Luton Town FC vs Forest Green Rovers (31st Oct 2025)

31/10/2025 LUTON TOWN 4-3 FOREST GREEN ROVERS

Town survive Rovers scare to advance in FA Cup

Hatters get their name in the hat for second round after seven-goal thriller

The Town needed an injury-time winner from substitute Gideon Kodua to seal their place in the second round of the FA Cup after a dramatic 4-3 win over National League Forest Green.

It seemed the Hatters were well on course for a place in the hat following two goals from Nahki Wells and one from Lamine Fanne had put Jack Wilshere’s side 3-0 up.

But Rovers stormed back, scoring three times in an incredible 18-minute spell to bring Robbie Savage’s fifth-tier side level.

The visitors had chances to take the lead, hitting the crossbar late on, but Kodua had the final say to two minutes into injury time to earn the Hatters victory – their third in a week in all competitions.

It began by Wilshere naming a strong starting XI for the tie, making just two changes from the team that defeated Northampton Town almost a fortnight ago, including a first start of the season for Isaiah Jones.

The Town started brightly with Cohen Bramall winning the game’s first corner less than 30 seconds in, although the visitors were able to clear.

Rovers came close to taking the lead, just five minutes in. Sean Etaluku’s deep ball to the backpost was put over the bar from yards out by Jill Buyabu.

Fanne then came close to giving the Hatters the lead. Wells played the ball into Jake Richards who laid the ball off for the Spaniard, only for him to drag his effort wide of the post.

Moments later, Fanne did get his goal. It was a carbon copy of the previous attack. Down the right-hand side, Wells advanced into the area and pulled the ball back for Fanne who curled the ball past Fiachra Pagel.

On the half-hour mark, the Town were gifted a second. Bramall’s long-range free-kick was spilled into the path of Wells by Pagel and the Luton forward made no mistake with his finish to double the lead.

Wells was inches away from his second of the evening. George Saville’s first-time ball into the area was headed towards the far post by Harvey Bunker into the path of Wells, who could only fire over the bar.

Minutes after the restart, Wells netted his second to make it 3-0. Richards, in a central area, knocked the ball out wide to Fanne, who fired the ball across the face of the goal for Wells to tap home for his brace.

However, on the hour, Rovers pulled one back to begin their comeback. Tom Knowles’ effort on his right foot deflected off the head of Teden Mengi, wrong-footing Josh Keeley.

Wilshere made his first two changes after the goal. Ali Al-Hamadi made his long-awaited debut, as he replaced Jones while Zack Nelson was the other switch, he came on in place of Liam Walsh.

Mengi then was adjudged to have fouled Knowles in the area and referee Stephen Parkinson pointed to the spot. Kyle McAllister stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner to make it 3-2.

Incredibly, Rovers levelled the score with 10 minutes to play. It was Aidan Dausch, who capitalised on a defensive mix-up from the Town.

Moments later the visitors came close to completing the turnaround when captain Laurent Mendy saw his back-post header cannon back off the crossbar.

But just when it seemed an extra 30 minutes were needed to separate the sides, Kodua broke Rovers hearts two minutes into injury time when taking Jerry Yates’ pass and thumping an unerring finish past Pagel to send the Town into round two.

Town: Keeley, Naismith, Walsh (sub Nelson 62), Mengi, Lonwijk, Wells (sub Yates 71), Fanne (sub Odoffin 90), Saville, Jones (sub Al-Hamadi 62), Richards (sub Kodua 71), Bramall.

Unused subs: Shea, Andersen, Alli, Makosso.

Attendance: 4,511, including 462 from Forest Green.

Report by Owen Williams.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcl376g0qoQ – Match highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0TjC7ScjEQ – Jack Wilshere post match interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSBHuPPvJMo – TNT Sports match highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWMKRQV2JMI – TNT interview – Jack Wilshere

FA Cup first round: Luton Town 4 Forest Green Rovers 3

Kodua strikes as Luton narrowly avoid Halloween horrow FA Cup show

Gideon Kodua scored a stoppage time winner as Luton just about prevented a Halloween horror show at Kenilworth Road this evening, as they edged past a courageous Forest Green Rovers side in the FA Cup in a truly crazy first round encounter.

Shown live on TNT Sports and billed as the mouthwatering Jack Wilshere v Robbie Savage clash, those watching on certainly got their money’s worth in a tie that the Hatters looked to have had sewn up at the break. Leading 2-0, they then added a third on 53 minutes, before Rovers roared back, as the demons resurfaced for the Hatters once more, with Rovers, who were easily the better side in the second period, scoring three times in just 18 minutes to level the scores and looked the more likely to go on and win it.

However, Kodua ended those hopes when he slammed into the net to ensure it was Luton’s name in the second round draw and round off a pulsating tie as the hosts were also celebrating the rarity of securing three wins in a week. Prior to kick-off, boss Wilshere made two changes from the 1-0 win at Northampton, Liam Walsh and Izzy Jones in for Jordan Clark and Kodua, as the Hatters almost led inside 60 seconds, Walsh’s corner hitting the boot of Nigel Lonwijk and was on its way in before a Rovers defender hammered clear.

