Colchester United will host Luton Town in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy at the JobServe Community Stadium on Saturday 3rd October, after the fixture was brought forward from Tuesday 6th October.
The change gives the Group D meeting an earlier slot in the schedule and comes at a time when Luton Town are juggling a crowded international period. Seven players are away on international duty, and the club also has two League One fixtures postponed because of those call-ups.
Why the date change matters
The switch is more than just a calendar adjustment. Colchester’s League Two fixture against Port Vale was postponed because of international call-ups, which opened the door for the cup tie to be moved forward. Rather than waiting until the following Tuesday, the teams will now meet at 3pm on Saturday.
For Luton, the timing adds another layer to the defence of a competition they lifted last season. Jack Wilshere’s side began their Jersey Mike’s Trophy campaign with a 6-0 win over Ipswich Town’s Under-21s at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday 22nd September, and they now continue the group stage on the road against Colchester.
Recent history between the teams
These clubs are no strangers to each other. Luton beat Colchester 1-0 in a Football League Trophy quarter-final at Kenilworth Road in 2008 and went on to lift the trophy. The sides also met in League Two in August 2017, when Luton won 3-0 at Kenilworth Road.
Colchester do have a more recent home success in the fixture. On 30 March 2018, they beat Luton 2-1 in League Two. That gives Saturday’s meeting a familiar edge, even though both clubs now arrive with different priorities and squad availability.
Colchester opened their Group D campaign with a 3-1 defeat away at Peterborough United on Tuesday 22nd September, so they will be looking to make home advantage count. Luton, meanwhile, enter as the holders and with momentum from their opening win. With the fixture now moved to Saturday afternoon, both sides get a quicker chance to shape the group.
