Nahki Wells: to have a real hand in that victory means world to me
Nahki Wells is “over the moon” after his man-of-the-match performance propelled Luton Town to a 3-1 victory against Stockport County in the EFL Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
The Bermuda striker struck in the 39th minute and again in second-half stoppage time as the Hatters came from behind to secure victory.
Luton fell behind to Adama Sidibeh’s eleventh-minute strike before Emilo Lawrence equalised in the 22nd minute to set the stage for Wells’s heroics that landed former Arsenal player Jack Wilshere his first trophy as a manager.
“I’m over the moon and it’s surreal to be man of the match, score a double and win a cup considering the season has been tough and up-and-down,” Wells told The Royal Gazette.
“I didn’t have any doubts that this squad was capable of a performance like that. We were fully deserving of the win and to have a real hand in that victory means the world to me.
“It’s been an amazing day. The fans and everyone involved with Luton Town deserved that because as you know it’s been a really tough season. A lot of adversity, a lot of tough moments between the players, the group, the management, the staff and the fans for what’s gone on in the past and what’s happened in the last two previous seasons with the double relegations.
“But this is a real step in the right direction and a catalyst performance that hopefully can help us find a way to go unbeaten for the remainder of the season and get one of those play-off spots. I’m over the moon and this is a really good team performance.”
Wells was doubtful in the lead-up to the final after experiencing discomfort in his groin in Luton’s 3-0 win against AFC Wimbledon last Monday, but was given the nod by Wilshere to retain his spot in the starting XI.
“Credit to the physiotherapists and doctors for all the work they did to help get me through today,” he said.
“It’s only fair that I give them that credit and huge credit to the manager for having the bravery to make that decision considering I’ve trained once in two weeks and then was able play 90 minutes today and play a pivotal part.
“Huge credit to him because it paid dividends for myself and for the team. I’m just grateful that he had that trust and belief in me.
“Great managers make big decisions that they get right, and he did and I am just grateful that I was able to do that.
“I did my job. I haven’t always done that this season but to be man of the match and score a couple of important goals, and really good goals at that, is something that will live with me for ever.”
Wells was making his sixth appearance at Wembley, having previously scored at the iconic stadium against Northampton in Bradford’s 3-0 triumph in the 2013 League Two play-off final, to become the first Bermudian to do so at the new Wembley Stadium.
In the first cup final between Luton and Stockport, who both share the same nickname, it was latter who drew first blood when forward Sidibeh took possession of a long ball over the top and fired past Luton goalkeeper James Shea.
However, the goal did little to knock Luton off stride as Lawrence took Jordan Clark’s pass before rifling a low effort between the legs of Stockport goalkeeper Corey Addai to bring the teams level.
Wells then got his name on the scoresheet to put Luton ahead with a fantastic two-touch finish from inside the area after being picked out by captain Kal Naismith to earn Wilshere’s team a 2-1 advantage at the break.
The game remained wide open after the restart as both teams tried to establish dominance, with Stockport squandering two great chances as Josh Stokes shot wide after creating space on the edge of the area and then had a header from Oliver Norwood’s free kick tipped on to the bar by Shea.
The missed opportunities came back to haunt Stockport as Wells took control of the ball in the area before lashing in a low shot past Addai to put the match beyond reach and send the trophy on its way to Kenilworth Road for the first time since 2009.
