Luton Town FC vs Plymouth Argyle (24th Feb 2026)

24/02/2026 LUTON TOWN 2-1 PLYMOUTH ARGYLE

Clark penalty sends Town into semis

Midfielder scores late from the spot as the Hatters see of Plymouth in the quarter-finals

The Hatters are one win from Wembley as a late penalty from Jordan Clark earned victory over Plymouth in the quarter-final of the Vertu Trophy.

The midfielder stepped up in the 89th minute after Nahki Wells was fouled in the box to set-up a semi-final meeting with Northampton at Kenilworth Road next Wednesday.

Earlier the Town had led thanks to a first-half goal from Izzy Jones but a goal 13 minutes from time from Argyle substitute Tegan Finn looked to have sent the tie to penalties until Clark struck from 12 yards.

It was no more than the Hatters deserved on a night which started with Jack Wilshere making four changes to the side that drew with Burton at the weekend.

James Shea returned in goal in this competition he has played every match in while Davy van den Berg made his first start in Town colours. Teden Mengi and Jake Richards also returned to the starting XI.

In-form Argyle arrived having won seven of their last 10 games and the visitors almost took the lead inside four minutes when Xavier Amaechi’s shot was deflected behind by Shea.

However, after that early scare the Town began to find their rhythm and on 16 minutes they were ahead. The impressive Richards sent in a low cross from the left towards the back post and Jones was on hand to smuggle a shot home.

With the Hatters now full of confidence the shots began to rain in on the visitors’ goal with Gideon Kodua and Wells both going close.

Having kept in-form former Town man Bim Pepple quiet, Mengi pulled up on 34 minutes and was replaced by Nigel Lonwijk and moments later the Hatters came close to second goal when Mads Andersen nodded wide at George Saville corner at the back-post.

Ahead at the break the Hatters began the second half with two new faces with Joe Johnson and Shayden Morris introduced, and four minutes after the restart, Kal Naismith whipped a free-kick from 25 yards narrowly over the crossbar.

Clark tested Plymouth goalkeeper Conor Hazard with a shot from another free-kick routine moments later and Saville tested the stopper again with a low shot on 54 minutes.

The chances continued to come with Morris’ pace troubling the Pilgrims’ backline. The winger’s cross from the right was skied by Jones rushing in at the back-post before Clark’s well-hit drive from the edge of the box was held by Hazard.

But with the Town keeping the Argyle attack at bay disaster struck on 77 minutes when out of nothing the visitors levelled. Shea tried to clear a loose pass away on the edge his own box and the ball fell to Finn. The Pilgrims’ substitute showed great composure to guide a low effort into an empty net from 30 yards to make it 1-1.

Undeterred, back came the Hatters and three minutes later Jones spurned another great effort in a carbon copy of the earlier move following another low cross across goal from Morris.

The equaliser had given the visitors confidence, however, and as time ticked down, Argyle drove forward in search of a winner.

But the Town had other ideas. Saville’s brilliant tackle got Wells through on goal but the striker’s progress was ended by a late challenge by Mathias Ross and the referee pointed to the spot. Clark rifled the resultant penalty down the middle – the ninth from 12 successful kicks from 12 yards this season – to restore the lead.

Back in front the Hatters had to hold on during six additional minutes as Argyle looked to force the tie to penalties. Julio Pleguezuelo thumped a header wide in the 91st minute and it was all hands on the deck as the clock ticked past 96.

Plymouth forced one last corner which Hazard joined the attack for, but the Town held out and could celebrate victory.

The Town now face Northampton next week for a place in their second EFL Trophy final – but first it’s off to Port Vale on Saturday.

We’ll see you then.

Up the Town.

Town: Shea, Naismith, Andersen (sub Johnson 46), Mengi (sub Lonwijk 34), Jones, Saville, van den Berg (sub Palmer 65), Clark, Richards (sub Lawrence 90+5), Kodua (sub Morris 46), Wells.

Subs not used: Keeley, Fox.

Attendance: 4,203, including 785 shouting for Plymouth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d36TzVHlAU – Jack Wilshere interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Huy6mS84kCA – match highlights

Vertu Trophy quarter-final: Luton Town 2 Plymouth Argyle 1

Clark on the spot to send Luton through to Vertu Trophy semi-final

A late penalty from Jordan Clark sent Luton through to the semi-finals of the Vertu Trophy with a thoroughly deserved 2-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle this evening.

Having left the field to jeers on Saturday after a 1-1 draw against Burton Albion, they were replaced by rousing cheers this time as Town gave their supporters the kind of display they want to witness on a regular basis, full of attacking intent, whole-hearted tackles, aerial duels, everything that hadn’t been on display when the Brewers had been in town at the weekend, which was demonstrated by their response both during tie and at the full time whistle.

