| 2017–18 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Luton Town Football Club 2020 Limited | |||
| Chairman | Nick Owen (until 3 August 2017) David Wilkinson (from 28 April 2018) | |||
| Manager | Nathan Jones | |||
| Stadium | Kenilworth Road | |||
| League Two | 2nd (promoted) | |||
| FA Cup | Third round (eliminated byNewcastle United) | |||
| EFL Cup | First round (eliminated byIpswich Town) | |||
| EFL Trophy | Third round (eliminated byPeterborough United) | |||
| Top goalscorer | League:Danny Hylton (21) All: Danny Hylton (23) | |||
| Highest home attendance | 10,063 vsNotts County, League Two, 9 December 2017 | |||
| Lowest home attendance | 1,530 vsBarnet, EFL Trophy, 3 October 2017 | |||
| Average home league attendance | 8,676[1] | |||
The2017–18 season was the 132nd in the history ofLuton Town Football Club, a professionalassociation football club based inLuton,Bedfordshire, England. Their fourth-place finish in2016–17 and defeat toBlackpool in theplay-offs meant it was the club's fourth consecutive season inLeague Two and 92nd season in theEnglish Football League. The season ran from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018.
The2016–17 season wasNathan Jones' first full season as manager ofLuton Town, having been appointed in January 2016.[2] Luton finished in fourth-place in the2016–17 League Two table,[3] having spent only one week of the season outside the top seven positions.[4] This meant they reached theplay-offs, and were beaten 6–5 onaggregate byBlackpool in the play-off semi-final, with the tie decided in the fifth minute ofstoppage time by anown goal from goalkeeperStuart Moore, who was onloan fromReading.[5][6]
At the end of the 2016–17 season, Luton releasedStephen O'Donnell,Danny Green,Zane Banton,Craig Mackail-Smith and Liam Gooch.[7]Jonathan Smith,Josh McQuoid andJake Gray were placed on the transfer list,[8] with the latter signing forYeovil Town for an undisclosed fee.[9]Cameron McGeehan andJack Marriott were sold toChampionship andLeague One clubsBarnsley andPeterborough United respectively for undisclosed fees.[10][11]Dan Potts was retained with a new one-year contract,[12] while Craig King rejected a new contract in favour of dropping intonon-League.[13]James Justin signed a new three-year contract after Luton rejected a reported seven-figure bid from Championship clubNottingham Forest, while midfielderPelly Ruddock Mpanzu extended his own contract at the club until 2020.[14][15] Luton made eight summer signings, includinggoalkeepersMarek Štěch fromSparta Prague,[16]James Shea fromAFC Wimbledon,[17]Harry Isted fromStoke City,[18]defenderJack Stacey from Reading,[19]midfieldersAlan McCormack fromBrentford,[20]Andrew Shinnie on loan fromBirmingham City,[21] andstrikersJames Collins fromCrawley Town,[22] andElliot Lee from Barnsley.[23]
In terms of backroom staff, Luton chairmanNick Owen, who had fronted the consortium that took over and stabilised the club in 2008, announced he was to step down from the position on 3 August.[24]
| Date | Opponents | Venue | Result | Score F–A | Scorers | Attendance | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 July 2017 | Hitchin Town | A | D | 2–2 | Tomlinson 60', James 73' | 1,332 | [25] |
| 8 July 2017 | Bedford Town | A | W | 2–1 | Collins 22',Potts 72'pen. | 1,279 | [26] |
| 15 July 2017 | NK Bravo | A | W | 6–2 | Vassell (2) 8', 40',Cook 42', Collins (2) 58', 79',E. Lee 86' pen. | — | [27] |
| 18 July 2017 | Hitchin Town | A | W | 2–0 | Rea 50', Collins 86' | 533 | [28] |
| 22 July 2017 | Boreham Wood | A | W | 2–0 | Mpanzu 12',O. Lee 51' | — | [29] |
| 26 July 2017 | Leicester City | H | L | 0–1 | 4,237 | [30] | |
| 29 July 2017 | Scunthorpe United | H | W | 2–1 | Collins 22' pen.,Stacey 81' | 1,735 | [31] |
Luton began the season at home to Yeovil Town and won the match 8–2, the club's biggestFootball League victory since a 6–0 win overCrewe Alexandra in December 1996.[32][33]Otis Khan gave the away team the lead in the seventh minute with afree kick from 22 yards, beforeOlly Lee equalised five minutes later with a volley fromIsaac Vassell's cross.[32] James Collins put Luton in front on 19 minutes when he chipped the ball over goalkeeperArtur Krysiak and into the net, before Alan McCormack scored with a volley from 25 yards five minutes later to make the score 3–1.[32] Vassell then scored twice in two minutes to give Luton a 5–1 lead, before Marek Štěch saved apenalty from Khan to ensure the score remained the same going intohalf-time.[32] Collins scored twice in eight minutes after half-time to complete hishat-trick, beforeFrançois Zoko scored a consolation goal for Yeovil a minute later with a header fromRyan Dickson's cross, and Elliot Lee scored Luton's eighth goal in the ninth minute of stoppage time.[32] Transfer-listed midfielder Jonathan Smith had his contract with Luton terminated by mutual consent, allowing him to joinStevenage,[34] while forwardHarry Cornick was signed fromAFC Bournemouth on a two-year contract, with the option of a one-year extension, for an undisclosed fee.[35] Luton were knocked out of theEFL Cup in the first round after being beaten 2–0 at home to Championship clubIpswich Town, who scored in each half throughDavid McGoldrick.[36]Frankie Musonda signed a new contract with Luton, which contracted him to the club until the summer of 2019,[37] andKavan Cotter joinedSouthern League Premier Division clubHitchin Town on a one-month youth loan.[38] Luton suffered their first league defeat of the season after losing 1–0 toBarnet, who scored in second-half stoppage time throughJack Taylor with a 25-yard curling shot.[39] Vassell joined Championship club Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee.[40]
