Ohashi Stuns Luton as 10-Man Blackburn Snatch Crucial Win at Kenilworth
Luton Town’s survival battle took a massive blow on Saturday as they fell to a painful 1-0 defeat at home against Blackburn Rovers, despite the visitors being reduced to 10 men. In a game filled with frustration and missed chances for the Hatters, it was Yuki Ohashi who popped up with the decisive moment — and what a moment it was.
You could feel the tension from the first whistle at Kenilworth Road. Luton were on a five-game unbeaten run, their best spell of the season, and fans were starting to believe in the great escape. But the dream took a hit in the 52nd minute when Ohashi, with what was Blackburn’s first shot on target, coolly finished with the outside of his boot after a slick move involving Ryan Hedges. That made it nine goals for the season for the Japanese forward — and arguably his most important yet.
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Just six minutes later, Blackburn’s Kristi Montgomery picked up a second yellow and got his marching orders. Surely, now, Luton would come back into it. They had the momentum, the crowd, and the numbers. But what they lacked was composure in front of goal.
They absolutely dominated possession — nearly 60% — and fired 18 shots, but only managed to hit the target three times. Millenic Alli came close more than once, even rattling the crossbar in stoppage time, but nothing would fall for the Hatters. Blackburn, on the other hand, showed grit, putting up a monumental defensive effort, clearing the ball 46 times and winning key duels all over the pitch.
Valérien Ismaël, managing just his first win with Rovers, will be proud of how his side battled through over 30 minutes plus 12 minutes of injury time with a man down. They still have an outside chance at the play-offs, sitting six points off the top six with four matches remaining. But for Luton, the worry deepens. Plymouth’s last-minute win elsewhere means Luton now sit level on points with the Championship’s bottom side, and remain three points adrift of safety.
Despite the energy and work rate, the home side just couldn’t find that spark in the final third. It’s now a serious uphill battle for new manager Matt Bloomfield. The Hatters haven't left the relegation zone since their defeat to QPR three months ago — Rob Edwards’ last game in charge — and Saturday’s loss might just be one that comes back to haunt them.
As for Blackburn, it's a reminder that sometimes all it takes is one moment, one chance, and one flash of quality to turn the tide.
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