Luton Town began their preseason with a 5-0 thrashing of Hitchin Town on July 13, 2026, as Nahki Wells marked his return with a crucial header.

What happened in the friendly?

Jack Wilshere made 11 changes at half-time, and Wells—on just his second appearance since joining—didn’t waste a second. The striker powered a header past the Hitchin keeper in the 58th minute, capping a dominant first half that saw Luton already 3-0 up. Jordan Clark doubled his tally with a brace, while Kasey Palmer and Christian Chigozie added the other goals. The win extends Luton’s unbeaten streak in preseason to six games, with their next outing against Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands.

Why Wells’ goal matters for Luton Town

Wells’ strike wasn’t just a preseason flourish—it was a statement. The 31-year-old arrived at Kenilworth Road in January and has now scored twice at Wembley, including a brace in last season’s EFL Trophy final. With Luton sitting seventh in League One on 74 points from 46 games—29 adrift of Lincoln—every goal in pre-season sharpens their promotion push. Their recent form (WWWDW) suggests momentum, but Wells’ ability to deliver in big moments could be the difference as they chase a return to the Championship.

Who’s standing in Luton’s way?

The bookmakers have Luton as third-favourites for promotion behind Leicester City—who’ve tumbled from Premier League champions to League One in a decade—and resurgent Sheffield Wednesday. Wednesday’s financial cloud lifted under new owners, while Leicester’s firepower (68 goals scored last season) makes them a genuine threat. Luton’s first competitive test comes on August 8 in the EFL Cup against Gillingham, with their league curtain-raiser at Reading on August 15.

What’s next for Luton Town?

Wilshere’s side has just under a month to fine-tune ahead of their opener, with friendlies against Go Ahead Eagles and others still on the slate. The Dutch outfit finished 12th in their top-flight last season, offering a sterner test than Hitchin. For Wells, the goal against Hitchin is a reminder of his knack for stepping up when it counts—exactly what Luton need as they chase a top-two finish. League standing: 7th in League One, 74 pts, 21W-11D-14L from 46 games, recent form WWWDW.