Luton's first match in theEFL Trophy was at home toTottenham Hotspur U21, and took the lead in the 19th minute throughLuke Gambin with a drilled shot into the bottom corner, before the visitors equalised two minutes later when James Shea scored an own goal after Joe Pritchard's shot hit the post and rebounded off him.[41] After going behind two minutes after half-time toRyan Loft's goal, Josh McQuoid equalised on 51 minutes with a header fromJack James' cross.[41] The match finished 2–2 and Luton went on to win thepenalty shoot-out 4–2.[41] This was followed by a 3–0 win at home toColchester United, in which Olly Lee gave Luton the lead in first-half stoppage time after Colchester failed to clear a corner.[42] Collins doubled the lead on 52 minutes with a curling shot into the top corner before Dan Potts touched inAlan Sheehan's free kick in the 83rd minute.[42] MidfielderLuke Berry was signed fromCambridge United on a three-year contract, with the option of a one-year extension, for an undisclosed fee.[43] Luton drew 2–2 away toMansfield Town, who took the lead in the 23rd minute throughRhys Bennett after Luton failed to make a clearance, beforeLee Angol doubled the lead on 71 minutes.[44] Collins brought Luton back into the match in the 85th minute with a tap-in from close range, beforeDanny Hylton equalised four minutes later with a header from two yards.[44] Štěch then saved a penalty fromJimmy Spencer in the sixth minute of stoppage time to ensure the score remained 2–2.[44]Tyreeq Bakinson joined Championship clubBristol City for an undisclosed fee,[45] while strikerAaron Jarvis was signed fromBasingstoke Town on a one-year contract, with the option of a one-year extension, for an undisclosed fee.[46]
Luton recorded their second successive away draw as they drew 0–0 with newly promotedLincoln City.[47] This was followed by a 3–0 defeat at home toSwindon Town, in whichScott Cuthbert wassent off in the 32nd minute for shirt pulling in thepenalty area, withLuke Norris scoring the resulting penalty to give the visitors the lead.[48]Chris Hussey doubled Swindon's lead six minutes after half-time, andPaul Mullin finished the scoring on 62 minutes with a powerful shot past Štěch.[48] Luton returned to winning ways after a 2–0 win at home toPort Vale.[49]Ben Whitfield scored an own goal on 38 minutes to put Luton in front before Jack Stacey scored five minutes after half-time with a powerful shot into the roof of the net to make the score 2–0, having run 60 yards in the process.[49] Luton went behind away toWycombe Wanderers whenAdebayo Akinfenwa scored a header fromMichael Harriman's cross in the 40th minute, before goalkeeperScott Brown saved a penalty from Hylton on 52 minutes after he was fouled byJoe Jacobson.[50] Cuthbert equalised with a volley in the 90th minute, and Collins scored with a close-range header in the eighth minute of stoppage time, meaning the match ended in a 2–1 win for Luton.[50] Cotter returned to Hitchin Town on a one-month youth loan,[51] while McQuoid was loaned toNational League clubTorquay United for three months.[52] Hylton scored the only goal in the 53rd minute as Luton recorded a third successive victory after a 1–0 win at home toChesterfield.[53] Luton's run of wins ended with a 0–0 draw away toMorecambe, in which Jarvis made his debut as asubstitute in the 87th minute.[54][55] Sheehan scored a free kick to give Luton a 12th-minute lead at home toNewport County, before Hylton doubled the lead from close range 10 minutes later.[56] Hylton then scored a penalty in the 35th minute to make the score 3–0 afterBen Tozer handled the ball in the penalty area, andJoss Labadie scored a consolation goal for Newport 10 minutes into the second half with a volley, the match finishing 3–1.[56]
Luton went behind at home to Barnet in the EFL Trophy when Shea fouledAndre Blackman in the penalty area, with Jack Taylor scoring the resulting penalty to give the visitors the lead in the 63rd minute, before Elliot Lee equalised two minutes later with a 20-yard curling shot.[57] The match finished 1–1 and Luton won the penalty shoot-out 4–3.[57] Luton won 2–0 away toAccrington Stanley, a result that saw them move above Accrington into third place in the table.[58] Collins opened the scoring with a tap-in on 22 minutes, and Hylton doubled the lead with a penalty late in the first half after Sheehan was tripped byJanoi Donacien in the penalty area.[58] Berry scored a header to give Luton a third-minute lead at home to Stevenage, and Hylton scored four minutes later when he capitalised on a defensive mistake to make the score 2–0.[59] Berry made it 3–0 with a shot into the bottom corner on 21 minutes, beforeBen Kennedy pulled one back for Stevenage in first-half stoppage time.[59] Hylton scored a penalty early into the second half, before Berry completed his hat-trick 10 minutes later with a 20-yard curling shot, and with further goals from Gambin and James Justin in stoppage time, the match finished 7–1.[59]
