Luton made a winning start to their Championship season with a 1-0 win at Barnsley on Saturday. James Collins' late goal proved to be enough to keep the Hatters to return with all three points, rifling into the top corner with 18 minutes to go. To find out how the visitors rated on the afternoon, see below.
![Town's players celebrate James Collins' winner at Barnsley on Saturday](https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/webimg/T0FLMTI1NTk1Mjky.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
![After the pressure he came under when Barnsley visited Kenilworth Road a few weeks back, couldn’t have imagined an easier afternoon at Oakwell, with just the one shot on target. Distribution was good as well.](https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/webimg/T0FLMTI1NTk1Mjkz.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
. Simon Sluga: 7
After the pressure he came under when Barnsley visited Kenilworth Road a few weeks back, couldn’t have imagined an easier afternoon at Oakwell, with just the one shot on target. Distribution was good as well.
![Kept his place at right back despite Bree’s availability and gave another dependable display as Town shut out their hosts. A Zidane-esque turn inside his own half was one of the highlights of the whole encounter.](https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/webimg/T0FLMTI1NTk1Mjk0.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
. Martin Cranie: 8
Kept his place at right back despite Bree’s availability and gave another dependable display as Town shut out their hosts. A Zidane-esque turn inside his own half was one of the highlights of the whole encounter.
![Didn’t get a great deal of chances to overlap on the left hand side on this occasion in what was a tight game. Occasionally caught out of position, particularly when the Tykes should have levelled at the back post.](https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/webimg/T0FLMTI1NTk1Mjk1.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
. Rhys Norrington-Davies: 7.5
Didn’t get a great deal of chances to overlap on the left hand side on this occasion in what was a tight game. Occasionally caught out of position, particularly when the Tykes should have levelled at the back post.
![One of a number up against his former club as he came into his own when the game opened up in the latter stages, making sure that Barnsley couldn’t get any openings. Marshalled Chaplin excellently all afternoon.](https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/webimg/T0FLMTI1NTk1Mjk2.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
. Matty Pearson: 8
One of a number up against his former club as he came into his own when the game opened up in the latter stages, making sure that Barnsley couldn’t get any openings. Marshalled Chaplin excellently all afternoon.
![Vocal, dominant and committed throughout, the skipper gave a fine display at the heart of Town’s defence, effectively clearing his lines and geeing up his team-mates when needed. Won his battle with Woodrow too.](https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/webimg/T0FLMTI1NTk1Mjk3.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
. Sonny Bradley (STAR MAN): 8.5
Vocal, dominant and committed throughout, the skipper gave a fine display at the heart of Town’s defence, effectively clearing his lines and geeing up his team-mates when needed. Won his battle with Woodrow too.
![After the pressure he came under when Barnsley visited Kenilworth Road a few weeks back, couldn’t have imagined an easier afternoon at Oakwell, with just the one shot on target. Distribution was good as well.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/T0FLMTI1NTk1Mjkz.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
1. Simon Sluga: 7
After the pressure he came under when Barnsley visited Kenilworth Road a few weeks back, couldn’t have imagined an easier afternoon at Oakwell, with just the one shot on target. Distribution was good as well.
![Kept his place at right back despite Bree’s availability and gave another dependable display as Town shut out their hosts. A Zidane-esque turn inside his own half was one of the highlights of the whole encounter.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/T0FLMTI1NTk1Mjk0.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
2. Martin Cranie: 8
Kept his place at right back despite Bree’s availability and gave another dependable display as Town shut out their hosts. A Zidane-esque turn inside his own half was one of the highlights of the whole encounter.
![Didn’t get a great deal of chances to overlap on the left hand side on this occasion in what was a tight game. Occasionally caught out of position, particularly when the Tykes should have levelled at the back post.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/T0FLMTI1NTk1Mjk1.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
3. Rhys Norrington-Davies: 7.5
Didn’t get a great deal of chances to overlap on the left hand side on this occasion in what was a tight game. Occasionally caught out of position, particularly when the Tykes should have levelled at the back post.
![One of a number up against his former club as he came into his own when the game opened up in the latter stages, making sure that Barnsley couldn’t get any openings. Marshalled Chaplin excellently all afternoon.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/T0FLMTI1NTk1Mjk2.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
4. Matty Pearson: 8
One of a number up against his former club as he came into his own when the game opened up in the latter stages, making sure that Barnsley couldn’t get any openings. Marshalled Chaplin excellently all afternoon.