Club

JAMES JUSTIN | "IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO COME ON AND GET A GOAL"

James Justin netted his first goal of the campaign on Saturday in what was another impressive performance from the 20-year-old.

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The youth academy product has been more used to storming up the pitch from defence but has more recently been utilised in central midfield by Nathan Jones.After Elliot Lee's afternoon was cut short through injury against Scunthorpe,

Justin turned out to be a vital replacement as his strike with four minutes to play ended up being the winning goal.

JJ had nothing but praise for the gaffer at the final whistle, who celebrated his 150th game in charge of the Hatters with an entertaining win to keep the Town unbeaten at Kenilworth Road so far this season.

Speaking to iFollow Hatters after Saturday's match, Justin said: "It's always nice to come on and get a goal and get the three points. Collo has made a great run to take the defenders away and I've just arrived at the right time – Stacey just put it on a plate for me.

"When you come on in a game as hectic as it was when I came on, it's hard to get up to speed but thankfully I did at the end and we proved on the counter attack we can create chances against anyone.

"It's also an achievement for the gaffer with 150 games, not a lot of gaffers do that nowadays, so it just shows you how good of a manager he is. Everyone improves under him, it's a tight-knit group and he does his best."

The defender has had to be patient so far this term, only featuring for the squad off the bench in all but one of his Sky Bet League One appearances. To break into the squad he has had to prove his versatility, adapting quickly to certain match situations and playing most of his minutes in midfield.

But the change hasn't affected Justin too much, who performed well once again off the bench on Saturday.

He continued: "There is a bit more freedom in midfield, I used to play there when I was younger so it's not too unfamiliar.

"It's nice to get an extended period on the pitch, obviously no one really likes coming on for the last half an hour or 15 minutes, but you know, you've got to do it for the team and I'll do whatever is needed.

"It is frustrating personally (not to start), but as a team we've been on a good run, so I can't really complain."

Of course, Justin wasn't the only Luton player on the scoresheet against the Iron, Harry Cornick and Elliot Lee also played a crucial part in the victory. When speaking about his team mates' goals, Justin said: "Everyone knows that Harry Cornick is rapid and no ball is a lost cause for him, obviously he showed that pace to tap it in.

"With Harry Cornick, you can put it in front of him anywhere and he'll go and get it so it's always nice to have him on your team. Elliot Lee has been class all season and he's just shown the class he has got with both feet. He's cut in and I was right behind it. It was a quality strike and a well-deserved goal."

Justin has been with the club since 2005 and watched the team from the stands growing up. With 'He's one of our own' roaring around Kenilworth Road every time he plays, it fills the defender with pride.

He added: "It's quality. I've said it loads of times, it never gets old. It's appreciated."

James will be answering your questions for the On The Centre Spot feature in the Walsall edition of This Is Our Town. If you have a question for him, send it to Stuart.Hammonds@lutontown.co.uk before 1pm today!

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