Hatters determined to hold on to top spot

With former leaders Cambridge United being held to a goalless draw at Nuneaton, Town, who were without unwell boss John Still, surged past them to go a point clear at the top with a better goal difference, although the U’s still have a game in hand.

Jake Howells, 22, who came through the ranks at Kenilworth Road and has scored 22 times in 257 games for the club, said: “Since I’ve been here we haven’t been top of the league at the end of the year, so going into 2014 top of the league is a massive opportunity and I can’t wait for it now.”

Young midfielder Matt Robinson was equally enthusiastic, as he said: “That’s what it’s about, it’s about getting the three points and getting top of the league.

“Cambridge slip up and that’s what we’ve been waiting for. We just keep charging on and battering teams into the ground which is what we’re doing at the moment.

“It’s a fantastic feat to have, standing top of the league when the year changes, but there’s still a long way to go and hopefully we’ll be there by the end of the season as well.”

Experienced full-back Scott Griffiths realised Town had hit top spot while out on the field after hearing a shout from the crowd.

He revealed: “You can’t ask for much more than that can you. It’s a tremendous feeling. When I heard one of the fans shout Cambridge drew I was buzzing at that point.

“I was buzzing anyway with the 6-0 result, but to hear that, that’s a tremendous thing.

“It’s a shame the gaffer couldn’t be here to celebrate with us but I’m sure he’ll be celebrating in his own little way.”

It was another goal feast for the Hatters as they made it 55 goals in 25 games this season to become the top scorers in all five divisions.

Robinson hailed their goalscoring abilities, saying: “You could see from the Alfreton game when we came out flying it’s just goal, goal, goal, and then it’s comfortable for the rest of it.

“I thought we were unlucky to only be 1-0 up at half time. We had chances, their keeper pulled out an outstanding save from Alex Lawless.

“Then we came out second half and just said look, we’ve got to push on, and then you could see as soon as one of them went in the rest start flowing and 6-0 speaks for itself.”

Quite often this season Town have hit their straps from the off as they thrashed Alfrton 5-0 and beat Gateshead 4-2 and Barnet 2-1 on the back of superb first half showings.

Griffiths said: “We thought we’d change it up a bit, just to keep the fans on their toes.

“It’s good that we can be scoring first, second half, from various different positions on the field, including crazy left-backs.”

Town’s pass and move football on the day was perfectly suited to take advantage of Harriers’ reduced number late on according to Howells.

He said: “I think we did start to pass the ball more happily and consistently. everyone got used to having the ball at their feet instead of going a bit longer which we usually do.

“Don’t get me wrong it works, but I think when a side’s got one less you’ve got to wear them down a bit and we wore them down and got three more goals. It was a brilliant performance from everyone.”

Griffiths himself was not happy with his first half showing as the highly-rated Joe Lolley looked to weave his magic.

But he recovered to put in a better second half display as he snuffed his opposite number out and got forward to good effect.

“I would say a better second half than my first half personally,” he said. “I’m not very pleased with the way I played the first half, not the team, just myself.

“I think the team put everything into it first and second half, come out on top, passing it well, moving well and we got a good result from it.”

And a superb showing and goal was another milestone in his progression after a slow beginning to his Hatters career.

Griffiths said: “I didn’t have a great start, I played all right, but nowhere near to what I feel my potential is.

“I haven’t had a consistent season for a while in terms of amount of games played, but I’m getting back into it properly, feeling good for it and feeling good for the boys around me as well.

“They’re all a great help and having the fitness regime that I’m used to, as I was under him (Still) for basically six years before, knowing what it’s about, knowing how we play, it’s a big help.”

Joyous scenes engulfed Kenilworth Road at the final whistle with supporters finally beginning to let themselves believe this can finally be Luton’s year for promotion under boss Still.

Robinson relished the atmosphere, adding: “It’s a good feeling and then at the end to hear the support of the supporters was booming.

“When every goal went in you could hear them and then the chants, all that lifts you up and you want to go and get more.

“They were shouting they wanted seven, we’d like to get seven but I think six is a satisfactory number to win by.”

For all the latest Luton Town FC news, reports, stats, player profiles, live match updates, MOM poll, prediction table and a complete fixture list, visit our Hatters Microsite.