Hatters reserves hammer Oxford

Totesport.com Football Combination

Luton Town Reserves 5 (4) Oxford United Reserves 2 (0)

DOUBLES from Aaron O’Connor and Dan Walker saw Luton Town thrash Oxford United 5-2 in an entertaining reserve clash at Kenilworth Road yesterday afternoon, writes Mike Simmonds.

At one stage, Town had scored five goals in 10 minutes either side of half-time as they looked odds on to reach double figures.

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But in searing heat, they understandably took their foot off the gas in the second period, while Oxford, determined to restore some pride, came back into the contest, scoring twice late on.

Town named a strong side for the clash with the likes of Adam Watkins, Andre Boucaud and John Paul Kissock in midfield, while Dean Beckwith and Walker continued their recoveries from injury.

Youngsters Nick Burtenshaw and Jerome Jibodu were rewarded for their good performances for the U18s, but the visitors almost took the lead on five minutes when David Lynn crossed and Jibodu’s miskicked clearance dribbled inches past the past.

Jerome Udumaga had the first real effort, blasting a 20-yard free-kick that Lewis Kidd fisted to safety.

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Town almost opened the scoring on 14 minutes when Charlie Henry threaded O’Connor through, and his deft flick beat the weak attempt of keeper Max Crocombe but rebounded off the post.

On 20 minutes, Town had another glorious chance when the infectiously enthusiastic Kissock reached the by-line and delivered a fine cross, but from a few yards out, Boucaud couldn’t make a proper connection.

Walker had shouts for a penalty when he tumbled in the area after an inventive dink by Boucaud, but referee Mr Busby gave nothing.

Kissock drilled a free-kick high and wide, but Walker did earn a spot-kick on 29 minutes when he was bundled over by Lynn and O’Connor stepped up to nonchalantly find the corner of the net.

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An ingenious Kissock backheel saw O’Connor’s drive palmed behind by Crocombe but he could do nothing to prevent Beckwith doubling the lead with a volley from Henry’s corner.

The third arrived moments later when Walker’s harrying saw the ball deflected to O’Connor, who teed up his strike parter to dribble round two players and drive under the body of Crocombe.

Hatters started to run riot as O’Connor’s opportunistic swivel and half-volley looped over a statuesque Crocombe into the net for Town’s fourth goal in nine minutes.

The scoring showed no signs of slowing after the break as Walker tucked away his second after just 30 seconds, before the striker had a snapshot well handled by Crocombe.

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Oxford pulled one back on 55 minutes when Tyrone Marsh broke into the box and beat Kidd at his near post.

The U’s forward almost grabbed a second when Burtenshaw and Jibodu failed to deal with a long ball and Callum O’Dowda’s cross was volleyed by Marsh, but Kidd blocked with his legs.

Kissock should have made it six after a good ball by O’Connor but lofted over the open goal, while the second arrived on 70 minutes when Nathaniel Redwood turned the ball over the line from Udumaga’s driven cross.

The goalscorer came mightily close to making it 5-3 when his free-kick fizzed past the post, while Udumaga also tested Kidd from range.

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Town substitute Alasan Ann had a sighter on 79 minutes, but skied his drive, while O’Connor almost completed his hat-trick, only to see his instinctive volley from Henry’s corner straight at Crocombe.

Hatters: Lewis Kidd, Nick Burtenshaw, Jerome Jibodu (Brett Longden 81), Andre Boucaud, Dean Beckwith (Zak Stephens 46), Shane Blackett (C), Charlie Henry, Adam Watkins, Dan Walker, Aaron O’Connor, John Paul Kissock (Alasan Ann 61). Substitutes not used: Jerry Nash.

U’s: Max Crocombe, Ebby Nelson-Addy, David Lynn, George Morris, Lewis Alderman, Marvin Ekpiteta, Unpha Koroma (Ollie Smith 65), Jermaine Udumaga, Tyrone Marsh, Nathaniel Redwood (Chris Allen 80), Naithan Hilaire (Callum O’Dowda 37).

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