Luton moved to the top of the table after a 4–1 win away toExeter City.[60] Collins opened the scoring for Luton from close range in the eighth minute, before Exeter equalised whenJake Taylor curled a shot into the top corner on 21 minutes.[60] Potts restored Luton's lead shortly after half-time, before Hylton made it 3–1 with a powerful shot past goalkeeperChristy Pym in the 52nd minute, and Cornick finished the scoring three minutes later with a tap-in from close range from Hylton's cross.[60] Luton's run of four successive league wins ended after drawing 0–0 away to Crawley Town, who had lost their last four home matches.[61] Cotter's loan at Hitchin was extended for another month.[62] A 3–0 defeat at home toCoventry City saw Luton's nine-match unbeaten run in the league come to an end, with the visitors taking the lead in the 17th minute throughMarc McNulty with a header.[63][64] Coventry scored twice in second-half stoppage time, the first coming after Rea was sent off for a foul on McNulty, withJordan Shipley scoring the resulting free kick, and the second was scored byDuckens Nazon four minutes later to finish the scoring.[63] Luton progressed to the second round of the EFL Trophy as Southern Group F winners after a 2–1 win away to AFC Wimbledon, in which they took the lead in the 12th minute when Andrew Shinnie's shot beat goalkeeperJoe McDonnell.[65]Lyle Taylor equalised for AFC Wimbledon two minutes later with a shot into the bottom corner from close range, before Shinnie scored the winner on 72 minutes with a side-footed shot into the bottom corner.[65]
Luton won 1–0 in their first-round match of theFA Cup at home toPortsmouth, in which Collins scored the only goal in first-half stoppage time with a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.[66] Potts scored a header from Sheehan's corner to give Luton an 11th-minute lead away toCheltenham Town, before the home team equalised throughJamie Grimes on 37 minutes.[67] Elliot Lee put Luton back in front in the 86th minute when Sheehan's free kick hit the wall and fell to him inside the six-yard box before shooting into the bottom corner, andWill Boyle equalised for Cheltenham in the seventh minute of stoppage time from close range followingJerell Sellars' corner, the match finishing a 2–2 draw.[67]Jack Senior signed a one-year contract extension with Luton, with the option of a further year.[68] Luton moved back into the automaticpromotion places after beating Cambridge United 7–0 at home, in which they took the lead after Potts scored from close range in the 24th minute.[69] Olly Lee doubled the lead seven minutes later after chipping goalkeeperDavid Forde from 65 yards before Hylton scored on 35 minutes with a shot into the bottom corner to make the score 3–0.[69] Elliot Lee extended the lead in first-half stoppage time with a volley into the top corner.[69] Hylton scored from Stacey's cross in the 81st minute, before Elliot Lee scored Luton's sixth goal from 20 yards, and Hylton completed his hat-trick in the second minute of stoppage time from Sheehan's free kick.[69] Cotter had his loan at Hitchin extended for another month.[70]
Luton returned to the top of the table after a 3–0 win at home toCarlisle United, a result that ended Carlisle's seven-match unbeaten run.[71] Shinnie gave Luton the lead in the 19th minute with a curling shot before Potts made it 2–0 with a diving header on 30 minutes.[71] Cornick extended the lead in the 76th minute with a breakaway goal, andJack Bonham saved a penalty from Hylton two minutes later to ensure the score remained 3–0.[71] November ended with a third successive league win after Luton won 2–1 away to Crewe Alexandra, and took the lead in the 63rd minute with a Hylton shot that went in off the crossbar.[72] Berry doubled the lead with a drilled shot four minutes later, and Crewe recorded a consolation goal afterJohnny Mullins scored an own goal on 81 minutes.[72]
Luton progressed to the third round of the FA Cup after beatingGateshead 5–0 away in the second round, in which Olly Lee opened the scoring in the 40th minute with a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area.[73] Potts doubled the lead on 62 minutes with a header from Shinnie's cross before Elliot Lee made it 3–0 five minutes later, and Luton finished the scoring in second-half stoppage time through Hylton and Berry.[73] Cotter was recalled from his loan at Hitchin, and started in Luton's 4–0 home win overWest Ham United U21 in the EFL Trophy second round.[74]Lawson D'Ath gave Luton a 28th-minute lead with a header into the top corner from close range from Gambin's cross, and the lead was doubled 11 minutes into the second half through Jarvis with a half-volley from the edge of the penalty area.[74] Cotter extended the lead in the 86th minute with a drilled shot from 15 yards, beforeJordan Cook finished the scoring in stoppage time when an attempted clearance from goalkeeperNathan Trott rebounded off him and into the net.[74] Cotter was loaned back to Hitchin on a one-month youth loan.[75] Luton drew their next match 1–1 at home toNotts County, having taken the lead through Mullins in the 26th minute with a header from Sheehan's corner before the away team equalised whenShola Ameobi headed the ball over Štěch and into the net fromJorge Grant's free kick in the 61st minute.[76]
