Luton progress in Carabao Cup after swatting aside Gillingham

Luton Town advanced to the Second Round of the Carabao Cup after a 3-0 win over Gillingham in Kent.

Goals from Nakhi Wells, Benny Benagr and Gideon Kodua did the job for the League One side as they won away at their League Two hosts, with Jack Wilshere’s side getting the job done.

The Hatters will now look forward to the Second Round, with the draw taking place tomorrow (10/08).

A sunny afternoon in Kent saw Luton begin the 2026/27 season with the First Round tie in the Carabao Cup, and Wilshere’s side began in the mood for goals.

They came close inside the opening three minutes as Jake Richards was denied by Gills keeper Owen Mason, with the home goalie called upon again a few moments later to keep out Jordan Clark.

Mason would then make further stops to save strikes by Clark and Benagr, but the visitors were on top at Priestfield and they broke the deadlock in the latter stages of the first half.

Wells would take the honours for Luton, with the experienced striker receiving a pass from first team debutant Jayden Luker and duly placing a strike into the back of the net.

A second goal would come Luton’s way just before the hour mark, as teenager Benagr marked his Luton first team debut with his first goal for the club. The youngster was on hand to get to the ball first after Mason denied Wells’ initial shot, and he duly got the ball over the line.

Benar would be replaced by Kodua, and the latter would also find his name on the scoreboard. The former West Ham man would also grab a rebound goal, with the substitute turning home after Harrison Ashby’s ball into the box could only be parried by Mason.

The result sees Luton advance to Round 2, while their attentions will also now turn to the start of the league season, which begins for Luton with a match against Reading next Saturday (15/08).