Luton see off Forest Green Rovers to advance to FA Cup Second Round

Luton Town advanced to the Second Round of the FA Cup after seeing off National League outfit Forest Green Rovers.

A 2-0 win at Kenilworth Road was secured by first half strikes from Emilio Lawrence and Jordan Clark, as the Hatters won a re-run of last season’s First Round tie, if in less dramatic circumstances than the 4-3 seen a year ago.

Jack Wilshere’s side had been reshuffled from a midweek draw at Huddersfield in the league, with seven changes made, but the Hatters would make a flying start as they took the lead after four minutes.

A one-two move between Lawrence and Clark released the former to run through on goal and the man on loan from Manchester City duly got his strike under the Forest Green keeper Ethan Ross and into the back of the net.

Forest Green did have a few opportunities, with Luton keeper Josh Keeley denying Jayden Clarke’s deflected shot, Bryan Ifeanyi had an effort blocked by Mads Andersen and Sean Etaluku firing wide.

Luton would improve as the half wore on, with Dan Gore seeing a free-kick denied by Rovers’ Ross in the final ten minutes of the first half.

The Hatters would duly grab their second of the day in the 41st minute, as Gore picked out Clark, who duly saw his deflected effort beat Ross and find the back of the net for his third goal in as many games.

During the second half, Lawrence would see one strike go wide and another denied by Ross as the Hatters searched for a third goal to their name.

Forest Green Rovers would see a couple of opportunities to make things interesting fall their way in the latter stages, with Sean Abrefa seeing one shot deflected wide and another miss the target while substitute D’mani Bughail-Mellorine would hit the crossbar in stoppage time.

But Luton did the job and will see their name in the hat for Monday night’s Second Round draw. The Hatters are next in action when they host Peterborough in the EFL Trophy on 17 November, with a return to league action coming away at Burton Albion the following Saturday.