With three goals in each half, the young Hatters impressed on a sunny day at Top Field and made their opponents pay with a ruthless performance.

Speaking pitchside after the match, Forbes said: “Every time we play there is always things we can improve on 100 per cent, but I think the boys’ attitude, work-rate and application was superb.

“It is always difficult when you play against an academy team, especially one that has been newly formed. They’re going to have players there that want to prove a point, so it was important we were focused on making sure we did the basics really well and I think the score-line reflected that we managed to achieve that.”

Zack Nelson scored the pick of the goals at Top Field and after his recent inclusion in the first team squad for the Carabao Cup defeat against Newport County, the Lead Coach had this to say about him: “You look at how he has trained and how he’s played in recent weeks which led to him being in and around the first team, but he has continued to work hard since then.

“You look at that goal, I was actually getting ready to have a go at him because I thought he could have found a pass, but he certainly shut me up by putting it in the top corner!

“Credit to not just Zack but all the boys who stepped up today. I’m really, really pleased with their performance, not just what they did on the ball but out of possession as well to stop Fox Academy playing.”

The game-changers made a big impact in the second, with Daniel Idiakhoa and Tyrelle Newton both on the scoresheet, whilst Oli Lynch provided an assist.

“It’s difficult sometimes for those boys who are the game-changers because they want to be starting games. Obviously not everyone can start but you want them to come on and have an impact, and you look at Dan and Lynchy coming on, they’ve certainly done that.

“Yes, they got themselves a goal but it was making sure they applied themselves in the right way knowing exactly what they should be doing on set-pieces so the opposition don’t have the opportunity to take advantage of those changes.

“Credit to them, but that is what we are as a group. They are a great bunch of lads to work with on a daily basis and I’m all about attitude, application and work ethic and for me I think they did that today.”