Luton extended their unbeaten league run to six matches after a 2–0 win away toForest Green Rovers, in which Sheehan gave Luton the lead in first-half stoppage time with a drilled shot in off the post.[77] Stacey was sent off on 60 minutes after catchingDan Wishart with a high boot, before Hylton extended the lead in the 68th minute with a tap-in after capitalising on a slip from goalkeeperBradley Collins in the penalty area.[77] Jarvis joined National League clubBoreham Wood on a one-month youth loan, while striker Michael Shamalo joined Southern League Division One East clubBarton Rovers on work experience.[78] Luton won 2–0 at home toGrimsby Town, ending Grimsby's four-match unbeaten run and saw them move four points clear at the top of the table.[79] Berry scored from 25 yards to give Luton a 40th-minute lead, before Collins made it 2–0 with a header into the bottom corner from Sheehan's free kick in the 61st minute.[79] This was followed by a 5–0 home victory over Swindon Town, in which Luton took the lead three minutes into the second half through Collins with a curling shot into the top-left corner.[80] Hylton doubled the lead seven minutes later with a header, his 15th goal of the season, beforeMatthew Taylor scored an own goal on 66 minutes from a Collins cross.[80] Cornick made it 4–0 with a powerful shot in the 72nd minute, and Elliot Lee finished the scoring six minutes from time from a low curling shot.[80] Luton's 12-match unbeaten run came to an end after a 4–0 away defeat to Port Vale in their final match of 2017.[81] An own goal scored by Mullins gave the home team the lead in the 23rd minute, and in the second halfTom Pope scored twice, the first coming in the 60th minute and the second coming in the 82nd minute, either side of Ben Whitfield's 70th-minute goal.[81]
Luton ended Lincoln City's seven-match unbeaten run with a 4–2 home victory on New Year's Day.[82] Sheehan was sent off in the fourth minute after an altercation withMatt Rhead, withMichael Bostwick scoring the resulting 25-yard free kick to give Lincoln an early lead.[82] Collins equalised from close range in the 32nd minute, beforeMatt Green restored Lincoln's lead two minutes later with a volley.[82] However,Harry Anderson was sent off on 36 minutes after receiving a secondyellow card for a foul on Shinnie, and Justin scored shortly before half-time with a shot from 22 yards into the bottom corner to make the score 2–2.[82] Hylton converted Berry's cross in the 72nd minute, before Cornick finished the scoring 10 minutes later after he cut inside and scored with a powerful shot.[82] Luton were beaten 3–1 in their third-round match of the FA Cup away toNewcastle United of thePremier League, who were three goals up by half-time with two goals fromAyoze Pérez and one fromJonjo Shelvey.[83] Hylton scored a consolation goal for Luton early in the second half after rounding goalkeeperFreddie Woodman.[83]
Luton were eliminated from the EFL Trophy after a 7–6 penalty shoot-out defeat to Peterborough United in the third round, and their best chance of the match came in the 37th minute when Cook's header hit the post from Cornick's cross.[84] Luton lost 2–0 away to Chesterfield, who scored twice within a six-minute period,Joe Rowley scoring the opening goal in the 19th minute with a shot from eight yards, andJak McCourt scored a penalty afterZavon Hines was tripped by Justin.[85] Isted and James joinedChesham United and Hitchin of the Southern League Premier Division on a one-month youth loan and work experience respectively.[86][87] Mullins scored a 64th-minute header from Olly Lee's free kick as Luton beat Morecambe 1–0 at home, moving six points clear at the top of the table.[88] McQuoid's contract with Luton was cancelled by mutual consent.[89] Luton recorded a second successive 1–0 victory away to Grimsby Town, with Collins scoring a 49th-minute winner from close range after goalkeeperBen Killip tipped a Berry free kick onto the crossbar.[90] Luton had fallen two goals behind at home to Wycombe Wanderers by the 39th minute of a 3–2 defeat, who scored throughParis Cowan-Hall andNathan Tyson.[91] Elliot Lee brought Luton back into the match four minutes later with a shot into the bottom corner, before Wycombe restored their two-goal advantage through a second goal from Tyson on 70 minutes, and Lee scored a consolation goal, his second of the match in the 78th minute.[91] DefenderLloyd Jones and forwardJake Jervis were signed fromLiverpool andPlymouth Argyle respectively on two-and-a-half-year contracts for undisclosed fees, while midfielderFlynn Downes joined on loan from Ipswich Town until the end of the season.[92]
