Luton Town defender Teden Mengi has publicly apologised for his performance in the Hatters’ 4-3 FA Cup first-round win over Forest Green Rovers, admitting he fell short of his own standards during a chaotic afternoon at Kenilworth Road.
The 23-year-old centre-back, who recently returned from an ankle injury, made his seventh start of the season in what should have been a routine win for Jack Wilshere’s side, but instead became a test of nerve and resilience.
Mengi Owns Up After Costly Errors
Luton appeared to be cruising after first-half goals from Lamine Fanne and Nahki Wells gave them a 2-0 lead at the break. Wells then added his second early in the second half, seemingly wrapping up the tie at 3-0.
However, what followed was an unexpected collapse that left both the home crowd and their manager shell-shocked.
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Forest Green rallied through substitute Tom Knowles, whose speculative strike took a heavy deflection off Mengi’s head to wrongfoot goalkeeper Josh Keeley and find the net. Moments later, the defender was at the centre of further controversy when Harry Whitwell broke through and went to ground under minimal contact from Mengi, leading to a penalty converted by Kyle McAllister.
With the Hatters suddenly under pressure, Aidan Dausch made it 3-3 on 69 minutes, finishing from close range after another defensive mix-up. It took a late goal from substitute Gideon Kodua deep into stoppage time to finally seal progression for Luton, though even that came with relief more than celebration.
Taking to social media after the game, Mengi issued an honest apology to supporters and his teammates.
“Next round. We stuck together and got the job done,” he wrote. “On a personal note, I hold myself to high standards. That said, I’d like to apologise — I know I need to be better for the team and the fans. Enjoy your weekend, Hatters.”
Wilshere’s Side ‘Made to Suffer’ Despite Progression
Manager Jack Wilshere had opted to name a strong starting XI despite facing National League opposition, pairing Mengi with club captain Kal Naismith at centre-back and flanking them with Nigel Lonwijk and Cohen Bramall. It was a defensive unit that had impressed in a recent clean sheet against Northampton, but one that looked far less assured this time.
Wilshere later admitted his side had been “made to suffer” after losing control of the match, while full-back Lonwijk also took to Instagram to acknowledge the team’s struggles.
“Made it harder than it needed to be, but happy to get the job done,” he posted. “On to the next round.”
Luton’s lapse will concern Wilshere as much as it will frustrate supporters. The manager has spoken regularly about the importance of concentration and game management, two qualities that were sorely missing in the second half.
Despite the victory, the Hatters’ inability to protect a comfortable lead against lower-league opposition is likely to spark renewed debate about their defensive depth and consistency.
Mengi’s response, however, has been widely praised by fans online for its honesty and maturity. Having come through a difficult spell with injuries and competition for places, the former Manchester United defender remains determined to re-establish himself as a key figure in Wilshere’s backline.
The Hatters will discover their FA Cup second-round opponents in Monday’s draw, but the immediate focus returns to the league — and to restoring the solidity that briefly deserted them in an otherwise encouraging campaign.