Forest Green showed they weren’t going to be bowed by the occasion though as some sloppy defending saw Kal Naismith give the ball away, with a cross whipped in, Jili Buyabu unable to convert from a tight angle at the back post. A quiet opening 20 minutes was soon enlivened by a terrific foray on the Luton right as starting with Teden Mengi, a one touch move involving Lonwijk and Nahki Wells saw Jake Richards nick the ball inside for Fanne who could only drag disappointingly wide.

However, he made no mistake when handed an almost identical chance 60 seconds later, Wells reacting quickest to speed forward and then find Fanne, who having used his first attempt as a range finder, directed this shot high into the corner of the net. Town then doubled their lead on the half hour with a goal that visiting keeper Fiachra Pagel won’t want to see again, Cohen Bramall’s dipping 30-yard free kick squirming out of his grasp, allowing Wells to react quickest and tap the ball over the line to end his seven game drought.

He almost doubled his tally moments later when Saville’s cross flicked off a defender’s head, but unmarked and six yards out he could only put his volley over the bar. Rovers finally threatened with five minutes of the half remaining, a clever short corner routine seeing Mengi make an absolutely vital block on Buyabu’s low effort that was on its way in, Lonwijk getting in the way of the follow-up attempt.

Rovers brought on Tom Knowles at the break and the half time sub was to prove an instant livewire, almost scoring with his first touch, Lonwijk attempting an ill-advised back header when the ball was no more than an inch off the turf, Keeley reacting quickly to advance off his line and clear. The visitors were gifted another opportunity as Town, who didn’t look solid at the back all night, gifted them the ball and Kyle McAllister’s instinctive effort to catch Keeley off his line from range sailed wide.

Having weathered that mini storm, Luton appeared to have put the result beyond doubt with a third on 53 minutes when Rovers were caught trying to play out from the back. Jones won the ball, as it eventually cannoned through to Fanne, who faced with Pagel, unselfishly looked to his right and played in Wells for the striker to notch his second from three yards out.

The forward was then sniffing his hat-trick, having a crack from 22 yards which didn’t quite come down in time, but Luton switched off, as Knowles, who had already shown his willingness to get forward, burst through the challenge of Lonwijk far too easily and took aim, his effort flicking off the head of Mengi, giving Keeley no chance at all.

Luton had been readying two changes before the goal, as they still went ahead with them, striker Ali Al-Hamadi on for his first appearance since signing on loan from Ipswich back on deadline day and Zack Nelson also introduced, Jones and Walsh off. However, Town quickly conceded again as with 68 minutes gone, another break from the visitors saw Mengi nutmegged and Harry Whiswell sped into the box, going to ground after minimal contact from the recovering defender, Kyle McAllister making no mistake from the spot.

Wilshere went to his bench again, Jerry Yates and Kodua replacing Wells and Richards, but it was the away end who were in bedlam on 79 minutes, the Hatters’ back-line sliced open once more. Keeley and Bramall looked like they had stopped the chance, but the ball was played back into the danger zone and when Lonwijk couldn’t get it away, there was Aidan Dausch to slam home and bring the scores level.

It looked like the visitors were the ones now destined to take their place in the next round and they almost did so when a deep free kick saw Laurent Mendy head against the crossbar, and Knowles slice over when a corner dropped at his feet. With extra time looming, Town, who had been second best for the majority of the second 45, ventured forward, Al-Hamadi causing a nuisance.

Yates was able to get hold of possession and pick out Kodua’s run, the West Ham loanee blasting into the net to put Luton ahead again, with the goal coming very much against the run of play. Still Rovers didn’t give up though, sending keeper Pagel up for one last free kick, and although he wasn’t involved, the ball rebounded to Dausch just eight yards out, who on this occasion, couldn’t keep his composure, as a very relieved Town made it through to the next round.

Hatters: Josh Keeley, Nigel Lonwijk, Cohen Bramall, Teden Mengi, Kal Naismith (C), George Saville, Liam Walsh (Zack Nelson 62), Lamine Fanne (Hakeem Odoffin 90), Izzy Jones (Ali Al-Hamadi 62), Jake Richards (Gideon Kodua 71), Nahki Wells (Jerry Yates 71). Subs not used: James Shea, Mads Andersen, Milli Alli, Christ Makosso.

Rovers: Fiachra Pagel, Neil Kengni (Kyle McAllister 46), Laurent Mendy (C), Harvey Bunker, Isaac Moore (James Balagazi 73), Tre Pemberton, Jili Buyabu, Harry Whitwell, Temi Babalola (Aidan Dausch 59), Sean Etaluku (Tom Knowles 46), Abraham Kanu (Ryan Innis 59). Subs not used: Luke McNicholas, Nick Haughton, Jayden Clarke, Jordan Moore-Taylor.

Booked: Fanne 65, Naismith 84, Knowles 89.

Referee: Stephen Parkinson.

Attendance: 4,511 (462 Rovers).