Cornick scored in the 38th minute with a deflected 18-yard shot as Luton beat their promotion rivals Exeter City 1–0 at home.[93] Musonda went on a one-month youth loan toNational League South clubOxford City.[94] Luton saw their lead at the top of the table reduced to six points after a 1–1 draw away to Stevenage, in which they took the lead through Collins with a penalty five minutes from time after he was fouled byRonnie Henry, beforeDanny Newton equalised for Stevenage three minutes later with a header from a Ben Kennedy corner.[95] Cotter rejoined Hitchin on a one-month youth loan.[96] Luton won 4–1 at home to Crawley Town, and took the lead in the 29th minute with an Olly Lee shot that went in off the crossbar, before Collins doubled the lead shortly before half-time with a deflected header from Lee's corner.[97][98] Berry extended the lead with a drilled shot on 55 minutes, and Collins scored a 75th-minute penalty to make the score 4–0, before Crawley recorded a consolation goal throughKarlan Ahearne-Grant three minutes from time.[97] Shea signed a two-year contract extension with Luton, which contracted him to the club until 2020.[99] Luton drew 2–2 at home to Cheltenham Town, who took the lead throughJoe Morrell with a 30-yard shot in the 41st minute, and after Collins had a penalty saved byScott Flinders,Mohamed Eisa doubled Cheltenham's lead early in the second half.[100] Berry brought Luton back into the match on 58 minutes from close range before Sheehan headed an equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time from Gambin's corner.[100]
Luton were held by Cambridge United to a 1–1 away draw, in which they took the lead in the 33rd minute when Collins rebounded in Hylton's parried shot, before he was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in four second-half minutes, andJabo Ibehre equalised on 83 minutes with a header fromBrad Halliday's cross.[101] James' work experience loan at Hitchin was extended until 25 March.[102] Luton were knocked off the top of the table by Accrington Stanley after a 2–1 home defeat, having topped the table since November.[103]Sean McConville gave Accrington the lead with a curling shot into the top corner shortly before half-time, before Elliot Lee equalised in the 61st minute from Stacey's 70-yard pass, andBilly Kee scored the winner in the third minute of stoppage time with a drilled shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards.[103][104] Luton drew 2–2 away to Coventry City, who took a two-goal lead in the first half throughPeter Vincenti and Marc McNulty.[105] Cuthbert pulled one back for Luton in the 55th minute with a header from Sheehan's free kick, before Collins headed an equaliser two minutes from time from Gambin's cross.[105] Cotter joined Oxford City on loan for the rest of the season, while Musonda's loan was extended until the end of the season.[106] Luton were held 1–1 away to Newport County, who took the lead in the second minute throughJosh Sheehan who followed up for the rebound afterAaron Collins' shot was saved by Štěch, before Potts equalised with a header on 23 minutes.[107] Luton returned to the top of the table after beating Barnet 2–0 at home, ending a run of five matches without a win.[108][109] Hylton headed Luton into the lead on 47 minutes and Collins scored with a volley in the 67th minute.[108] Luton lost 2–1 away to Colchester United, who were two goals up at half-time with goals fromTom Eastman andLuke Prosser before Hylton scored a penalty late in the second half after Gambin was fouled byRyan Jackson in the penalty area.[110]
Luton won 2–1 at home to Mansfield Town; having gone behind on 34 minutes toKane Hemmings' goal, Collins equalised in the 61st minute from Mpanzu's cross, before Rea scored the winner with a tap-in 10 minutes later after goalkeeperConrad Logan parried Sheehan's free kick into his path.[111] Elliot Lee gave Luton a fourth-minute lead away to Yeovil Town from Hylton's flicked header, before the latter scored a penalty in the 20th minute after he was fouled by Ryan Dickson, who was sent off.[112] François Zoko was then shown ared card on 32 minutes for an off-the-ball incident with McCormack, before Hylton made the score 3–0 from the rebound shortly before half-time after his initial shot from Collins' cross had hit the post.[112][113] Luton then played Crewe Alexandra at home, who took the lead in the 35th minute throughJordan Bowery before Hylton equalised four minutes later with his 22nd goal of the season.[114] Elliot Lee scored with a curling shot in first-half stoppage time, and Mpanzu finished the scoring with a 30-yard shot into the top corner early into the second half, meaning the match ended in a 3–1 win for Luton.[114][115] Luton were promoted to League One after a 10-year absence following a 1–1 draw away to Carlisle United.[116] Carlisle took the lead in the 13th minute whenDanny Grainger scored a penalty afterRichie Bennett was tripped by Shea in the penalty area, before Olly Lee equalised for Luton on 62 minutes from close range after a 20-yard shot from Hylton was parried by goalkeeper Jack Bonham.[117] David Wilkinson was appointed as Nick Owen's successor as chairman.[118] Luton's final home match of the season ended in a 3–1 victory over Forest Green Rovers, in which they took the lead in the 20th minute through Hylton who followed up for the rebound after Collins' shot was saved by goalkeeperCameron Belford, beforeChristian Doidge equalised for the away team on 53 minutes.[119] Olly Lee restored Luton's lead in the 86th minute when he converted Cornick's cross, and Mpanzu finished the scoring three minutes later with a deflected 20-yard shot.[119][120] The result meant Luton secured second place in the table, with Accrington winning theLeague Two title.[119][120] Luton's final match of the season was a 0–0 away draw with Notts County, in which Hylton was sent off for a second bookable offence.[121]
