Luton 3-2 Gillingham: Rob Edwards’ side secure their first win of the season with goals from Jacob Brown, Alfie Doughty and Cauley Woodrow enough to sink their League Two opposition
- Jacob Brown and Alfie Doughty gave Luton a two-goal lead after 28 minutes
- Jayden Clarke hit back for visitors but Cauley Woodrow restored the advantage
- Would Mohamed Salah ‘do the dirty’ on Liverpool by leaving? And what about Man United ‘diving’?: Listen to It’s All Kicking Off , Mail Sport’s new podcast
The builders are nowhere to be seen, the scaffolding is gone, and the dress rehearsal against Gillingham is complete. Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road is ready for the Premier League.
The tightest ground in English football, hidden amongst a maze of terraced housing, reopened on Tuesday night for the Carabao Cup following its £10million makeover.
Luton won 3-2 against the League Two high flyers in front of 9,468 fans, with the capacity in their new Bobbers Stand capped at 75 per cent for this test event after the club secured an interim safety certificate.
From a building site to a welcome sight, Luton’s fans are glad that Kenilworth Road has not lost its charm.
As one supporter called Max, 24, told Mail Sport before kick-off: ‘This is our home and we love it. When this place gets going, it feels bigger than any ground with 70,000 inside, and it will be bouncing when West Ham come here.’
Luton secured their first win of the season, defeating League Two side Gillingham in the EFL Cup
Rob Edwards’ side got off to a flying start courtesy of a goal after just two minutes from Jacob Brown
Former Charlton midfielder Alfie Doughty struck after 28 minutes to double the hosts’ lead
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That is this Friday, their first home game in the Premier League. Luton chief executive Gary Sweet described Tuesday’s fixture as a ‘significant landmark’, adding it was ‘miraculous’ they managed to get it done in three months.
After being forced to wait for their first home game of the 2023-24 season, it took Luton only one minute and 37 seconds to score as Jacob Brown buried the ball into the far corner.
In the 28th minute, Alfie Doughty made it 2-0 with a 30-yard scorcher. ‘Premier League, we’re having a laugh,’ sang Luton’s supporters in response to the Gillingham end’s earlier taunts.
Luton manager Rob Edwards had made eight changes to his team from their 3-0 defeat at Chelsea on Friday but it was so far, so good.
After 55 minutes, however, it was 2-1 thanks to Jayden Clarke’s solo run and finish. It is easy to see why Gillingham are going well in League Two.
But Gillingham remained competitive throughout, and Jayden Clarke halved the deficit after half time
Luton hit back ten minutes later, and Cauley Woodrow restored his side’s two-goal lead
Tom Nichols’ late consolation offered a glimmer of hope for Neil Harris’ side
Their football is enjoyable to watch and they went after Luton, with only the legs of Tim Krul denying Ashley Nadesan the equaliser.
Despite Gillingham’s efforts, it was Luton who got the next goal – a fine finish from Cauley Woodrow to make it 3-1.
Though Tom Nichols’ late header set up a grandstand finale, it was Luton who progressed to the Carabao Cup’s third round.
Next up, the Premier League visit of West Ham to Kenilworth Road.
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