Jones gives 'all the thanks' to Luton keeper Keeley for crucial penalty save

Luton attacker Izzy Jones was keen to give goalkeeping hero Josh Keeley ‘all the thanks’ for saving the penalty that he had conceded during Town’s marvellous 3-0 victory at leaders Stockport County on Saturday.

The 22-year-old, who moved to Kenilworth Road from Premier League Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, had been called on in the first half at Edgeley Park, coming off his line well when the impressive Nathan Lowe beat a slipping Mads Andersen to a ball into the box, the stopper out quickly to repel with his legs.

Keeley then had to get a glove on another dangerous cross into the box, Kyle Wootton unable to convert the loose ball, as he was thankful to the hosts’ wayward finishing, the League One table-toppers unable to capitalise on a number of good opportunities, with some erratic efforts that flew into the home fans behind the goal. After the break, and with Town 2-0 to the good thanks to goals from Jake Richards and Cohen Bramall, came quite possibly the turning point in the contest, as Jones ran across Odin Bailey when he burst into the area, shoulder-barging him to the ground, referee Josh Smith quickly whistling and pointing to the spot.

Having been unable to save either of the two penalties he has faced this season, that in the 4-3 win over Forest Green Rovers and also during Wilshere’s first game in charge against Mansfield, a 2-0 loss, this time Keeley did come to the rescue, as he dived to his right to get a strong hand on Lowe’s effort, with Kal Naismith reacting quickest to hammer the loose ball away to scenes of sheer delight from the travelling 1,000-plus fans behind the goal, who celebrated even more wildly than either of Town’s first two goals.

Speaking afterwards, Jones said: “Even though I gave away the pen, it was fifty-fifty, but a pen’s a pen. At the same time I didn’t think they would score the pen, I’ve every confidence in Josh. When we do penalties in training, he saves a lot, so I was very confident he would save it. He dug me out, so I’ve got to give him all the thanks for that.”

There shouldn’t have been any real surprise that Keeley was up to the task though against the other Hatters in the division, as it was on the same ground that he had starred when on loan at Leyton Orient last year, saving from Jack Diamond as the O’s won their League One play-off semi-final 4-1 on penalties. Having denied Lowe, the ex-Irish U21 international went on to prevent Wootton’s low shot after Town had move 3-0 in front, and then unfurled another full length fingertip save when Malik Mothersille’s cross deflected off the head of Wells and appeared to be arrowing into the corner of the net.

It means that Keeley, who is yet to miss a minute of league action this term, is now leading the way for clean sheets in the division, with seven from his 14 appearances, while his four saves took him up to 31 in total, the 10th highest, with his save percentage at 68.2 percent, the 16th best in the division, although ninth from those who have played more than 10 matches.

Discussing his efforts and also denying Lowe just when it mattered most, boss Jack Wilshere added: “You need moments like that and he’s growing Josh. Since I’ve been here he’s been growing in confidence and presence. He’s excellent with his feet, he’s making some good saves now and he’s got a good future. He can definitely help us this year.”