Wilshere’s Luton Dominate Forest Green to Advance in FA Cup
The magic of the FA Cup kicked off in style as Luton Town secured a confident 2–0 victory over Forest Green Rovers at Kenilworth Road. Under the guidance of Jack Wilshere, who’s just four games into his managerial career, Luton showed composure, professionalism, and a touch of class against Robbie Savage’s non-league side.
It didn’t take long for the Hatters to find their rhythm. After a lively opening spell where both teams tested each other cautiously, Lamine Fanne opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. It was a beautifully worked goal — Nakhi Wells darted down the right wing, pulled the ball back with precision, and Fanne swept it into the top corner. Just moments earlier, Fanne had missed from a similar spot, but this time he made no mistake. The crowd could sense the momentum shift immediately after that strike.
Forest Green, who sit 43 places below Luton in the English football pyramid, were by no means overawed. For the first 20 minutes, they defended bravely and even managed to push forward a few times through Jili Buyabu, who nearly converted a cross early on. But once Luton found their flow, the gulf in quality began to show.
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By the 30th minute, Nakhi Wells, the experienced striker known for his poacher’s instinct, doubled the lead. It was a classic striker’s goal — a simple tap-in following a goalkeeper error from Forest Green’s Fiachra Pagel. That second goal took the pressure off Luton completely and allowed them to control the tempo of the match.
Despite the rainy conditions and a slippery surface, Wilshere’s side kept their composure. The possession stats told the story: Luton dominated the ball with over 60% possession, registered six shots to Forest Green’s one, and rarely looked troubled at the back. The backline, led by captain Kal Naismith, was solid, while midfielders George Saville and Liam Walsh dictated the pace of play.
For Robbie Savage, it was a tough but valuable lesson in his first FA Cup tie as a manager. His side worked tirelessly but couldn’t find a breakthrough. Forest Green’s record against Football League teams in the FA Cup continued to haunt them — having been eliminated in 13 of their last 14 such ties.
For Luton, this win not only puts them into the next round but also marks an encouraging start to Wilshere’s tenure. The young manager, a two-time FA Cup winner as a player, looked calm and focused on the touchline — a sign that his team is buying into his vision.
So, as the whistle blew at Kenilworth Road, it was mission accomplished for Luton Town — a professional job done, and another chapter added to the early story of Jack Wilshere’s managerial journey.
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