Lawless earns huge praise on match-winning return

Striker Paul Benson lavished praise on midfielder Alex Lawless after the Welshman produced a starring role in his first start of the campaign for Town during Tuesday night’s 3-0 win over Dartford, writes Mike Simmonds.
Alex LawlessAlex Lawless
Alex Lawless

Last year’s player of the season had been forced to sit on the sidelines due to a niggling injury, but was the creative force Hatters have been crying out for at times, setting up Benson’s first and also notching Town’s third.

Benson said: “Alex made a massive difference. Shaun (Whalley) is a good player, Shaun will be needed this season, he’s got elements of his game that we’ll need, but Alex is a seasoned professional.

“He knows what he’s doing, knows his role and I think he came in seamlessly. He showed what a good professional he is as he can come in after being out so long and looked like he hasn’t missed a game all season.

“It’s very good and a massive help for me when I’ve got players like him, Gutts (Luke Guttridge) and Howellsy (Jake Howells) on the other side.

“When the ball comes up to me I’ve got options and it’s very easy to then play one touch and two touch and find a pass.

“It makes my game so much easier when I’ve got players like that around.”

Manager John Still admitted that Hatters had missed Lawless badly in the opening games of the campaign.

He continued: “Alex has trained really hard since he’s been fit and if ever there was a game to bring him back, I think it was going to be a home game.

“I played him for a bit longer than I wanted to, I only wanted to play him for an hour, but we had a lot of the ball, and he didn’t have to do a lot coming back the other way.

“We know he’s a good player, you miss good players whoever you are, and he’s a good player and we’ve missed him.”

Lawless himself was delighted with his first start and believes playing for over an hour will stand him in good stead for Saturday’s visit of Lincoln City.

He said: “It was important how we reacted from Friday’s result (defeat to Wrexham) and showed that with a result and a performance.

“I’m happy as that will help me kick on and get my match fitness up as quick as I can.

“It was nice for that bit of freedom to attack and I think the team took that tactic on really well as we got right at them.

“We rattled them a bit and it just seemed like we were up for it more than them.

“We’ve got a big squad and the lads are all pushing to get in the team, so I’ve got some good match fitness in again and hopefully will get in the team at the weekend.”

Town’s fans were quick to show their appreciation for the crowd favourite, with a standing ovation when he was replaced by Shaun Whalley near the end.

A clearly taken aback Lawless added: “It’s not about me, it’s about the team and winning, but things like that do wonders for my confidence.

“It’s just a great feeling at a club like this with so many fan. It’s hard to explain how nice it is.”

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