Boss Jack Wilshere made four changes from the weekend, Davy van den Berg getting a first start since joining on loan from FC Utrecht, while Teden Mengi, Jake Richards and James Shea all came in, Shayden Morris, Josh Keeley, Joe Johnson and Kasey Palmer dropping to the bench, while Devante Cole missed out.

The visitors had a glorious chance to take the lead on four minutes as Xavier Amaechi escaped around the back of the Town defence and looked destined to find the net, only for Shea to come racing off his line and get a vital intervention that sent it behind for a corner. Having been hemmed in for the opening eight minutes, Luton then started to venture forward, George Saville with one driving run forward that saw his shot deflected skywards, visiting keeper Conor Hazard able to fall on it.

Town began to put some good moves together in midfield too, Clark almost sending Gideon Kodua away, but they did have the lead on 16 minutes, when a quick passing move saw Saville find van den Berg. He moved it on to Richards who sent in a sweet low cross that the Argyle defence left, but Izzy Jones didn’t, shooting goalwards, Hazard making a hash of it, as the ball spilled into the net.

Luton hunted a second, Clark finding Kodua with an excellent crossfield pass as the winger cut inside but couldn’t get enough on his shot as Hazard saved easily. Unlike at the weekend, the Hatters didn’t ever shut up shop and try to defend their lead, making waves to double it, Mads Andersen appearing to be pulled back when attempting to reach Clark’s free kick and with Argyle caught when playing out from the back, Wells dragged a potshot off target.

The hosts weren't without their injury concerns though, Kodua needing treatment and then just after the half hour, Mengi pulled up when sprinting to try and stop ex-Hatter Bim Pepple from getting the ball, and had to go off, replaced by Nigel Lonwijk. Unfortunately for Kodua, he then went down again with 38 minutes gone, but was able to get through until the break, unsurprisingly not reappearing, although neither did Andersen, who got a kick just before the break too, Johnson and Morris coming on.

That saw Luton switch things up, Jones going out to left wingback and Morris right, as Richards won a free kick that Naismith put narrowly over. Town finally made one of their brightest starts to a second period as well, a short corner met first time by Clark whose shot hit both Matty Sorinola and Malachi Boateng for Hazard to collect.

Wes Harding had a go at the other end, but refreshingly the Hatters kept up their attempts to make it 2-0, Saville cutting in and seeing his shot saved by Hazard, before another break by Richards led to him having his heels clipped and Wells’ set-piece was into the wall. Richards then almost got away after a wonderful run straight through the middle which brought the home fans to their feet, as just before the hour mark, the Hatters attacked again, Clark impressively twisting away from his man to send Morris scampering away on the right flank.

His low cross was just beyond Wells with Jones arriving at the back post once more, although on his left foot, couldn’t get the accuracy he was after on this occasion. Wilshere brought on Kasey Palmer midway through the half for van den Berg who had an impressive 65 minutes, as his first action was to get away on the left and send in a cross that fell to Clark just outside the box, his volley fading into Hazard’s gloves.

Having looked in real control, Luton managed to completely gift the visitors an equaliser on 77 minutes when Morris took a heavy touch and found Saville, his underhit backpass seeing Shea come racing out and under pressure scuff his clearance straight to Tegan Finn, who was able to sidefoot the ball beyond the covering Kal Naismith with Shea only able to watch it trickle over the line.

The hosts should have moved back ahead though as they created an exact replica when Morris got away on the right and his low cross went through to Jones speeding in, although as he had done earlier, couldn’t keep his head down, lofting into the empty stands. Out of nowhere, Plymouth then appeared to be in the ascendancy and sniffing a winner, Pepple curling wide when the ball broke to him as Lonwijk made a terrific block to stop him shooting late on.

With penalties on the horizon, Town were then awarded one of their own with two minutes left as Saville’s tackle saw the ball break for Wells who got in a tangle with Ross inside the box, referee Ben Speedie pointing to the spot, where Clark went away from his usual method, shooting down the middle to make it 2-1.

With six minutes added, Luton looked far more solid than they had when being breached late on at the weekend, always a threat at the other end, Wells pushing the visitors back and Palmer cleverly winning a corner. Argyle did try and have one last hurrah in which they sent Hazard up twice for set-pieces, but there were to be no dramatics, Julio Pleguezuelo heading over, as Town successfully saw injury time out to move just one game away from Wembley.

