Dominant first half showing sees Luton ease past Leyton Orient

A dominant first half showing saw Luton record back-to-back home victories over the festive period as they defeated Leyton Orient 3-0 at Kenilworth Road this evening.

The Hatters made just one change to their side from Saturday’s 4-0 triumph against Wycombe Wanderers, with goalscorer Shayden Morris in for Cohen Bramall, who dropped to the bench, where he was joined by Reuell Walters for the first time in the league since the trip to Peterborough United in August.

Eager to produce a better showing than they had in east London a few weeks ago, Town made sure they did just that, breaking the deadlock early on yet again, as keeping hold of the ball in defence, Mads Andersen looked up and played a pass into the feet Kodua, who was able to receive it with centre half Omar Beckles trying and failing to intercept.

Having jumped out of position, it allowed the on-loan West Ham youngster to control, spin and drive towards the box, as once into shooting range, he arrowed into the bottom corner from 20 yards to score his eight goal of the season. Town almost gifted their opponents a way back into the contest soon afterwards, Lamine Fanne’s pass a poor one and Teden Mengi shrugged off the ball, which was cut back to ex-Luton youngster Tyreeq Bakinson, who saw Andersen do his job at the back, out well to crowd him out and get a good block in.

Things then got even better for the Hatters on 19 minutes as a corner was sent back in by Jordan Clark, as Nahki Wells nipped in front of Jack Simpson to draw a foul from the O’s defender which was spotted by referee Neil Hair who whistled for a penalty that saw Town’s captain Clark assume the responsibility and coolly roll into the bottom corner to double the hosts’ lead.

Luton looked like they were going to have a third midway through the first period as they worked the ball impressively up the right, Clark’s cross appearing destined to be turned in by Morris only for an O’s defender to slide in and divert back to keeper Tommy Simkin. The visitors tried to mount a comeback through Tom James, his free kick blocked behind for a corner and then letting fly with another attempt from further out that Josh Keeley was right behind.

The Hatters put the O’s to the sword further though on 37 minutes as Kodua was able to get away on the left under minimal pressure, easing past Beckles and sending a cross in that Wells flicked on for Morris to arrive at the back post and tap over the line. A pulsating run by Mengi from the back saw Clark’s fierce drive cannon into a defender as Walsh had his pocket picked which led to Jack Moorhouse having a pop that deflected behind for a corner Town were able to deal with.

A double change for Orient momentarily unsettled Luton as Sean Clare was able to get away on the right, his cross met by the completely unmarked Dominic Ballard who somehow toepoked over the bar when he simply had to score. Andersen put a header over the top with the last action of the first half, as Walsh made way at the break, George Saville on in his place, as O’s tried to cut the deficit in the early stages, Bakinson ambitiously over from range, while Ballard was straight at Keeley, with Town, as they had on Saturday, making another slow start to proceedings.

The introduction of Bramall on 56 minutes saw Luton up their attacking intensity again though as he quickly fizzed a cross in that was met by Kodua at the back post, Clark’s effort well repelled by an alert Simkin. Saville then sent over a cross which Clark directed wide of the target, as with 20 minutes left, Wilshere made a triple sub, Walters, Jerry Yates and Zack Nelson on for Wells, Nigel Lonwijk and Fanne.

Luton still weren’t at their best though, Mengi doing well to clear the ball away from the line after Orient sent in a dangerous corner, as the absence of Walsh really hindered their ability to be as dynamic in possession as they would like in the midfield areas. Late on, Ollie O’Neill cut in and fired goalwards, Keeley clawing away, but Town were able to win successive home games for the first time since Wilshere took over, as they ended what has been a bitterly disappointing 2025 with some green shoots of optimism.

Hatters: Josh Keeley, Nigel Lonwijk (Reuell Walters 69), Teden Mengi, Mads Andersen, Joe Johnson, Liam Walsh (George Saville 46), Lamine Fanne (Zack Nelson 69), Jordan Clark, Gideon Kodua, Nahki Wells (Jerry Yates 69), Shayden Morris (Cohen Bramall 56). Subs not used: James Shea, Jacob Brown.

O’s: Tommy Simkin, Tom James, Jack Simpson, Ollie O’Neill, Tyreeq Bakinson, Josh Koroma (Theo Archibald 44), Omar Beckles (C, Phil Chinedu 81), Jack Moorhouse (Demetri Mitchell 81), Charlie Wellens (Zech Obiero 44), Sean Clare, Dominic Ballard. Subs not used: Killian Cahill, Mitchell Craigh. Booked: Mengi 52, Nelson 90. Referee: Neil Hair. Attendance: 11,736 (1,327 O’s).