did we. How O'Brien failed to score after a scintillating move is beyond me and some dodgy refereeing robbed us of a penalty after Kenwe was hacked down and also after 3 players crunched Matty the ref waved play on with Hamshaw lying on the ground.

In the final minute we had a flurry of corners and attacks, the last of which saw Kenwe flick the ball goalbound and as we rose to celebrate beresford managed somehow to catch the ball almost behind him and stop it on the line. Although perhaps in fairness Luton played the better football and had slightly better of the possession, we always looked likely to snatch a winner and it almost feels like 2 points dropped.

Lucas 8/10 some cracking saves and always looked safe
Bullen 6/10 some of his passing was awful, the weak link in todays defence
Lee 7/10 solid as a rock
Wood 8/10 getting better all the time and starting to fill out muscle wise
Heckingbottom 7/10 best Ive seen of him for a while
JP 6/10 looked a little jaded and his crossing wasnt up to par
O'Brien 7/10 good in that holding role and very nearly scored a spectacular one
Whelan 7/10 solid performance that belies his age
Hamshaw 8/10 gave his all and got a standing ovation when subbed late on
MacLean 6/10 subdued performance from the lad
Jones 7/10 his persistence made the goal, thats 4 in 4

Sub
Brunt

Ref 6/10

Man of the Match - I'm gonna give it to Wood. Direct doesnt have to mean unexciting as the Owls proved today.

Paul Sturrock's post match comments:
"It was a good game and the fans appreciated it. It's a difficult place to come and we're happy to be going home with something. We knew it was going to be difficult. We had to defend as sternly as possible and hope to catch them on the break. "

"Some of the players might have proved a point to themselves today. Maybe there is starting to be a belief about them. They are willing to learn now and listen. That was missing when I first came here. There is definitely a togetherness to bite and scratch for results. Then, when you have ability - which we have - you become dangerous."

"Both keepers made great saves in the second half. Joey should have done much better with his finish at the front post but they've had chances at the other end. Coming away from here with something was important to us. Hopefully we can use this as a catalyst."

AnzOwl's verdict: A clear indication that Paul Sturrock's side mean business this season. A good result.