FA YOUTH CUP: Hinds sends Luton U18s into round three

A solitary first-half goal from striker Freddie Hinds was enough for Luton U18s to reach the FA Youth Cup third round with a 1-0 win at fellow League Two side Leyton Orient last night.

The young forward was found by Kavan Cotter just after the half-hour mark and produced cool finish to net his 11th goal of the season and extend Hatters’ remarkable unbeaten record this season to 18 games.

Orient pushed the Town all the way in search of an equaliser but the Hatters defence held firm to record an 11th clean sheet of the campaign and set up a third round meeting with either Notts County or Rochdale.

The visitors could have won by more, but Jack Snelus sent a good chance wide of the target midway through the second period.

Although Orient threatened a leveller in the closing stages, it never materialised as Luton held on.

U18s boss Paul Driver told the club’s official website: “It was a game limited on chances – the kind of match you think ‘one goal will win this’ and thankfully Freddie’s scored it for us.

“Both sides cancelled each other out, we knew it would be tough, but while they came on strong at the end, Liam Gooch hasn’t had a real save to make.

“Defensively we were excellent and Frankie (Musonda) and Akin (Famewo) at centre-half were immense – they headed everything all night.

“It was a typical away cup win, and I’m very pleased. It’s the sort of result and performance you want to see from your players – they dug in and showed real resolve.

“There’s no way you can recreate this kind of experience: away from home in an FA Youth Cup tie at the opponent’s main ground under floodlights. To come away with a win and another clean sheet is testament to the boys’ hard work.”

Town: Gooch, Justin, McJannet (Bean 85), Famewo, Musonda, Snelus, Atkinson, McGhan-George, Cotter, Hinds (Bakinson 85), Murray (Verney 75).

Subs not used: Jones, Read.

Attendance: 337.