Published: 15/03/2010 11:54 -
Updated: 16/03/2010 11:41
New boy Simon Heslop gets straight into the action against Wrexham
Goals win games but Hatters’ players Tom Craddock and new-signing Simon Heslop were both keen to stress the importance of a clean sheet after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Wrexham.
“It’s our first clean sheet at home since we beat Barrow last year so that’s the most pleasing thing other than the win,” he said. “We defended the lead well which is something we perhaps haven’t done at times this season.”
Heslop, who signed on-loan from Championship side Barnsley on Friday, had an impressive debut in the heart of midfield and told how boss Richard Money praised his side’s defensive work in a tense second half.
“Speaking to the lads after the game they said that’s the first clean sheet they’ve kept at home for a while so that was something the gaffer said afterwards he was delighted with,” said Heslop.
“In the first half we were really good and then second half was pretty level in the first 15 minutes and if we’d have scored then it could have been three or four. When we didn’t, it became more difficult and we had to show discipline to get through the game.”
The fixture was settled by Craddock’s wonderful left foot strike in the 36th minute that capped a vintage first half for the Hatters and the striker described it as ‘having power’ modestly adding: “The goalkeeper could only tip it onto the bar and it was a bit of luck it went in.
“I practice with my left foot every day in training. Obviously I’ve played wide on the left at times this season so I’ve had to use my left foot probably a bit more than normal and it’s always nice to see something you’ve worked on in training come off on the pitch.”
On the subject of the much-maligned Kenilworth Road turf, both players agreed it’s getting better as the sun makes a welcome reappearance in South Bedfordshire.
Craddock said: “The pitch was a bit drier and it’s improving as the weeks go on. So hopefully that will mean mean more performances like the one we gave in the first half.”
Heslop explained how the Hatters combat the mud saying: “It’s not great – everyone knows that – but you have to play sensible football on it. There’s no point trying to play like Brazil on that pitch. You have to hit the front man early, win your challenges and play in their final third.
“There are times when you need to put your foot on the ball and settle it down but it’s up to the individual. When we were under pressure in the final 20 minutes it was good to play a couple of simple passes and slow the tempo of the game down.”
The 22-year-old has been out on loan to conference sides Tamworth, Kidderminster and Kettering before and has found first team opportunities limited at Oakwell. He said: “I’ve only had one game in the last couple of months so it was good to be out there. It was hard work, especially at the end. Hopefully I’ll be stronger in the next game.”
Heslop played alongside Keith Keane in midfield and couldn’t help but be impressed by the Irish U21 star’s tour de force as well as the Hatters’ support: “It’s important to have hard-working players like Keane alongside you because you’re not always going to get the run of the ball and on this pitch the ball bobbles around and you have to get your challenges in.
“The crowd was brilliant – the fans really got behind the lads. If it’s like that in the remaining games they’ll be like a 12th man out there for us.”
With three wins on the bounce and Craddock bang in form the Teessider cannot wait for the remaining ten fixtures as Hatters lie just five points behind league leaders Stevenage.
“It’s a nice habit to get into so hopefully we can keep it going til the end of the season,” Craddock said.
“We aren’t giving up the ghost of winning the league until it’s mathematically impossible. In the first half we played really well and in the second we ground out the result and dug in. At this stage of the season that’s what it’s all about and hopefully the teams above us will start feeling the pressure.
“We want to take it to four wins on the bounce against Kidderminster and put the pressure on the teams above us. We’re starting to look strong and if we can carry on they’re bound to feel pressure.”
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