Luton Town FC vs Exeter City (2nd Dec 2025)

02/12/2025 LUTON TOWN 4-0 EXETER CITY (Vertu Trophy Round of 32)

Town hit four in Vertu Trophy triumph

Hatters book their spot in the next round with comfortable victory over Exeter

Lasse Nordås bagged a brace in an entertaining 4-0 win over Exeter City to put the Hatters into the next round of the Vertu Trophy at Kenilworth Road.

Goals from Nordås paired with cool finishes from Shayden Morris and Zack Nelson completed a fine performance from the Town.

The striker started the match perfectly with a towering header at the far post, rising highest to power a downward header past Grecians keeper Jack Bycroft in the 13th minute after a delightful cross from the left courtesy of Milli Alli.

It wouldn’t take long for Nordås to make his mark again in a starring role in the first half, this time turning provider as he found Morris with acres of space in the box for the winger to fire home a low drive from 15 yards to double the Town’s lead in the 34th minute.

With five minutes to go in the first half, Nordås doubled his tally after an excellent free-kick delivery from Joe Johnson found the Norwegian in the box and at the second attempt the striker lashed the ball home to make it 3-0.

As the Hatters looked for more goals in the second half, Nordås raced through clean on goal looking to complete his hat-trick when racing clear in the 63rd minute, only for Exeter substitute Sil Swinkels to match the Norwegian for pace and apply a superbly timed blocked tackle.

Midway through the second half it was four when Exeter goalkeeper Bycroft’s poor pass was intercepted by Zack Nelson who curled into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area in the 67th minute.

Complimenting a fine evening from the Town in front of goal was the return of defenders Johnson and Reuell Walters who performed well after returning from injury, while the late introduction of debutants Jack Lorentzen-Jones and Zach Ioannides rounded off the evening with both defenders turning in composed performances.

Town: Shea, Walters, Johnson, Andersen, Makosso, Nakamba, Nelson, Kodua, Morris, Alli, Nordås.

Subs not used: Booth, Gbodé, Ioannides, Fox, Paternoster, Evans, Lorentzen-Jones.

Attendance: 2,233, including 136 from Exeter.

Report by Liam Wilmot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyMJwHVDRVc – match highlights

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOHgX1oZe1g – Jack Wilshere post match interview

Vertu Trophy second round: Luton Town 4 Exeter City 0

Nordas at the double as Luton thrash Exeter in Vertu Trophy

Luton Town enjoyed pretty much the perfect night in the Vertu Trophy second round this evening as they thrashed Exeter City 4-0 at Kenilworth Road to sail into the third round.

With boss Jack Wilshere making 11 changes to his side from the 1-1 draw against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, he saw recalled striker Lasse Nordas score twice, fit-again duo Joe Johnson and Reuell Walters get 70 minutes of football each, the Hatters also keeping a clean sheet and awarding senior debuts to academy graduates Zach Ioannides and Jack Lorentzen-Jones in the second period.

Having opted for a completely altered XI, Town took the opportunity to get some football into Mads Andersen, Christ Makosso and Marvelous Nakamba, while the three players who set up Luton leveller at the weekend were all rewarded for their efforts, Gideon Kodua, who found the net, Shayden Morris and Milli All, against his former club, all earning starts.

An enterprising start from both sides saw Andersen make an important block when Jack Aitchison was teed up just outside the box, before Luton almost took the lead on seven minutes when Morris nipped to dispossess Johnly Yfeko who slid in rashly to send the ball arrowing towards his own goal where visiting keeper Jack Bycroft did superby to prevent it going in with a great reaction save.

He had an easier stop when Kodua took aim from 25 yards, Nordas frustrated he hadn't looked to his left for the return pass, but the hosts were in front on 13 minutes when Alli did brilliantly on the wing to speed past Tom Dean and stand up a cross that Nordas was able to get some good hang time on and a downward header to match, netting his third goal of the season.

The Norwegian went close to a second midway through the half when he was sent clear after some terrific work by the impressive Walters, as with the angle against him, fired goalwards, Bycroft turning away via the crossbar. Luton did double their advantage on 32 minutes though when they pressed well to win the ball back, Nordas picking the ball up and finding Morris to his right who drove low under the dive of Bycroft.

Town then were a threat from Johnson’s set-pieces, as the full back’s first free kick was hammered over the bar by Makosso at the back post, but from the second, Nordas caused a nuisance of himself with an ungainly volley, although as the ball dropped, he clinically smashed into the net past a statuesque Bycroft.

Against a visiting side who kept four players from their weekend defeat to Bradford City, and had the experienced Josh Magennins upfront, Luton kept on pressing, Kodua having an ambitious crack from 30 yards which was easy for Bycroft, who was extended by Alli’s blast in stoppage time, batting behind for a corner.

After the break, Aitchison went close to pulling one back, not missing the far post by much, as the majority of the 2,200 supporters inside the stadium wanted to see if Nordas could get a first hat-trick in Luton colours, although Alli’s battle with Ed Turns was also very watchable, the winger seeing another effort kicked away by Bycroft.

