The super sub is dead, long live Luton’s new goal king. Gideon Kodua is now firmly the Hatters’ main man.
The West Ham loanee was the shining light in a sublime first-half attacking blitz where he opened the scoring and, after Jordan Clark’s penalty, played a key role in the third that meant it was game over by the time the half time whistle blew. Leyton Orient didn’t know what hit them.
Luton fans are now starting to realise. In the space of a festive few days, Kodua has bagged three goals and in two consecutive games has set the Hatters on their way to back-to-back victories with early strikes.
Prior to Christmas, every one of the 21-year-old’s five goals had come as a substitute on the 83rd minute or later. But his 90th minute leveller at Orient just a few weeks ago, was his first goal as a starter and he’s not looked back. Now he’s suddenly spearheading a free-scoring side.
“That’s outstanding for him. For a young player,” said boss Jack Wilshere.
“I know this is his second loan. He probably didn’t play as much as he wanted last year and I feel like he’s really found a home here.
“He’s a top guy. The players love him. The staff love him. He wants to get better. He’s the guy who’s coming knocking on the coach’s door to go through clips and that’s what you get. You get improvement.
“Gives you a little bit more confidence and he always looks a threat.”
Now that danger is coming early. Like he did against Wycombe, Kodua made a fast start. This time it was a minute later, in the eighth, but he lit up Kenilworth Road with a screamer.
He’s already scored some impressive goals amongst his top scorer tally of eight, but this one might be one of the best. At very least, he’s running his very own goal of the season competition.
Mads Andersen’s pass drew out Omar Beckles, who misjudged the pace of it, allowing Kodua to turn. But with plenty of work to do, he barrelled towards goal before unleashing a rocket from 20 yards. Unstoppable. He’s a young man full of confidence.
In lieu of Luton’s strikers still not hitting the mark, Kodua is Town’s go-to guy. What’s more, is that the Hatters have now started to find some flow. The first half was a million miles away from the turgid tripe that Luton two served up in east London earlier in the month.
A second goal followed in the 19th minute after Nahki Wells was upended by Jack Simpson and referee Neil Hair pointed to the spot from where Clark slotted. That was the skipper’s third in three games as well, rubber-stamping his importance to this Town team.
Also getting in on the re-run act was Morris in the 37th minute. Kodua’s determination to dig out a cross was met with Nahki Wells’ glancing header which found the former Aberdeen flyer all alone at the back post for his second in two games.
That meant that the same scorers that dispatched Wycombe came to the party again, while the Hatters hadn’t scored three league goals in a first half at home since routing Brighton 4-0 in the top flight, in January 2024.
The only worry here was that they coughed up a few chances, none seemingly easier than for Dominic Ballard who skied over from five yards after Andersen had lost him.
The second half was predictably less thrilling and markedly more disjointed after the passing range of Liam Walsh was exchanged at half time for George Saville.
Not that Orient offered too much threat, but it became an exercise keeping a clean sheet. Against his former side, Josh Keeley collected his league leading tenth of the campaign, though he needed an offside flag raised to deny Ballard and Teden Mengi to help him with a goal-line clearance after an Orient corner slipped through his grasp. The stopper also produced an eye-catching flying save late on to deny Ollie O’Neil.
Boss Wilshere cryptically revealed afterwards that he’s offered his team a reward for shut-outs, while suggesting another ten will see Town close to the promotion picture.
There have been positive signs in that direction so far this Christmas. And though the second half never caught fire, it didn’t need to. Herein lies the beginnings of a blueprint for the New Year: A crowd-pleasing fast start to blow away rivals with a first-half blitz.
Adopt that Yuletide approach and the second half of the season might be one to savour, even if the second half of games become non-events, not least because of the impact of Kodua.
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