Timid Hatters fall to New Year's Day defeat at Exeter

Luton’s attacking woes reared their head once more this afternoon as they produced a woeful performance in the final third when being beaten 1-0 by lowly Exeter City.

Having scored seven goals without reply during the festive period, hopes of another attacking display were high from those who had made the long trip to Devon on New Year’s Day, but they were sadly misplaced during an increasingly timid 90 minutes. Despite dominating possession, having over 62 percent of the ball, Town could only muster a paltry six shots all game, but not one on target, as the hosts were able to send 16 at goal, five testing James Shea, Pierce Sweeney’s attempt early in the second half enough to decide the contest.

Having guaranteed changes following the 3-0 success over Leyton Orient, Town’s second match in quick succession, boss Jack Wilshere, who was celebrating his 34th birthday, stuck to his word with five in total. With keeper Josh Keeley missing his first league game of the season due to a hip injury, Shea came in for his first league start since August 2024 when he began the 1-0 Championship defeat at Preston North End.

Young defender Reuell Walters was handed a first league start since August, while George Saville, Cohen Bramall and Jerry Yates were all restored, as Mads Andersen, Nahki Wells and Lamine Fanne dropped to the bench, joined by teenagers Lucas Thomas and Harry Fox, Gideon Kodua missing out completely. The Hatters impressed in possession during the opening 10 minutes, producing some measured passing moves as they built well from the back, springing forward when they created some space to do so, Saville with a shot blocked and the impressive Joe Johnson with some clever skill to advance upfield as well.

Town were given a huge let-off on 15 minutes though as they were caught on the ball inside their own half as Sonny Cox was able to find the run of Jayden Wareham who fired past Shea, his effort hitting the inside of the post and fortunately bouncing away from goal. Luton then had an opening of their own moments later, Walters’ throw-in from the right finding Jordan Clark who was able to twist and turn to fashion a shooting opportunity that he sent into the stands.

Back came City though midway through the half as they started to show less respect to their visitors, forcing some real pressure from a corner, Wareham’s header palmed away from Shea, with the ball nervously cleared to the edge of the box where Sil Swinkels fired over. Town still didn’t ever look at their most secure defensively, at times leaving the ball and not reacting to the danger, as Lonwijk let it go over his head which caught out Mengi for Jack Aitchison to let fly, Walters deflecting behind for a corner.

Luton then produced some good approach play to free Morris inside the area, but with the angle narrowing, he could only shoot into the side-netting. Shea had to be on full alert to stop City moving ahead before the break, Cox having a crack from outside the box which took a nick, the keeper able to readjust and palm the shot up before gathering it in the last action of the opening 45 minutes. Just moments after the break, the keeper was picking the ball out of his net though as a free kick wasn’t cleared properly, a shot charged down with the ball dropping to Sweeney who curled his sidefooted effort beyond Shea.

The Luton stopper was almost beaten again just 60 seconds later as Ilmari Niskanen broke into the area and evaded the sliding challenge of Johnson, Mengi able to get back and tackle the ball behind. Town then utterly dominated possession for a good few minutes, knocking the ball from side to side with every player involved, but despite having all the possession, they couldn’t create anything, bar a cross from Bramall that was blocked, leading to the cries of ‘forward’ from the 1,000-plus visiting fans intensifying.

Exeter meanwhile showed how it’s done, with a brief spell pressure themselves which ended with Ethan Brierley letting fly from 20 yards, Shea having to arch his back and tip over the bar. Just after the hour mark, Wilshere made a double change, bringing on Wells and Jacob Brown for the ineffective Yates, who earned some sarcastic cheers from the away end, with Morris also off, the hosts also throwing on ex-Hatter Carlos Mendes Gomes.

Reece Cole then came on for the hosts and he had an opening almost immediately, dragging wide from the edge of the box as Wilshere went to his bench once more, bringing on Lamine Fanne and Zack Nelson for Saville and Walters, the former also earning some cheers when withdrawn. With 10 minutes left, Luton had their only real moment of threat, Lonwijk trying to replicate his Reading heroics, this time not getting a true connection which sent his effort into the path of Wells who went down under a challenge, referee Matthew Russell not answering his requests for a penalty.

Walsh then got forward again to find the run of Clark whose low shot appeared to be tipped behind by Whitworth only for a goal kick to be given. Despite time running out, Luton still opted to pass the ball around the midfield areas during the three minutes of stoppage time, managing just one delivery into the box, meaning there was no rousing grandstand finale as the Hatters ultimately began 2026 with a real whimper.

Grecians: Joe Whitworth, Jack McMillan, Jack Fitzwater, Ethan Brierley, Jayden Wareham, Jack Aitchison (Luca Woodhouse 88), Ilmari Niskanen, Sil Swinkels, Sonny Cox (Carlos Mendes Gomes 63), Pierce Sweeney ©, Jake Doyle Hayes (Reece Cole 69). Subs not used: Jack Bycroft, Ed Francis, Akeel Higgins, Liam Oakes.

Hatters: James Shea, Reuell Walters (Zack Nelson 76), Joe Johnson, Nigel Lonwijk, Teden Mengi, Liam Walsh, George Saville (Lamine Fanne 76), Jordan Clark, Shayden Morris (Jacon Brown 63), Cohen Bramall, Jerry Yates (Nahki Wells 63). Subs not used: Lucas Thomas, Mads Andersen, Harry Fox. Booked: Doyle-Hayes 25, Cox 29, Brown 67, Brierley 78. Referee: Matthew Russell. Attendance: 7,912.