Town withdrew Morris on the hour mark for Joe Gbode, as it was almost Norda s’s moment on 62 minutes, winning the ball back on the half-way line and setting off towards goal, but Aston Villa youngster Sil Swinkels, who had just come on, was able to motor back and make an excellently-judged sliding tackle, much to the disappointment of those in the main stand.

There was a fourth goal on 67 minutes though after a calamity from goalkeeper Bycroft who opted to pass the ball straight to Zack Nelson, the young midfielder able to take a good first touch, round an opponent and then plant his sidefooted finish confidently into the net. Wilshere opted to give academy graduate Zach Ioannides his senior debut with 20 left in place of Walters, as Johnson also made way, Harry Fox getting his second outing, having made his first appearance in the previous game against Brighton.

The defender made an important block to prevent Magennis from pulling back a consolation as there was still time for another debut, Jack Lorentzen-Jones having his first run-out for the final 10 minutes or so.

The final stages were placed at walking pace really, with Exeter accepting their fate, and Nordas never really threatening his treble, although there was time for Alli to test Bycroft once more in stoppage, as the keeper came out on top against the winger once more. With Town having racked up 11 goals in their three home games in the competition, they will be keeping their fingers crossed for another tie at Kenilworth Road when the third round draw is made later this week.

Hatters: James Shea ©, Reuell Walters (Zach Ioannides 71), Christ Makosso, Mads Andersen, Joe Johnson (Harry Fox 71), Marvelous Nakamba, Zack Nelson, Gideon Kodua (Jack Lorentzen-Jones 80), Shayden Morris (Joe Gbode 60), Milli Alli, Lasse Nordas.

Subs not used: Charlie Booth, Vladimir Paternoster, Fin Evans.

Grecians: Jack Bycroft, Ed Turns (Kevin McDonald 79), Jack Fitzwater (Jack McMillan 60), Ed Francis, Jack Aitchison (Akeel Higgins 60), Ilmari Niskanen (Jayden Wareham 79) Johnly Yfeko (Sil Swinkels 60), Luca Woodhouse, Josh Magennis ©, Tom Dean, Liam Oakes.

Subs not used: Joe Whitworth, Ethan Brierley.

Referee: Kirsty Dowie.

Booked: Fitzwater 40, Dean 52, Niskanen 71, Francis 72, Lorentzen-Jones 90.

Attendance: 2,233 (136 Grecians).

Wilshere elated as completely-changed Luton XI still dismantle Grecians

Hatters thrilled with his side’s performance having made 11 alterations

Luton boss Jack Wilshere stated his players’ complete and total commitment in training, even when not featuring for the first team as much as they woud want, allowed them to dismantle Exeter City 4-0 in their Vertu Trophy second round tie at Kenilworth Road this evening.

The Hatters chief shuffled his back from top to bottom for the knock-out clash, with 11 changes from Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Bolton Wanderers, as striker Lasse Nordas, making his first start under Wilshere, put the hosts in front when heading home a cross from Milli Alli, another who has see his game time limited since the ex-Arsenal star took over.

Nordas then teed up Shayden Morris, who is continuing his return to full fitness to make it 2-0, as the Norwegian did his chances of a return to the first team no harm at all by arrowing his second of the night into the bottom corner before the interval. After the break, midfielder Zack Nelson was also on target when taking full advantage of a misplaced pass from Grecians keeper Jack Bycroft to ensure a comfortable passage to the third round.

With Christ Makosso and Marvelous Namaka getting 90 minutes, while full backs Reuell Walters and Joe Johnson made their long-awaited return from injury, Wilshere was even able to give debuts to academy graduates Zach Ioannides and Jack Lorentzen-Jones in the second period. Asked just how his players were able to look such a cohesive unit despite their limited time on the pitch together previously, he said: “The only way that they’re able to perform like that and deliver a performance like that is because of the way they train and I said that to them after.

"They’ve been outstanding, their attitude, their energy, the desire to help the players that have been playing prepare for a game. It’s been frustrating for some of them, of course it has, but they’re all good lads. They all want what’s best for this club, but they also want what’s best for them and they know the way to go about their work is to do that and they’re able to then produce a performance like that with the same energy, the same hunger that you see from the guys on Saturday as well.

“I’ve been saying to the whole squad that I felt like that’s been coming. We create a lot of opportunities, but we actually finished the action, that’s really pleasing tonight. Of course the performance as well, and how we controlled the game, and how aggressive we were in certain moments, especially with our press, I thought we were outstanding. To actually score four was nice, we probably could have scored more but we’ll take four.”

Although Wilshere was always going to make changes following a three game week, questioned as to whether he always had that many in mind, as Town face another trio of matches with trips to Fleetwood Town in the FA Cup on Saturday, Leyton Orient in the league next Tuesday and then at home to Port Vale the following weekend, he added: “Not necessarily, after the game we had some conversations and I think the main thing about that is that the players deserve it.

