Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Luton Town and Reading at Kenilworth Road as Harry Cornick took advantage of a goalkeeping blunder to help seal the Hatters' spot in the play-offs.
Saturday 7 May 2022 16:09, UK
Harry Cornick's moment of quick-thinking on the stroke of half-time saw Luton secure their Championship play-off place with a 1-0 victory over Reading.
Up against a side who had nothing to play for, a win was all the hosts needed and they managed it thanks to Cornick's 13th goal of the season.
Any result might have done for the hosts depending on scores elsewhere while with Middlesbrough and Millwall going on to lose, it meant events at Kenilworth Road actually didn't matter a great deal in the end.
Town wasted a glorious chance in the opening minute as Jordan Clark sent Cameron Jerome clean through but the experienced striker could only shoot low down at Orjan Nyland, who saved comfortably.
Allan Campbell then fired over the bar on the run from Jerome's knockdown as Town looked to make a fast start to proceedings, Campbell also heading straight at Nyland and Sonny Bradley putting James Bree's free-kick too close to the Royals stopper.
Jerome had another effort when meeting Reece Burke's cross but couldn't keep his header down.
Reading threatened to spoil the party when Ovie Ejaria broke into the box but his deflected attempt was parried by the body of Matt Ingram.
At the other end, Bree tried his luck from a free-kick which did not miss the bottom corner by much.
Town then took the lead on the stroke of half-time with a goal Nyland will not want to see back again.
After gathering Amari'i Bell's low cross, he took his time before dropping the ball to the floor to clear, only to fail to see Cornick lurking behind him.
The Luton attacker nipped in to take a touch and slot the ball into the net for a huge goal in Town's play-off bid.
After the break, Cornick was first to show once more, his header going over the top from Burke's delivery.
Town stayed on the front foot, though, a rebound falling to Bree 25 yards from goal as he curled narrowly wide of the target before Jerome fashioned a shooting chance all for himself, crashing his effort against the woodwork and away.
Reading went close when Michael Morrison reached a deep cross at the back post, his header rebounding off keeper Ingram before Yakou Meite dragged wide from the edge of the box.
Bradley did superbly to block from Morrison as the centre-back had a go from range, slicing tamely wide of the goal.
The final few minutes turned into a celebration for the Hatters' faithful, safe in the knowledge their season was extended by a further two games and hopefully a final at Wembley.
Semi-final first legs
Friday May 13, 7.45pm - Luton vs Huddersfield
Saturday May 14, 3pm - Sheff Utd vs N Forest
Semi-final second legs
Monday May 16, 7.45pm - Huddersfield vs Luton
Tuesday May 17, 7.45pm - N Forest vs Sheff Utd
Play-off final
Sunday, May 29 2022
Luton's Nathan Jones: "It's relief at the minute. Every time we get promoted, or we do something, it's relief. It was a little bit more euphoric when we stayed up against Blackburn (in 2020) but I'm just so proud, so proud of the group. I'm really pleased we didn't rely on anyone else, lose the game and it be an anti-climax, we had to do it ourselves. To get to 75 points which we predicted, it's a wonderful Championship season and success for us realistically is making sure we don't go out of the league. Well we might have an opportunity to go out of the league, just at a different end.
"I thought we had a really good start, tinge of disappointment that we didn't get an early goal as that would have settled everyone and then the second goal would have settled everyone even more. But it doesn't make a difference, we know we can keep clean sheets, we know we can defend our box, they had one chance really and that front four is as good as any in the Championship. If (Yakou) Meite, (Lucas) Joao, (Ovie) Ejaria and (Junior) Hoilett are at it, you will struggle to contain those. I thought we defended really well, limited them to very little, and I'm really pleased."
Reading interim manager Paul Ince: "I'm just glad it wasn't a game we had to get something from. To be fair to [Nyland], he made a wonderful save in the second half, tipped one on to the bar, but it's just the defining moments of the game. You don't like to see any goalkeeper, I've seen enough back in the day, these things happen but you just don't want them to happen to you or to your goalkeeper.
"It's something he'll get over, he's a big, strong lad, he'll be devastated, obviously, yes it's a mistake, as you always look over your shoulder, but I was fine with him and he kept us in the game second half. I'm just glad we didn't have to win the game or draw the game and that's a credit to the players, credit to the club, to the fans, who have stuck with us and even second half, we played ever so well. We were the best team, had some chances, but I'm so, so pleased for Nathan. We did our pro licence together and they've shown togetherness, as they are working class people, and what you can achieve if you stick together. I'm pleased for him as he's done an unbelievable job."