Hatters: James Shea, Izzy Jones, Kal Naismith ©, Mads Andersen (Joe Johnson 46), Teden Mengi (Nigel Lonwijk 33), George Saville, Davy van den Berg (Kasey Palmer 65), Gideon Kodua (Shayden Morris 46), Jordan Clark, Jake Richards (Emilio Lawrence 90), Nahki Wells.

Subs not used: Josh Keeley, Harry Fox.

Pilgrims: Conor Hazard, Mathias Ross, Bradley Ibrahim (Caleb Watts 46), Joe Edwards (C, Julio Pleguezuelo 90), Xavier Amaechi (Jack Mackenzie 46), Alex Mitchell, Malachi Boateng, Bim Pepple. Ronan Curtis, Matty Sorinola (Tegan Finn 65), Wes Harding.

Subs not used: Zak Baker, Luca Ashby-Hammond.

Booked: Edwards 53, Ross 88, Hazard 89).

Referee: Ben Speedie.

Attendance: 4,203 (785 Pilgrims).

Hatters boss felt his players deserve 'loads of credit' for Pilgrims win

Luton are now one game away from Wembley

Luton boss Jack Wilshere felt his players deserved ‘loads of credit’ for the manner in which they responded to Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Burton Albion with a 2-1 Vertu Trophy semi-final victory over Plymouth Argyle this evening.

The Hatters had left the field to a crescendo of boos from their own supporters after an insipid display at the weekend, as they failed to try and build on their 1-0 lead, conceding an injury time leveller, which led to some toxic scenes following the full time whistle, as both Wilshere and skipper Kal Naismith had to be dragged away from heated exchanges with the home fans.

However, there was no signs of that tonight, with the home supporters totally engaged throughout and also thoroughly enthused with what they were witnessing, Town playing front footed football against a side who had been in superb form recently, as they demonstrated a far greater sense of urgency and positivity.

Izzy Jones put the hosts ahead on 16 minutes, before Luton controlled the second period, only to then gift the Pilgrims an equaliser with 13 to play. However, rather than go into their shells, Wilshere’s side looked to retake the ascendancy, Nahki Wells brought down by Mathias Ross with a minute to go, as Jordan Clark kept his nerve to send Conor Hazard the wrong way and ensure Town went through to a semi-final tie against Northampton Town next Wednesday night.

Speaking afterwards, discussing how much praise the players should get following their reaction to Saturday’s events, the boss said: “Loads of credit, loads of credit. I said it before and I keep saying it, there’s characters, there’s leaders, there’s personality in this group, but most importantly, there’s players that care, players that are all in to try turn this around, try and get some wins, try and win the next game.

“It takes character as it was difficult. It was difficult on Saturday, the way the game ended, giving a goal away right at the end and the feeling inside the stadium, it was difficult. The players deserve all the credit as to turn it around with a really good performance as well, and then also to bounce back in the game when we gave a goal away, we showed a lot of character tonight.”

Asked what he spoke about with his players prior to the contest to ensure they were in the right frame of mind to deliver the goods, Wilshere added: “We talked about belief, we keep talking about it. We reviewed the game from the weekend, showed the good things that we did, showed how many times we had to defend our box, showed how we suffered as we didn’t play well in the second half.

"We tried to keep hold of the lead, which is not who we want to be, but also we spoke about where we are at the moment confidence-wise, belief-wise, so we reviewed that and then it was tonight about make the things we didn’t do well, better, but also building on who we are. I thought we did that really, so we’ll go through the same process at the weekend, but the players deserve a lot of credit tonight.”

Wilshere took some 'big lessons' in aftermath of Brewers fan fury

Town respond with Vertu Trophy victory over Plymouth

Hatters boss Jack Wilshere admitted he learned some ‘big lessons’ about himself and the team in the aftermath of Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Burton Albion in which his team suffered the wrath of the Kenilworth Road crowd.

Turning in a bitterly disappointing display in front of their own fans at the weekend, in which Town were only able to manage two shots on target, as although Nahki Wells scored one of them, the other was virtually a pass back, they tried and failed to hang on to a lead against a side battling relegation, eventually giving up a 92nd minute equaliser.

That led to some of the worst scenes faced by the home players in recent times, Luton’s fans letting them know in no uncertain terms what they felt about the display, some even booing after just 97 seconds of the contest, as with the anger intensifying after the full time whistle, both Wilshere and Kal Naismith were involved in some heated exchanges with their own supporters.

However, just 72 hours on and Town were being cheered from the field by their own fans who witnessed the kind of display that they had longed for, the hosts looking energised, attacking and also determined to put the hard work in as well, winning headers, 50/50s, and doing what it took to beat an in-form Plymouth Argyle side 2-1 to reach the Vertu Trophy semi-final thanks to goals from Izzy Jones and Jordan Clark.