"Of course I was thinking about it and thinking where we can give them opportunities and they definitely took it. It wasn’t always the plan, but after the weekend and talking to the staff, we decided that we were going to do it, number one because they deserve it, but also the other players have been through a lot the last week. We’ve got another tough week coming up, so those players have to step in when they can.”

Hatters boss demands more aggression from 'nicest man' Nordas

Recalled striker bags brace against Exeter City

Two-goal striker Lasse Nordas has been told to become far more aggressive and ditch his nice guy image by manager Jack Wilshere if he wants to get his opportunity in the Hatters first XI this term.

The former Norwegian U21 international, who arrived from Tromso in January, but barely featured as the Hatters were relegated from the Championship, had begun to feature more in the side under previous boss Matt Bloomfield, making four starts in the league, with 10 appearances in total, scoring his first goals for the club when netting against Burton Albion and Barnet.

However, when Bloomfield was sacked and Wilshere took over, although Nordas got a brief cameo during the new manager’s opening 2-0 defeat against Mansfield and was then named on the bench for the 1-0 win at Northampton, also getting half an hour in the 3-1 Vertu Trophy win over Brighton & Hove Albion U21s, he hasn’t been involved in any of the last six match-day squads, the Town chief opting to go without an out-and-out forward option among his substitutes recently.

With the boss making 11 changes to his side that took on the Grecians on Tuesday night, Nordas was one those to come in, as he was handed the central striker role, flanked by Milli Alli and Shayden Morris. Asked exactly why he hadn’t been included and what it was he has been wanting to see an improvement in before selecting him again, Wilshere said: “I wanted him to be more aggressive. He is quite possibly the nicest man I’ve ever met, which is of course important, it’s good. He’s humble, he wants to learn, but sometimes on the pitch I want him to be a bit more aggressive and he’s shown it.

"He’s trying. In training he’s been aggressive and then he’ll say ‘are you all right,’ to the person and I’m like, ‘no, don’t worry about that, don’t ask him if he’s all right, get on to the next action.’ He obviously brings something because of his size and the stature he has. We can probably play into him as it can stick and he can bring others into play. I thought he did that well tonight.

"When you are that guy, the opposition know that as well, so they’re going to try and be aggressive with you. They’re going to try and push you, try and bump you from the back and he has to be ready for that. This league is about that. I think he’s adapting to that, it starts in training and that’s what we want from him.”

It could have got even better for Nordas, who was hunting a hat-trick in the second half, robbing the ball from the Exeter back-line and breaking away, only to see Aston Villa loanee Sil Swinkels get back and make a fine sliding tackle just as he was about to shoot. The Town chief had thought the attacker might have been tempted to try an audacious attempt to reach his treble, although did admit his all-round performance has now given him food for thought going forward.

He continued: “It’s like a sequence and there’s a rhythm to it that you want. We did that really well tonight, where Shayden goes and the next one goes, and the timing has to be right. You can see with Lasse, his opportunity where he nicks it, I thought he could have shot if the goalie was off his line, but maybe he wasn’t. Overall, Lasse, Shayden, Milli, our front three, I thought their press was excellent but also their ability to create things and finish them.

"I’ve got decisions to make and when I first came in it was Nahki (Wells) starting as a nine and Jerry (Yates) was our option off the bench. Nahki’s now injured and that’s flipped a bit, so there’s an opportunity for Lasse and as a number nine, you need to score goals. He’s scored two tonight, he’s made a goal, he’s looked dangerous and someone who I’ve really enjoyed working with as his attitude is outstanding and his willingness to first of all know what it is he needs to do to get into the team, but then to go away and try it. So he deserved that tonight.”

The ex-Bodø/Glimt forward’s tally for the night takes him to four for the campaign, one behind Yates on five and level with Kodua as the club’s second highest marksman this term. With Luton’s strikers struggling badly for goals in the league, Yates having scored the most with a measly two, then with Wells, Ali Al-Hamadi and Elijah Adebayo all currently unavailable, Nordas showed just what he can bring to the side, as he netted a downward header from Alli’s cross on 13 minutes, before demonstrating the clinical side of his game when thumping home after Joe Johnson’s free kick dropped invitingly for him just before the break.

He also had a huge role in Morris’s goal as well, taking full advantage of a misplaced pass by an under-pressure visiting defender to find his team-mate who made no mistake and is now surely in contention to feature against League Two Fleetwood Town in the FA Cup second round on Saturday. The boss added: “That’s (first goal) been coming. You think about the weekend and how many balls we put into the box and we got one. Okay they, Bolton, defended the box a little bit different to Exeter did and we spoke about that space at the back post, especially when you’ve got someone like Lasse in the team, you need to use that.

“When you’ve got the profiles we’ve got in the front line, Milli and Shayden, especially on the wings, if you get your press right and your timing and there’s a real desire to go and win the ball back, it’s really hard for defenders to deal with. I thought they got the timing really good tonight and you get your chances from it.”