Fit-again Town defender gets an hour in U21s defeat to Magpies

Luton defender Gabe Osho played his first minutes of the season as he got an hour for the U21s in their 2-1 defeat to Notts County during a behind closed doors clash at the Brache yesterday.

The centre half, whose last appearance was the play-off final victory over Coventry City at Wembley, had been on the bench for Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest after being declared fit by boss Rob Edwards.

However, in a bid to up his minutes before Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa, he had an hour against the League Two outfit and on his efforts, U21s lead coach Adrian Forbes said: “The players have been in the fortunate position in the last couple of games to have Andros Townsend with them and now Gabe.

“He led by example and trained brilliantly with the group on Monday.

"He brought his first team knowledge and experience and encouraged the defenders around him and the midfielders in front of him.

“He came through unscathed and hopefully he can use this performance to show the manager he’s up to speed and ready for the first team.”

The hosts had created a number of opportunities in the opening 45 minutes, hitting the woodwork twice, only for the Magpies to score just before the break.

Luton were back on level terms when Millar Matthews-Lewis' deflected drive found the net with five minutes left, but County then grabbed a winner in the closing stages.

Discussing the contest, Forbes added: “It was a very positive first 25 minutes.

"We were on the front foot, aggressive and created many opportunities.

"I think if we had scored five goals in the first half nobody would have been surprised.

“However, the disappointing thing is that we took our foot off the gas and allowed Notts County into the game, and they deserved the win.”

Hatters: Jameson Horlick, Tyrell Giwa, Trialist, Axel Piesold, Gabe Osho, Claude Kayibanda, Jack Lorentzen-Jones, Zack Nelson (C), Oli Lynch, Marcus Daws, Millar Matthews-Lewis.

Subs: Will Houghton, Josh Phillips, Tobias Braney, Trialist.