| Date | League position | Opponents | Venue | Result | Score F–A | Scorers | Attendance | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 August 2017 | 1st | Yeovil Town | H | W | 8–2 | O. Lee 12',Collins (3) 19', 58', 66',McCormack 24',Vassell (2) 36', 38',E. Lee 90+9' | 8,101 | [32] |
| 12 August 2017 | 8th | Barnet | A | L | 0–1 | 3,555 | [39] | |
| 19 August 2017 | 3rd | Colchester United | H | W | 3–0 | O. Lee 45+3', Collins 52',Potts 83' | 7,865 | [42] |
| 26 August 2017 | 5th | Mansfield Town | A | D | 2–2 | Collins 85',Hylton 89' | 4,665 | [44] |
| 2 September 2017 | 6th | Lincoln City | A | D | 0–0 | 9,332 | [47] | |
| 9 September 2017 | 13th | Swindon Town | H | L | 0–3 | 8,455 | [48] | |
| 12 September 2017 | 9th | Port Vale | H | W | 2–0 | Whitfield 38'o.g.,Stacey 50' | 7,046 | [49] |
| 16 September 2017 | 4th | Wycombe Wanderers | A | W | 2–1 | Cuthbert 90', Collins 90+8' | 5,512 | [50] |
| 23 September 2017 | 3rd | Chesterfield | H | W | 1–0 | Hylton 53' | 7,575 | [53] |
| 26 September 2017 | 5th | Morecambe | A | D | 0–0 | 1,354 | [54] | |
| 30 September 2017 | 5th | Newport County | H | W | 3–1 | Sheehan 12', Hylton (2) 22', 35'pen. | 7,681 | [56] |
| 7 October 2017 | 3rd | Accrington Stanley | A | W | 2–0 | Collins 22', Hylton 44' pen. | 2,193 | [58] |
| 14 October 2017 | 3rd | Stevenage | H | W | 7–1 | Berry (3) 3', 21', 62', Hylton (2) 7', 52' pen.,Justin 90',Gambin 90+3' | 9,208 | [59] |
| 17 October 2017 | 1st | Exeter City | A | W | 4–1 | Collins 8', Potts 46', Hylton 52',Cornick 55' | 4,209 | [60] |
| 21 October 2017 | 1st | Crawley Town | A | D | 0–0 | 3,494 | [61] | |
| 28 October 2017 | 3rd | Coventry City | H | L | 0–3 | 9,670 | [63] | |
| 11 November 2017 | 4th | Cheltenham Town | A | D | 2–2 | Potts 11', E. Lee 86' | 3,900 | [67] |
| 18 November 2017 | 2nd | Cambridge United | H | W | 7–0 | Potts 24', O. Lee 31', Hylton (3) 35', 81', 90+2', E. Lee (2) 45+3', 88' | 8,721 | [69] |
| 21 November 2017 | 1st | Carlisle United | H | W | 3–0 | Shinnie 19', Potts 30', Cornick 76' | 7,644 | [71] |
| 25 November 2017 | 1st | Crewe Alexandra | A | W | 2–1 | Hylton 63', Berry 67' | 4,571 | [72] |
| 9 December 2017 | 1st | Notts County | H | D | 1–1 | Mullins 26' | 10,063 | [76] |
| 16 December 2017 | 1st | Forest Green Rovers | A | W | 2–0 | Sheehan 45+1', Hylton 68' | 2,546 | [77] |
| 23 December 2017 | 1st | Grimsby Town | H | W | 2–0 | Berry 40', Collins 61' | 9,102 | [79] |
| 26 December 2017 | 1st | Swindon Town | A | W | 5–0 | Collins 48', Hylton 55',Taylor 66' o.g., Cornick 72', E. Lee 84' | 8,526 | [80] |
| 30 December 2017 | 1st | Port Vale | A | L | 0–4 | 5,523 | [81] | |
| 1 January 2018 | 1st | Lincoln City | H | W | 4–2 | Collins 32', Justin 43', Hylton 72', Cornick 82' | 9,659 | [82] |
| 13 January 2018 | 1st | Chesterfield | A | L | 0–2 | 5,715 | [85] | |
| 20 January 2018 | 1st | Morecambe | H | W | 1–0 | Mullins 64' | 8,476 | [88] |
| 27 January 2018 | 1st | Grimsby Town | A | W | 1–0 | Collins 49' | 4,159 | [90] |
| 30 January 2018 | 1st | Wycombe Wanderers | H | L | 2–3 | E. Lee (2) 43', 78' | 8,564 | [91] |
| 3 February 2018 | 1st | Exeter City | H | W | 1–0 | Cornick 38' | 8,788 | [93] |
| 10 February 2018 | 1st | Stevenage | A | D | 1–1 | Collins 85' pen. | 4,365 | [95] |
| 13 February 2018 | 1st | Crawley Town | H | W | 4–1 | O. Lee 29', Collins (2) 45', 75' pen., Berry 55' | 8,020 | [97] |
| 24 February 2018 | 1st | Cheltenham Town | H | D | 2–2 | Berry 58', Sheehan 90+2' | 8,453 | [100] |
| 3 March 2018 | 1st | Cambridge United | A | D | 1–1 | Collins 33' | 6,722 | [101] |
| 10 March 2018 | 2nd | Accrington Stanley | H | L | 1–2 | E. Lee 61' | 9,503 | [103] |
| 13 March 2018 | 2nd | Coventry City | A | D | 2–2 | Cuthbert 55', Collins 88' | 8,863 | [105] |
| 17 March 2018 | 2nd | Newport County | A | D | 1–1 | Potts 23' | 3,512 | [107] |
| 24 March 2018 | 1st | Barnet | H | W | 2–0 | Hylton 47', Collins 67' | 8,140 | [108] |
| 30 March 2018 | 2nd | Colchester United | A | L | 1–2 | Hylton 88' pen. | 5,461 | [110] |
| 2 April 2018 | 2nd | Mansfield Town | H | W | 2–1 | Collins 61',Rea 71' | 9,592 | [111] |
| 7 April 2018 | 2nd | Yeovil Town | A | W | 3–0 | E. Lee 4', Hylton (2) 20' pen., 40' | 4,316 | [112] |
| 14 April 2018 | 2nd | Crewe Alexandra | H | W | 3–1 | Hylton 39', E. Lee 45+2',Mpanzu 51' | 9,202 | [114] |
| 21 April 2018 | 2nd | Carlisle United | A | D | 1–1 | O. Lee 62' | 5,523 | [116] |
| 28 April 2018 | 2nd | Forest Green Rovers | H | W | 3–1 | Hylton 20', O. Lee 86', Mpanzu 89' | 10,029 | [119] |
