Managerless Luton tripped up in EFL Trophy at Cambridge United

Luton Town slid to defeat in the EFL Trophy as the managerless Hatters were beaten 3-1 away at Cambridge United.

In their first game after the dismissal of Matt Bloomfield, Luton had scored first at the Abbey Stadium through Mads Andersen. But an equaliser by Glenn McConnell and a brace by Elias Kachunga turned the game on its head, winning the day for the League 2 side.

The result means Luton slide to defeat in the second of their EFL Trophy assignments, with the Hatters’ hopes of qualification for the knockout stages now resting on their home match in late October against the Brighton academy side.

Luton arrived in Cambridge under the charge of interim boss and former player Alex Lawless, who was put in post after the sacking of Bloomfield earlier this week. The Hatters confirmed they are seeking the appointment of a new permanent boss, who would be their third full manager of 2025 when they are appointed.

Lawless opted to make six changes from defeat at Stevenage in their previous match, and after starting brightly, they took the lead in the 15th minute. Jordan Clark’s corner was flicked on Nigel Longwijk, and Andersen tapped the ball over the line.

But after both sides created and spurned numerous opportunities, it was Cambridge who equalised with 33 minutes on the clock, as McConnell curled a strike beyond Luton keeper James Shea.

Cambridge then took the lead within a minute of the restart, as Kachunga converted from Ben Purrington’s pass.

Most of the best opportunities for a third fell for Cambridge, who created and missed several chances before grabbing their third with 10 minutes of the 90 to go. Kachunga ran into space after Luton failed to clear the lines, and the German duly lobbed a strike home to make it 3-1.

Luton will be back in action on October 18th as they welcome Mansfield Town to Kenilworth Road, with the Hatters’ final EFL Trophy group stage game coming against the Brighton U21s in October 28th.