The Hatters Under-18s came out on top in a 10-goal thriller at The Brache on Tuesday morning beating Ipswich 6-4 in the Professional Development League Cup.
Joe Deeney’s side started well and were two goals ahead inside four minutes. Matthew Takawira headed home Isaiah Harvey’s cross for the opener before Charlie Emery’s volley from the edge of the box made it two.
Ipswich then scored twice in a four-minute spell to level the score but by the 27th minute the Town were back in front when quick thinking by Dylan Stitt, pictured, saw his free-kick find Takawira and he set-up Charlie Trustram to finish clinically into the bottom corner.
It was then 4-2 to the young Hatters moments before the break when, from another high press, Stitt squared for Trustram. His shot was saved by the Ipswich keeper but Samuel Hincappie-Alfonso was on hand to finish, knocking home the rebound.
Three minutes after the break Ipswich pulled another back but the Town restored their two-goal advantage shortly after the hour when Trustram converted from the penalty spot having been fouled in the area.
Once more back came Ipswich, making it 5-4 with 25 minutes to play but the Hatters wasted no time in adding a sixth when Benedict Benagr overlapped on the left before squaring for Stitt whose excellent first touch found the back of the net to complete the scoring.
A breathless Deeney told lutontown.co.uk: “It was a great game for the neutral. I thought our high pressing game was outstanding on the day leading to a lot of chances to increase our lead.
“Ipswich are a very good side and I’m delighted with my players that they got the win. There is loads of room for improvement but our attitude and work rate yielded a positive result. It is imperative we take those elements of the game into Saturday.”
The under-18s aim to continue their goalscoring form when they welcome Exeter City to The Brache on Saturday in the Youth Alliance.
Town: Hockey (sub Thomas 83), Harvey (sub Roberts-Edema 78), Benagr, Fox, Emery, Chigozie, Ioannides (sub Trialist 88), Stitt, Hincappie-Alfonso (sub Sampson 83), Trustram, Takawira (sub Shepherd 30).
