Luton reach EFL Trophy final after coming from behind to beat Northampton

Luton Town will play in the EFL Trophy after coming from behind to beat Northampton Town 2-1 at Kenilworth Road.

Northampton had lead at half time through Kyle McAdam, but second half strikes by Nahki Wells and Liam Walsh turned the game in the Hatters’ favour as Jack Wilshere’s side took the win.

Success means Luton will reach the final against Stockport County, which takes place at Wembley on April 12th, with the Hatters aiming to win the competition for the second time, having previously done so in 2009.

The match between the two League One sides after Luton’s reinstatement to the competition and subsequent win over Plymouth saw the Hatters and Cobblers face off with a match in the final at stake. The two sides knew they would be be playing Stockport in the final after they had beaten Doncaster the night before.

The game’s opening goal came after 17 minutes, as Terry Taylor’s free-kick picked out McAdam, who headed into the back of the Luton net for his first Cobblers goal.

Luton responded with pressure of their own, with Jake Richards seeing a shot blocked by Cobblers keeper Ross Fitzsimons while Wells would have a goal disallowed.

Hakeem Odoffin and Emilio Lawrence missed the target with strikes before the break as Luton attempted to find a first half breakthrough.

While they couldn’t equalise before the break, they would equalise in the opening stages of the second half, as Jordan Clark’s inviting cross fell for Wells to tap home from close range.

A tight game saw Northampton frustrate Luton as the Hatters attempted to try and find a way through. But in the final ten minutes, the home side would complete their comeback as Kal Naismith’s short corner fell for Walsh, who hit a strike that took a big deflection that left Fitzsimons grasping at air and the ball in the back of the Northampton net.

There was no coming back for Kevin Nolan’s visitors, who ultimately missed out on the opportunity to reach the EFL Trophy final for the first time.

Luton, by contrast, ground out the victory after taking the lead, and although they missed the chance to find a third goal that would’ve truly made sure, they still ground out the victory to book their place in the EFL Trophy final.