Wilshere admits Town were made to 'suffer' when narrowly avoiding FA Cup upset

Luton are the hat for round two draw

A relieved Luton boss Jack Wilshere admitted that his side were certainly made to ‘suffer’ during their crazy 4-3 FA Cup first round victory over Forest Green Rovers on Friday night.

The Hatters had been coasting early in the second period, as with 53 minutes gone it looked like a case of how many they would get, Nahki Wells doubling his tally for the night, with Lamine Fanne also on target, before the National League side began their comeback. First, Tom Knowles’ effort deflected in on Teden Mengi, who then pushed over Harry Whitwell in the area for a penalty that Kyle McAllister drove into the bottom corner.

Robbie Savage’s side wiped out their deficit with their third goal in 18 minutes, Aidan Dausch slamming home with 11 minutes still left, as they should have then led, Laurent Mendy’s header hitting the crossbar and Knowles hammering over. However, Town substitute Gideon Kodua scored in stoppage time to make it 4-3 to Luton but even then the visitors should have forced extra time, an unmarked Dausch scuffing wide with seconds remaining.

After a pulsating evening, it meant the Hatters took their place in Monday’s draw for round two, as trying to sum up the contest, Wilshere said: “It’s tough to analyse and think exactly what it is, but we found a way in the end and I've just spoken about it after Mansfield, there’s times in football where you have to suffer, you have to suffer and you really see then what people are about and what we are about. Ultimately in the end we won the game, which I’m happy about, but it’s hard to analyse.

“When I talk about suffering, that’s probably the main skill you need in that is resilience, especially against teams that commit so many numbers forward. They put players on your last line and they compete for second balls, then one goal goes in, two goals go in, you’re looking around and then they equalise. They have a few more moments and we have to stay resilient, you have to find something else, you have to find a way. In football people talk about that a lot and that is resilience and suffering and fighting, and those things don’t change."

Although Town were given an almighty scare on the night, one thing that Wilshere was happy with was the fact that have being been pegged back to 3-3, the Hatters, who were a side bereft of confidence when he took over earlier this month, were able to come through that and still have the character to to up the other and and find the net themselves, winning a third game in succession for the first time since April.

He continued: "What I would say is three wins in a week, it’s important for the players. It’s been a while since they did that and it’s important that we keep winning. Yes, we have to look at certain things, but that’s very important and we spoke about that after the game. Especially where the players have been when I first came in, people talking about belief and a lack of confidence which there clearly was. There are things you can do in training, you can make it a little bit more enjoyable, you can give the players a little bit more clarity, but ultimately winning games is the best way of building confidence, is the best way of the players being convinced that we have to play in this way to win games.

“It’s tough as when you play against opposition like this and ultimately in the end how you win games is by showing your quality and we spoke about that before. I mentioned their effort and then trying to kill their spirit by being good on the ball and I think you saw that in the first half. At times we played out their first line, they pressed with a single nine, we played down the side, came back the other side, it was the right thing to do and we had to keep doing it.

"Then the second half changed, we lost our rhythm a little bit and then they created a little bit of momentum, but again credit to the lads. Ultimately in the end it was the quality when Ali (Al-Hamadi), the ball goes over him and instead of flicking it on, he’s got a bit of calm, makes one pass, then Sav (George Saville) makes a good pass, we clean it, a little bit of quality and we win the game.

"There’s so much over the last two weeks since I’ve been in that I’ve learned, but also it’s clear for the players that they know when we’re good it’s like this, and when we’re suffering a little bit we have to be like this. So we have to keep working on both of them and make sure that if we are winning 2-0 or 3-0 that we can manage the game and see it out in a better way.”

One thing that Wilshere did accept needs improving though was the manner in which Town tried and failed to keep the ball out of their own net during that made 20 minute period in the second half, as Rovers netted three times, and looked dangerous every single time they got within shooting distance of Josh Keeley’s goal.

He added: “Defending is a team thing. People go, ‘oh look at the defenders,’ but it’s really, really important that we defend with 11 players and so of course we don’t want to concede goals. Off the top of my head, I can’t even remember what they were like, they were very similar where we didn't defend our box well enough or we made one mistake and tried to fix it, and it led to another one.

"I can think of a few moments where we miss a tackle or we were out of position, we tried to fix it with someone else and I always think when that starts to happen and you make one mistake and try to fix it, there’s another and another. That is normally when you start to concede goals. We’ll show the players that and one thing I will say about this group of players as well is when we’re in the auditorium or when we’re having meetings, they are outspoken, they want to be coached, they want to be held accountable and that’s important.

“We have a group of players that want to grow and I think we know the way that we have to. So we have to look at that, of course we do, try and help the players get better, but as I said, I’m happy that we’re through. That was the main thing tonight, that we came here, we knew it was a big night, cameras were here, it was on TV, that creates a little bit of pressure as well. We managed it and we came through it in the end. It was amazing for the neutral and I’m sure there’s a lot of people at home watching it excited for the rest of the games this weekend. It was a good way to start it for them, not so good for me, for my heart-rate, but we won it and we’re through to the next round.”