Soccer
Jack Wilshere hails Luton’s desire after win over Stockport
Luton boss Jack Wilshere hailed his side’s defensive efforts as they earned their first clean sheet of the season in beating Stockport 2-0 at Kenilworth Road.
What made Wilshere even happier was that it came after his side were thumped 5-2 by Mansfield on Sunday, as second-half goals from Nahki Wells and Callum Marshall were enough to claim all three points.
He said: “It’s really big, really important. It’s not an easy thing to do as well, especially as I didn’t think we found our rhythm.
“We did a little bit at times, but we weren’t able to sustain it and they’re a good team, they play good football and they put you under pressure, so the mentality, the desire, the resilience was what impressed me the most tonight and how proud I am of the players for doing that.
“We conceded five goals on Sunday, where there were so many things that were wrong with it, but I think the biggest thing that I felt in the dressing room, for the next 24 hours was a little bit of shock from everyone, myself, the players, the staff, especially after the run we’ve been on.
“To come back and produce that type of performance, with energy and desire like that, to defend our box, to protect everything, when we lost the ball, they played through our press, to run back and get set, before pressing again, I’m really proud of them.”
A goalless first half saw Stockport go close when Harry Wood’s shot was tipped over by Josh Keeley, before Wells was denied by a superb Ollie Whatmuff save.
Wells then opened the scoring on 50 minutes from Harrison Ashby’s cross-shot, before County’s Ollie Norwood saw his free-kick hit the inside of the post.
Substitute Marshall curled home a magnificent 25-yarder to double Luton’s lead on 76 minutes.
A disappointed County boss Jim McNulty added: “I thought it was a very tight game. I thought the first 20 minutes were really edgy, both teams trying to find an advantage, a way to hurt the opposition which wasn’t achieved by anyone.
“The home crowd were quietening down a lot and we started to create moments that looked like almost clear opportunities.
“We limited Luton to next to nothing. I don’t think we deserved to lose. I feel like at the very minimum we deserved a draw, but it wasn’t to be.
“Luton had that quality this evening that we just didn’t. I’m really surprised we didn’t score, but that happens sometimes. We’ll play far worse than this evening and win.”
