' TOOTHLESS BLUEBIRDS '
By Glen Williams
Cardiff City 1 Luton Town 2
Cardiff City's lack of goal threat once again proved costly as Luton Town hit them for two second-half goals in quick succession to consign the Bluebirds to their third defeat of the campaign.
The Bluebirds were comfortable for the first 45 minutes of the match, but rarely threatened the Hatters' goal, a problem which is not new to Steve Morison's side this term.
Cardiff have just one goal in six games, in all competitions, and the dearth of creative spark and genuine opportunities in front of goal emboldened the visitors, who clicked into gear immediately after the break.
Luke Freeman latched on to Fred Onyedinma's cross to open the scoring before Gabriel Osho's effort from point-blank range ensured Nathan Jones' side took away all three points.
There was, however, time for a late consolation from Romaine Sawyers, who scored his second of the season in fine fashion, smashing a low shot home from 25 yards out.
The headline act before the game was Rubin Colwill being named on the bench after enjoying a positive outing against Preston at the weekend. However, after missing all of pre-season, it is understood it was purely precautionary to manage the youngster's fitness levels. Mark Harris was the man who came in for him; he was handed his first Championship start of the season, flanking Max Watters with Sheyi Ojo, who also came back into the starting XI.
Andy Rinomhota was another change in the heart of midfield, replacing Romaine Sawyers, while Callum O'Dowda's hip injury kept him out of the squad all together. The Irishman's absence afforded Everton loanee Niels Nkounkou his first start for the Bluebirds.
The early exchanges saw Luton dominate proceedings, but with very little to show for it inside the first 10 minutes. It was then when Cardiff had the best early chance, which seemed to ignite them into action.
Some lovely work from Nkounkou on the left preceded an inch-perfect pass inside to Watters, who cleverly spun his man on the edge of the box before firing a vicious low effort at goal. Unfortunately for Cardiff, Ethan Horvath was equal to it and tipped it around the corner.
It prompted a flurry of chances in the following minutes, one of which saw Ojo poke the ball just over the bar after some strong aerial work from Rinomhota. Another effort from range from Nkounkou was dragged wide, but City's endeavour was gratefully received by the applauding City fans.
Half-way through the first half saw the most chaotic period of the match. Some sloppy work in possession from Nkounkou gifted a chance to Elijah Adebayo, who tried to round Ryan Allsop, but the 'keeper did excellently to stand the forward up and stop his shooting angle. City's scramble defence then helped them nab the ball back before they embarked on an exhilarating run upfield. Rinomhota sprinted up the pitch and, through a combination of Mark Harris and Joe Ralls, the ball landed at Ojo's feet. The winger shifted the ball on to his left foot and curled a dangerous effort towards goal - but it bent narrowly wide.
Ralls himself tried his luck from distance not long after, but his well-struck but rising effort whistled over the Hatters' bar.
The visitors had half chances themselves, Adebayo in particular causing Nkounkou some problems, especially in the air, but there was nothing really of note to trouble Allsop, however the shot-stopper did get down low to keep one headed effort at bay.
It was a familiar story, though, all the good work and possession did not translate into meaningful chances or even goals. Luton, by contrast, carved out one excellent opportunity after the break and found the back of the net.
Substitute Fred Onyedinma, with his first touch of the ball, shifted it past Nkounkou and hit a great cross towards the penalty area, where Freeman was waiting. The Hatters man buried his first-time volley and put his side into the lead.
It was another cross not long after which cost City a second. James Bree lofted a free-kick towards the back post and, in truth, Luton players were queueing up to score, however it was substitute Gabriel Osho who was allowed to tap in.
Just like that, the atmosphere completely changed. Cardiff, who were so organised and calculated in the first half, were disjointed and feckless towards the end.
It was such a quick collapse by Cardiff, who went from being in complete control to being desperate and frantic. Sawyers' strike almost came out of nowhere five minutes from time. A speculative shot but one which was struck brilliantly. Cardiff will need more than that going forward, though.
It's a case of going back to the drawing board, as far as Cardiff City are concerned, and solving that problem in front of goal before Thursday's transfer deadline shuts.
Cardiff City XI: Allsop; Romeo, Ng, Kipre, Nkounkou; Wintle, Rinomhota (Sawyers 70), Ralls (Colwill 59); Ojo, Watters (Philogene 59), Harris.
Subs: Alnwick, Bagan, Simpson, Whyte.
Luton Town XI: Horvath; Potts, Lockyer, Burke (Onyedinma 45); Bree, Freeman (Osho 56), Clark, Bell; Campbell (Berry 87); Adebayo (Woodrow 87), Morris (Jerome 69).
Subs: Macey, Lansbury.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.