By SCM Sports Correspondent
LUTON, BEDFORDSHIRE — It might be the grandest stage in English football now, but the old ground still has a few secrets left in its back pocket.
Kenilworth Road, the venerable home of Premier League side Luton Town, may have traded its Championship status for the glitz of the top flight, but on Tuesday night, it was the raw, unadulterated passion of the EFL Trophy that lit up its famous, tight confines.
And what a show it was!
The Hatters’ second-string ran riot, delivering a stunning 4-0 thrashing to Exeter City to book their place in the next round.
For years, the stadium, affectionately known as ‘The Kenny’ or ‘The Shed’, has been lauded (and sometimes mocked) for its unique, in-your-face atmosphere—particularly that infamous entrance through a row of terraced houses on Maple Road. But those tight, suffocating stands seemed to channel pure energy into the home side.
With the Premier League squad rested, the Hatters’ bright young hopefuls clearly took inspiration from their surroundings, treating the fans who turned out on a chilly night to an exhibition of clinical finishing.
Lasse Selvåg Nordås started the party, netting in the 13th minute, and the noise from the Kenilworth Road end clearly spurred on the Hatters. Exeter, who are having a tough time of it in League One, simply could not cope with the pace and directness on the hallowed turf.
Shayden Morris doubled the lead with a clever finish on 34 minutes, before Nordås grabbed his second just before the break, sending the home faithful into delirium with a 3-0 half-time lead. The scoreboard, nestled between the residential stands, told a brutal tale for the Grecians.
The second half was a formality, but the youth players continued to make their mark on the historic pitch.
Exeter couldn’t get a foothold, and the game was capped off by a sensational strike from young Zack Nelson in the 67th minute, driving home the fourth goal of the night.
The 4-0 scoreline was a harsh reminder for the visitors of the challenge of playing at the tightest ground in the top tier—even when the first-team stars are watching from the comfort of the stands.
Luton Town’s Premier League journey is the talk of the town, but last night proved the pipeline is alive and well, and that Kenilworth Road remains a fortress no matter the competition.
The ground may be humble, but its atmosphere is now worth four goals alone!