| 5 May 2018 | 2nd | Notts County | A | D | 0–0 | 12,184 | [121] |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accrington Stanley(C, P) | 46 | 29 | 6 | 11 | 76 | 46 | +30 | 93 | Promotion toEFL League One |
| 2 | Luton Town(P) | 46 | 25 | 13 | 8 | 94 | 46 | +48 | 88 | |
| 3 | Wycombe Wanderers(P) | 46 | 24 | 12 | 10 | 79 | 60 | +19 | 84 | |
| 4 | Exeter City | 46 | 24 | 8 | 14 | 64 | 54 | +10 | 80 | Qualification forLeague Two play-offs[a] |
| 5 | Notts County | 46 | 21 | 14 | 11 | 71 | 48 | +23 | 77 |
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 46 | 25 | 13 | 8 | 94 | 46 | +48 | 88 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 62 | 24 | +38 | 8 | 11 | 4 | 32 | 22 | +10 |
Source:[122]
| Round | Date | Opponents | Venue | Result | Score F–A | Scorers | Attendance | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First round | 4 November 2017 | Portsmouth | H | W | 1–0 | Collins 45+1' | 5,333 | [66] |
| Second round | 3 December 2017 | Gateshead | A | W | 5–0 | O. Lee 40',Potts 62',E. Lee 67',Hylton 90+1',Berry 90+4' | 1,339 | [73] |
| Third round | 6 January 2018 | Newcastle United | A | L | 1–3 | Hylton 49' | 47,069 | [83] |
| Round | Date | Opponents | Venue | Result | Score F–A | Scorers | Attendance | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First round | 8 August 2017 | Ipswich Town | H | L | 0–2 | 4,610 | [36] |
| Round | Date | Opponents | Venue | Result | Score F–A | Scorers | Attendance | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First round | 15 August 2017 | Tottenham Hotspur U21 | H | D | 2–2 4–2pens. | Gambin 19',McQuoid 51' | 2,699 | [41] |
| First round | 3 October 2017 | Barnet | H | D | 1–1 4–3 pens. | E. Lee 65' | 1,530 | [57] |
| First round | 31 October 2017 | AFC Wimbledon | A | W | 2–1 | Shinnie (2) 12', 72' | 581 | [65] |
| Second round | 5 December 2017 | West Ham United U21 | H | W | 4–0 | D'Ath 28',Jarvis 56',Cotter 86',Cook 90+1' | 1,670 | [74] |
| Third round | 9 January 2018 | Peterborough United | H | D | 0–0 6–7 pens. | 2,253 | [84] |
| Pos | Lge | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L2 | Luton Town(A) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 7 | Round 2 |
| 2 | L1 | AFC Wimbledon(A) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 8 | +1 | 6 | |
| 3 | L2 | Barnet(E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 4 | |
| 4 | ACA | Tottenham Hotspur U21(E) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | −2 | 1 |
| Date | Player | Club† | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 June 2017 | Jack Stacey | Reading | Undisclosed | [19] |
| 29 June 2017 | James Collins | Crawley Town | Undisclosed | [22] |
| 1 July 2017 | Alan McCormack | (Brentford) | Free | [20] |
| 1 July 2017 | Marek Štěch | (Sparta Prague) | Free | [16] |
| 3 July 2017 | James Shea | (AFC Wimbledon) | Free | [17] |
| 4 July 2017 | Elliot Lee | (Barnsley) | Free | [23] |
| 27 July 2017 | Harry Isted | (Stoke City) | Free | [18] |
| 8 August 2017 | Harry Cornick | AFC Bournemouth | Undisclosed | [35] |
| 25 August 2017 | Luke Berry | Cambridge United | Undisclosed | [43] |
| 31 August 2017 | Aaron Jarvis | Basingstoke Town | Undisclosed | [46] |
| 31 January 2018 | Jake Jervis | Plymouth Argyle | Undisclosed | [92] |
| 31 January 2018 | Lloyd Jones | Liverpool | Undisclosed | [92] |
| Date | Player | Club† | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2017 | Zane Banton | (St Albans City) | Released | [7][123] |
| 1 July 2017 | Liam Gooch | (Biggleswade Town) | Released | [7][124] |
| 1 July 2017 | Danny Green | (Chelmsford City) | Released | [7][125] |
| 1 July 2017 | Craig King | (Oxford City) | Released | [13][126] |
| 1 July 2017 | Craig Mackail-Smith | (Wycombe Wanderers) | Released | [7][127] |
| 1 July 2017 | Stephen O'Donnell | (Kilmarnock) | Released | [7][128] |
| 7 August 2017 | Jonathan Smith | (Stevenage) | Released | [34] |
| 14 August 2017 | Isaac Vassell | Birmingham City | Undisclosed | [40] |
| 31 August 2017 | Tyreeq Bakinson | Bristol City | Undisclosed | [45] |
| 26 January 2018 | Josh McQuoid | (Aldershot Town) | Released | [89][129] |
| Date | Player | Club | Return | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 June 2017 | Andrew Shinnie | Birmingham City | End of season | [21] |
| 31 January 2018 | Flynn Downes | Ipswich Town | End of season | [92] |
| Date | Player | Club | Return | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 August 2017 | Kavan Cotter | Hitchin Town | 11 September 2017 | [38][130] |
| 22 September 2017 | Kavan Cotter | Hitchin Town | Recalled 5 December 2017 | [51][62][70][74] |
| 22 September 2017 | Josh McQuoid | Torquay United | 19 December 2017 | [52][131] |
| 8 December 2017 | Kavan Cotter | Hitchin Town | 6 January 2018 | [75] |
| 22 December 2017 | Aaron Jarvis | Boreham Wood | One month | [78] |
| 22 December 2017 | Michael Shamalo | Barton Rovers | [78] | |
| 19 January 2018 | Harry Isted | Chesham United | One month | [86] |
| 19 January 2018 | Jack James | Hitchin Town | 25 March 2018 | [87][102] |
| 9 February 2018 | Frankie Musonda | Oxford City | End of season | [94][106] |
| 12 February 2018 | Kavan Cotter | Hitchin Town | One month | [96] |
| 16 March 2018 | Kavan Cotter | Oxford City | End of season | [106] |
