Luton Town endured a 4-1 defeat at home to Burnley in the first match of the new Championship season.

Against a side also defeated from last season’s Premier League, the Hatters endured a difficult start after fell 2-0 down in the first half through goals by Josh Brownhill and Wilson Odobert.

Tahith Chong scored a goal back for Luton, but hopes of a comeback were extinguished when Dara O’Shea and Vitinho scored two goals in eight minutes to put Burnley out of Luton’s reach.

Luton handed new signings Reull Walters and Shandon Baptiste debuts while injuries issues saw Zack Nelson and Joe Johnson both make starts.

Burnley would however make a flying start at Kenilworth Road as the Clarets took the lead after six minutes. A through-pass down the left flank by Lucas Pires released Brownhill down the Burnley left, and he duly broke into the box before beating Thomas Kaminski.

Elijah Adebayo saw a strike blocked by James Trafford and a knock-down by Carlton Morris was intercepted by Burnley.

Luton had a few half-chances but couldn’t find a way through, and would instead fall 2-0 down with 8 minutes of the first half remaining.

The goal came through a similar routine to the Clarets’ first goal, as a pass by Conor Roberts down the right flank released Odobert, who duly threaded a shot through Kaminski’s legs.

Needing a comeback, Luton nearly found a way through when James Trafford fumbled a cross and Adebayo got the ball off the bar.

But Burnley could’ve extended their lead further, as O’Shea saw a header well saved by Kaminski and Vitinho struck the post.

However, Luton would grab a goal back within ten minutes of the restart as Alfie Doughty received the ball in the box and squared for Chong to reach ahead of Trafford and tap into the back of the net.

Luton struggled to create chances for an equaliser, however, and Burnley would grab a third with less than 20 minutes to go as O’Shea headed home from a Burnley corner.

Vitinho would strike an effort wide but the Brazilian would score as the game moved into the final ten minutes. Lyle Foster won the ball back for the visitors and the South African charged forward before feeding Vitinho, who fed a shot beyond Kaminski.

Despite six minutes of added time, Luton were unable to grab chances for a consolation, and the Hatters slipped to defeat on the first day of the campaign. Rob Edwards’ side will seek to pick themselves up when they play Portsmouth in their first away game of the campaign on Saturday.

Milton Keynes City Council have announced a scheme for new homes to accomodate young people at risk of homelessness.

The City Council announced a partnership with the Milton Keynes YMCA to accommodate 51 young people at risk of homelessness into new homes, with those who will benefit to be housed in one and two-bedroom properties that will be acquired with funding from Homes England.

Further support will be available through an accompanying grant of £500,000 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

MK City Council secured the funding as part of the Government’s Single Homelessness Accommodation scheme. People aged between 18-25 currently based at the YMCA’s campus in Central Milton Keynes will be given priority to move into these homes as part of wider work to reduce the risk of them returning to the streets.

Around 60% of young people housed by MKYMCA identify as having mental health needs, while 50% have a background of trauma. Residents at MKYMCA have access to a high level of support at the campus in the city centre, but there is a lack of affordable move-on accommodation available. The partnership between the city council and MKYMCA will give people the support they need and access to secure homes with affordable rents.

The city council is due to enter into a formal agreement with all partners involved in the project.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Ed Hume, said, “We know that access to affordable housing is a major issue, especially for young people. I’m proud that we have secured this funding and are working with MKYMCA to give these young people a more hopeful future after the challenges they have faced. A new home is more than just a roof over someone’s head, it’s a fresh opportunity to get settled, access work and build a better future.”

Northampton Town have signed defender Luke Mbete on a season-long loan from Manchester City.

Mbete, who turns 21 next month, is Northampton’s ninth signing ahead of the new campaign, and the Cobblers’ third loan arrival.

The defender has previously spent time on loan with Bolton and Huddersfield and with Dutch side Den Bosch.

Mbete has also made three appearances for the Manchester City senior team, including a start for his first appearance for the Premier League giants when the Citizens played Wycombe in an EFL Cup tie in 2021, while he also featured for them on their pre-season tour. 

The defender has also been capped by England at youth level up to and including the under-21s.

Northampton boss Jon Brady told the club’s official website that he was delighted to bring Mbete to Sixfields.

He said, “He is very highly rated by Manchester City and we thank them for trusting us to continue the development of one of their young players. I am sure our reputation for developing players has again counted in our favour.

“Luke has a decent amount of experience in the Championship, League One and also abroad, and he has been in and around the Manchester City first team, both on their bench in the Premier League and also playing regularly during pre-season.

“He is keen to develop and from our conversations we know he is very keen to come here and play his part.

“He fits our profile, he has a lot of attributes as a brave defender but also an intelligent footballer who is comfortable on the ball.

“We were looking for another left footed centre back and we are delighted to have recruited a player of Luke’s quality.”

Northampton were beaten 1-0 in their opening day game away at Bristol Rovers after conceding a late goal.

Rovers debutant Bryant Bilongo scored an injury time goal to give the home side the three points, as Northampton slipped up in the final moments.

Defeat therefore sees Northampton start the campaign with zero points against a side they finished one place above in the League One table last season.

Jon Brady fielded two of his new signings from the start, with Cameron McGeehan and Callum Morton making the starting line-up, with four more on the bench, although illness, suspension and injury ruled out some of his other selection options.

Northampton nearly took the lead in unconventional fashion, as Morton charged down Josh Griffiths’ attempted clearance and saw the ball ricochet in to the net.

A tight opening phase had seen a few half-chances appear but Bristol Rovers then began to up the ante, and they came close as Lee Burge first denied Grant Ward and then made a better stop to deny a firm hit by Promise Omochere.

Isaac Hutchinson saw an effort blocked by Jordan Willis just after the break, before Luke Thomas and Omochere both missed the target with efforts.

Morton and Sam Hoskins both narrowly missed the target with efforts for Northampton as the game moved into the final 20 minutes.

Burge denied Kamil Conteh but it looked as though the game was set to end up as a draw as it moved into seven minutes of stoppage time.

That was, however, until Northampton’s defence was breached in the second minute of stoppage time. From Thomas’ corner, Bilongo forced it over the line for a debut goal and a winning goal.

Hoskins missed the target with an effort right at the end of stoppage time, but there was no equaliser forthcoming for the Cobblers.

Northampton will seek a first win of the campaign on Tuesday when they host fellow League One side Wycombe in the play-offs, before a first home league match of the new season against Exeter City at Sixfields on Saturday.