Hatters close on clean sheet record after latest shutout

Watertight Hatters are closing in on yet another record after they kept their 17th clean sheet of the campaign in Tuesday night’s 5-0 demolition of Wrexham, writes Mark Wood.
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It was their third shutout in a row and leaves them just five away from levelling the record of 22 set in 1996-97 and 2010-11.

They are currently keeping a clean sheet more than once every other game and skipper Ronnie Henry has been delighted by their fine form at the back, even though Andre Gray, with 24 goals for the season, and Luton’s attackers have been stealing the plaudits with 79 goals in just 32 games so far, including 17 in their last three.

He said: “That’s football isn’t it. I probably should have chosen my position a bit better, but that’s life.

“He’s always going to get the plaudits, but I’m happy with my performance and I’m sure Macca (Steve McNulty) and Scotty (Griffiths) and Tyles (Mark Tyler) and Frase (Fraser Franks) they’re all happy as well.

“Clean sheets are as important to us as scoring goals to be honest with you and we’re happy as a back five and doing the work on the training ground and we’re getting the rewards out there so I’m happy, don’t worry about that.”

Town’s frugality hasn’t been lost on boss John Still either, who yesterday (Wednesday) celebrated a year in the job.

He said: “No, I don’t (overlook it), because I know what’s important. It’s important that the back people know how to defend properly, it’s important the midfield people know how to defend properly, it’s important the front people know sometimes they have to run back, not just run forwards. Well done everyone.”

Goalscorer on the night Jake Howells was also keen to praise Town’s defence, but believes the whole team are contributing.

He added: “You can’t take away any credit from the back four and the goalie, the whole team I think are working hard to stop them scoring and you can’t take nothing away from the whole team for working hard and stopping them scoring.”