ON-THE-WHISTLE MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town 2-3 Luton (EFL Trophy)

Norris fired Swindon into an early lead but two goals from Josh McQuoid and one from Isaac Vassell sent Luton Town through to round three of the rebranded competition. 

 

As early as the sixth minute Swindon were in the lead when Johnny Goddard’s intelligent cross-field through ball picked out Norris who curled in a beauty of an effort past Luton goalkeeper Craig from the left-hand side of the box.

 

Only two minutes passed before Luton were level though.

 

On the eight-minute mark McQuoid got the first of his two goals when he seized on an awful Will Henry error to tap in from point-blank range for 1-1.

 

Henry, who has recently returned from an young English goalkeeper development programme at St.George’s Park, parried an effort from Vassell straight into the path of McQuoid who could not miss. 

 

McQuoid doubled his and Luton’s goal tally in the 20th minute with a powerful effort inside of the box that, this time, Henry in the Swindon goal could do nothing about as he was left clutching nothing but thin air as Luton wheeled away in celebration.

 

One of three half-time substitutes, Ellis Iandolo, levelled the scores two minutes after the hour mark with a stunning 30-yard effort, but soon after Town were behind again.

 

A hopeful long ball forward should have been cut out by Darnell Furlong, however the defender on-loan from Queens Park Rangers failed to intercept with a diving header.

 

Vassell, who often caused Town trouble but struggled to find his range, did finally get the goal his play deserved in the 69th minute with a composed finish into the bottom corner past Henry.

 

The result leaves Swindon now competing in just one, the league, in which they will play Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday.