LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Christian Eriksen of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Manchester United FC at Selhurst Park on September 21, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Watford clincher was one of the ‘best feelings’ of Luton striker’s career.
Brown thrilled to get off the mark in derby victory
Hatters striker Jacob Brown admitted that scoring Luton’s third goal of an absolutely terrific 3-0 victory over local rivals Watford on Saturday was without doubt one of the ‘best feelings’ of his career.
The 26-year-old had started on the bench as he is still feeling his way back to full match fitness after suffering a lengthy knee injury which wrecked the second half of his first season at Kenilworth Road. Having made a cameo against Plymouth Argyle, started the 2-2 draw with Oxford United and then come on in the 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United, Brown was introduced midway through the second half at the weekend for striker Carlton Morris, as part of manager Rob Edwards’ last permitted change.
He was immediately into the action on the left hand side of Town’s attack, seeing one shot deflect wide, before his moment came as the clock ticked into stoppage time. A long ball from goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski saw the striker get away from Ryan Porteous, the Hornets defender claiming he had been fouled by the Scottish international.
Referee Stephen Martin didn’t fall for the under-fire centre half’s antics though, allowing Brown to race away, cut inside Angelo Ogbonna and then blast into the bottom corner, leaving keeper Daniel Bachmann motionless before setting off to celebrate wildly with those in the Kenny End, quickly being mobbed by his jubilant team-mates who knew the job was done.
Speaking afterwards, the forward, who was on target for the first time since the 2-1 defeat to Brentford back in December 2023, said: “I would have been very annoyed if it was a foul as I didn’t really touch him too much, I didn’t think it was a foul. When I got it under control, it was just make sure I hit the target. I’d cut in on to my stronger foot, just shot, it went in and everything was just madness from there. It was one of the best feelings as I’ve been out for so long.
“It really meant a lot to me and for my first goal of the season to be in this game, it was really good. I back myself to score when given the chance and it’s what I’ve been working hard for and I just want to keep building from there. From the minute the fixtures came out, I wanted to make sure I scored in this game. When I was sat on the bench, as soon as I came on, I knew we had a job to do, make sure we see out the game, but when the chance came, and it went in, I was honestly so buzzing. I’m probably going to watch it back a lot!”
Brown was one of five alterations that Edwards had to make on the day, as with Tom Holmes, Reece Burke, Tahith Chong and Tom Krauß all forced off with injuries and Morris tiring after just returning from being sidelined himself, it meant Daiki Hashioka, Joe Johnson, Marvelous Nakamba and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu were also called upon after the break.
