Prolific Palmer nets first half double as Hatters beat Millers

A first half double by Kasey Palmer saw Luton Town secure another crucial three points in their bid for the League One play-offs with a 2-0 victory at Rotherham United this evening.

The Hatters looked like they were on course for a larger margin of victory at the break, before a spirited second half performance from their already relegated hosts meant Town had to dig in somewhat after the break to make it six wins from their last eight league contests. Going into the game, boss Jack Wilshere made two changes, Nahki Wells and Joe Johnson coming into the side for Ali Al-Hamadi and Mads Andersen.

Palmer tried to carry on where he left off at the weekend, driving forward from halfway only to drag wide from 20 yards. There was no stopping him on eight minutes as a patient build-up saw the Hatters keep possession in the Millers box, ending with Shayden Morris picking out a low cross that saw Palmer finish clinically, becoming the ninth Town player to score in five consecutive away games.

Luton then might have doubled their advantage with their next attack when Wells did well to hold play up and find Palmer whose one touch pass released Davy van den Berg only to scuff a shot that keeper Ted Cann could fall on easily. Van den Berg then played a glorious through ball to find Nigel Lonwijk of all people speeding away on the right, as he slid to knock the ball beyond the onrushing Cann, but the Millers had men back to clear the danger.

The Hatters needed former United defender Hakeem Odoffin to come to their rescue on 18 minutes as Cohen Lee’s volley looked to be flying in, only for the centre half to importantly get his head in the way. Town were dominating possession without appearing too threatening in the final third, as the danger appeared to be over confidence from the visitors, van den Berg losing the ball and a cross-shot flashing just wide of the post.

United then almost had a leveller out of nothing, a clearance hammered goalwards by Jamal Baptiste, requiring an alert Josh Keeley to parry away. Wells had an effort deflected behind, while just before the half hour, Town then broke away again, Palmer playing in van den Berg, but you got the feeling he just isn’t going to score for Luton, a defender nipping back to deny him a route to goal.

The visitors continued to play some excellent moves going forward, as a terrific pass by Walsh released Wells, his header back to Palmer saw the midfielder slice his half volley wide on the run. Rotherham had a rare opening when on-loan Leeds United youngster Harry Gray turned and rifled skywards.

The concern Town would not see their utter dominance turned into a second goal evaporated on 44 minutes when the same two combined again, Morris’s cross met perfectly by Palmer to glance in his second of the game and seventh since joining the club from Hull City in January. The second period saw Naismith’s corner headed out to Emilio Lawrence who rifled a first time attempt wide, with the impressive Liam Walsh also not getting the direction he required from 25 yards either.

The Hatters should have had a third on 56 minutes when Walsh released Lawrence with a superb reverse pass, which saw the attacker rifle goalwards, Cann parrying and then Wells following up to scoop his rebound against the underside of the bar from a matter of yards out. Rotherham almost made them pay instantly, as a dinked cross was met by Sam Nombe a few yards out but he could only head over.

Jack Holmes came off the bench for the hosts and looked lively, as he cut along the edge of the area and sent a tame shot at Keeley. The keeper looked like he might be beaten midway through the half as Town’s defence was split open, allowing Gray in, but Odoffin, back at his old stomping ground, hurled himself in the way to get a crucial block in, as Holmes then fashioned another decent chance, only to shoot over the bar once more.

With the hosts enjoying far more of the game than it looked like they ever would, Luton made a double sub to try and wrest control back, Ali Al-Hamadi and George Saville entering the fray. The pair helped Town do the job, as although Holmes had some good moments, Odoffin read the danger excellently at the back, ensuring the visitors were able to secure another crucial three points.

Millers: Ted Cann, Joe Rafferty ©, Zak Jules, Sam Nombe, Ar’Jany Martha (Denzel Hall 62), Jamal Baptiste, Harry Gray, Emmanuel Adegboyega, James Clarke (Jack Holmes 62), Dan Gore, Cohen Lee (Dru Yearwood 46). Subs not used: Ben Childs, Jordan Hugill, Jack Holmes, Gabriele Biancheri, Harrison Duncan.

Hatters: Josh Keeley, Nigel Lonwijk, Hakeem Odoffin, Kal Naismith (C), Joe Johnson, Emilio Lawrence (Sverre Sandal 86), Liam Walsh (George Saville 74), Davy van den Berg (Gideon Kodua 61), Kasey Palmer, Shayden Morris (Jake Richards 61), Nahki Wells (Ali Al-Hamadi 73). Subs not used: James Shea, Devante Cole. Booked: Clark 44, Odoffon 90, Keeley 90. Referee: Sam Mulhall. Attendance: 7,497 (650 Hatters).