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Trophy | Total | Discipline | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |  |  | ||||
| 1 | GK |  CZE | Marek Štěch | 38 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2 | DF |  ENG | James Justin | 10 (7) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 15 (7) | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | ENG | Dan Potts | 42 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 7 | 13 | 0 |
| 4 | MF |  IRL | Alan McCormack | 15 (1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 (1) | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | ENG | Johnny Mullins | 14 (3) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 (4) | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | DF |  SCO | Scott Cuthbert | 20 (3) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 (3) | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 7 | DF | ENG | Jack Stacey | 40 (1) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 44 (1) | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 8 | MF | ENG | Olly Lee | 38 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 42 (1) | 7 | 6 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | ENG | Danny Hylton | 37 (2) | 21 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 41 (2) | 23 | 13 | 1 |
| 10 | FW | ENG | Jordan Cook | 1 (9) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 6 (10) | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| 11 | MF | SCO | Andrew Shinnie * | 24 (4) | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 (1) | 2 | 29 (5) | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 14 | FW | ENG | Harry Cornick | 16 (21) | 5 | 0 (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 (23) | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | FW | ENG | Jake Jervis | 2 (8) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 (8) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | DF | IRL | Glen Rea | 39 (7) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 43 (7) | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 17 | MF | ENG | Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu | 17 (11) | 2 | 2 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 24 (12) | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 18 | MF | ENG | Luke Berry | 31 (3) | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 35 (4) | 8 | 5 | 0 |
| 19 | FW | IRL | James Collins | 39 (3) | 19 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 (3) | 20 | 7 | 1 |
| 20 | FW | ENG | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 20 | MF | ENG | Flynn Downes * | 7 (3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 (3) | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 21 | DF | ENG | Jack Senior | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 22 | MF |  MLT | Luke Gambin | 4 (9) | 1 | 0 (2) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 4 | 1 | 8 (12) | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 23 | FW |  NIR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (2) | 1 | 0 (2) | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 24 | MF | ENG | Lawson D'Ath | 3 (6) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 7 (6) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 27 | MF | ENG | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 27 | FW | ENG | Aaron Jarvis | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 (1) | 1 | 2 (2) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | DF | ENG | Lloyd Jones | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | MF | ENG | Kavan Cotter | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | MF | ENG | Arthur Read | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (2) | 0 | 0 (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 36 | GK | ENG | James Shea | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 37 | DF | ENG | Frankie Musonda | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 (1) | 0 | 3 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 38 | FW | ENG | Elliot Lee | 16 (16) | 10 | 1 (1) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 21 (17) | 12 | 2 | 0 |
| 39 | DF | ENG | Akin Famewo | 1 (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6 (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 40 | GK | ENG | Harry Isted | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 41 | MF | ENG | Jake Peck | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 42 | DF | ENG | Ciaren Jones | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 43 | DF | IRL | Jack James | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 44 | DF | IRL | Alan Sheehan | 42 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 3 | 13 | 1 |
| 45 | FW | ENG | Michael Shamalo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 46 | DF | ENG | Joe Mead | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 47 | FW | ENG | Connor Tomlinson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 48 | FW | ENG | Josh Neufville | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 49 | MF | ENG | Drew Richardson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
