Club News

Checkatrade Trophy adventure over after defeat at Luton

Senior quartet feature in loss to Hatters


  • Albion's Checkatrade Trophy adventure comes to an end
  • Senior quartet Myhill, Olsson, McManaman and Gardner play…
  • McManaman has penalty saved by Luton ‘keeper Craig King
  • Alex Gillead put Luton ahead after an hour at Kenilworth Road
  • Jake Gray doubled the hosts’ lead on 62 minutes

ALBION’s Checkatrade Trophy adventure will come to an end at the conclusion of the group stages after they suffered a 2-0 defeat at Luton Town.

Senior quartet Boaz Myhill, Jonas Olsson, Craig Gardner and Callum McManaman all played 90 minutes at Kenilworth Road where second half goals from Alex Gilliead and Jake Gray secured three Group H South points for the League Two side.

Millwall’s 2-1 victory over Gillingham ended the Baggies chances of finishing in the top two of the group.

There were numerous chances for both teams within the opening 20 minutes with Josh McQuoid firing a free-kick wide of the target from 20 yards for Luton, while at the other end, Gardner couldn’t connect cleanly with a half-volley from 
inside the penalty area and saw his effort miss the near post.

The Baggies kept up their early pressure and were awarded a penalty after 16 minutes when Rekeem Harper was tripped in the box by defender Frankie Musonda.

McManaman stepped up but the winger’s spot-kick was pushed away for a corner by Hatters ‘keeper Craig King.

Gilliead stung the fingertips of Myhill shortly after the half-hour mark with a fierce strike from 25 yards, before the same man saw his curling effort fly over the crossbar just minutes later as Luton went in search of the game’s first goal.

The hosts, who sit fourth in League Two, picked up the tempo after the restart and should have taken the lead when Zane Banton found himself free in front of goal, however the young forward struck the post from 10 yards.

But it wasn’t long before their pressure told. Banton was handed time and space in the middle of the park and he slipped through Gillead, who confidently dispatched the ball into the bottom corner after an hour.

Luton doubled their lead just two minutes later when Gray swept home Gillead’s low, driven corner from the right.

The Hatters had further chances to make the scoreline even more resounding but Gilliead, Gray and Bakinson all failed to hit the target.

The Baggies pushed to try and find a way back into the game but they were unable to break the home side down.


ALBION: Myhill; Fitzwater (c), Olsson, Donnellan, McCourt (T.Morrison 75); Sweeney, Gardner, Harper; Tulloch, McManaman, Smith (Walker 67).

Unused subs: Palmer, Pritchatt, Barbir, Dool, Bradley.


Luton: King; O’Donnell, Musonda, Famewo Senior; Bakinson, Gray, Smith (c), Gilliead (Snelus 90); Banton (Hinds 86), McQuoid (Vassell 73).

Unused subs: Gooch, Atkinson, Read, Cotter.

Goals: Gilliead 60, Gray 62.