Asked just how a difficult period it has been in his fledgling managerial career to date, Wilshere having been a number one in his own right for just 135 days, and what kind of lessons he has taken from it, Wilshere said: “I think that people will know but the way I manage and the way I coach is to try and support the players. Of course we have to try and get the right amount of challenge to them, accountability to them, but it’s a really good group that takes accountability, take responsibility and that was the way I went about it.

"I spoke to them after the game straight away and said I know it hurts, let’s review it, let’s make sure we stick together, make sure we keep the belief. Yes it really hurts now, but we have to keep the belief and then the next few days, with my staff, with my coaches, thinking about how we move, how we move forward. How we get the message across the game and we take the learning from that, but also a quick turnaround and opportunity to go into a semi-final. So I took some really big lessons out of the last few days, about myself, about the team, about the club, about everything and we responded really well.

"Now it’s about again how we respond and that’s the job, that’s the game that we’re in. We have to go to Port Vale with the same belief and put up the same performance where we look like we’re going to win a game, we look like we want to win a game. I spoke a lot about the belief and confidence and I felt like that’s a big step tonight and we have to build on this. We can do things better as well, we’ll take those learnings, but we have to build on this belief and confidence and look forward to a semi-final next week, but know it’s the next game. And that’s our mentality at the moment, the next game and I’ve learned a lot in the last few days.”

With performances chalk and cheese in such a short space of time, then on whether there was anything significant that happened during the brief time away at the Brache that enabled the Hatters to produce a far better display in midweek, Wilshere continued: “Not necessarily a moment, but when you’re losing games as staff, we have a lot of conversations. We sit down and we decide what way we’re going to go, what message we want the players to feel, how I want them to feel.

"Do I want them to feel that I’m angry, that I’m disappointed, whatever it is. We just try and stay the same we try and keep the same process. We review the game, 24 or 48 hours later, depending on the schedule and I think that’s important as you take a little bit of emotion out of it and you can be calm, be objective, you can talk to the players, what we did well, what we didn’t do well.

"There’s always some honest conversations like the goal we conceded the other day, it wasn’t good enough, so you have to stand up in those moments, the players have to be honest in those moments, which they are. We’ve got a really honest group, but then the other side of it, when you’re able to take the emotion out of it, I think they entered our box 32 times and we defended really, really well, so you have to also capture those moments and build off that.

"When you play against teams that have long throws, long set-plays, again a little bit like tonight and what we’re going to face a lot in this league, you have to highlight those moments as that’s important. We have to stay focused and in the game for 90, 95 minutes, however long it is and that was the message we took away from it.

"The other part was we wanted to be better on the ball in the second half if we want to try and go and get the second goal which we didn’t do. So we reviewed it that way and then before the game today, spoke about how we’re going to try and win this game. If it’s going to be a game where we can’t find our rhythm again, we have to keep the same mentality to fight, to win duels and defend our box, but we were better with the ball. Tonight, we found our rhythm, played with more purpose, more intent, and that’s how we’ll go forward.”

Speaking after the game, Argyle boss Tom Cleverley had stated his side were most definitely second best on the night, as he felt Luton did the basics far better. Having not done so anywhere near well enough against Burton a few days earlier, it was something Wilshere had clearly gone after, adding: “We talk about it a lot, I call it doing the simple things well and sometimes it’s not that simple, especially when your belief’s not there, when your confidence is not there, when things are getting on top of you.

"But I agree, I think we competed, we landed on second balls, we got our foot on second balls and made one or two passes to get out of the pressure really well and that’s what we work on a lot. This league is about that, it’s about duels, it’s about second balls and I remember my coach saying to me when I was 11 years old about earning the right and that’s what it looks like, winning duels, landing on seconds, managing regains.

"Then doing them over and over and over again until you then put the ball down and make one or two passes and bring your quality, bring your Jake Richards in, bring your Jordan Clark’s on the ball and Nahki (Wells) running behind. Without those things, without doing them, you don’t earn the right to have the ball and we haven’t done that well recently. It’s not for a lack of trying, I think it’s the belief. We allow teams to build pressure against us, they land on second balls and then they turn it into that type of game.

"We were good at that tonight and we have to look at it, review that, see the moments where we didn’t quite do it as there were some times in the second half as well when I thought we were allowing them to build pressure against us. But saying that, in this league I think you’ll always have those situations, you always have to cope with that, always have to win your duels and sometimes just kick the ball up the pitch and expect it to come back, so I thought we were good at that tonight.”