Albion exit Vertu Trophy after Luton loss

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Noel Atom scores in 3-1 defeat at Kenilworth Road.

Luke Nicoli

2025-10-28T21:00+00:00

Noel Atom celebrates his well-taken goal. 📸 By Paul Hazlewood.

Albion’s MU21s bowed out of the Vertu Trophy following a 3-1 defeat at Luton Town on Tuesday.

The Seagulls faced an uphill struggle having fallen 2-0 behind at the break and while Noel Atom netted in the second half, the hosts were worthy winners on the night.

League One Luton were the stronger of the two sides throughout the opening half and set the tone as early as the ninth minute when Mads Andersen headed a Liam Walsh free-kick against the post.

The Hatters also tested the Albion rearguard when Joe Gbode cut in from the left only to see his effort deflected wide for a corner.

Zane Albarus leading the charge. 📸 By Paul Hazlewood.

With the hosts continuing to press, the deadlock was broken in the 37th minute when a deep cross into the box fell to Gideon Kodua and his shot was helped over the line by Jerry Yates.

Luton then doubled their lead three minutes before half-time when Tyler Silsby was harshly penalised for handball, with Yates making no mistake from the penalty spot.

Sean Keogh takes on his man. 📸 By Paul Hazlewood.

Albion's best chance of the half came soon after when Shane Nti broke down the left, with the onrushing Silsby narrowly failing to connect with a header.

In recent weeks, the Seagulls have produced stronger second-half performances and they again started on the front foot with Ben Barclay heading wide from a Silsby corner.

The Hatters, however, had a golden chance to extend their lead with Lasse Nordas finding himself one-on-one with Steven Hall but the keeper spread himself well to save.

Tyler Silsby battling for possession. 📸 By Paul Hazlewood.

Albion got a foothold back in the game in the 74th minute when Silsby teed up Atom from a short corner and the defender's low sweeping effort nestled into the back of James Shea's net.

Luton then sealed the victory five minutes later when a deep free-kick into the box fell to 16-year-old debutant Fin Evans, who lashed home from close range to become the club's youngest ever scorer.

Shannon Ruth's side play their final game in the competition next Wednesday against Cambridge United, but their more immediate focus is on fourth consecutive away trip to face Leeds United in Premier League 2 on Sunday.

Albion: Hall, Mackley, Barclay, Atom, Keogh (sub: Kasvosve 84), Silsby. Owusu (Ibrahim 84), Albarus, Nti, Hayden (Brett 74), West (Belmont 60). Subs not used: Dike, Ferdinand, Middleton.