Nordas at the double as Luton thrash Exeter in Vertu Trophy

Luton Town enjoyed pretty much the perfect night in the Vertu Trophy second round this evening as they thrashed Exeter City 4-0 at Kenilworth Road to sail into the third round.

With boss Jack Wilshere making 11 changes to his side from the 1-1 draw against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, he saw recalled striker Lasse Nordas score twice, fit-again duo Joe Johnson and Reuell Walters get 70 minutes of football each, the Hatters also keeping a clean sheet and awarding senior debuts to academy graduates Zach Ioannides and Jack Lorentzen-Jones in the second period.

Having opted for a completely altered XI, Town took the opportunity to get some football into Mads Andersen, Christ Makosso and Marvelous Nakamba, while the three players who set up Luton leveller at the weekend were all rewarded for their efforts, Gideon Kodua, who found the net, Shayden Morris and Milli All, against his former club, all earning starts.

An enterprising start from both sides saw Andersen make an important block when Jack Aitchison was teed up just outside the box, before Luton almost took the lead on seven minutes when Morris nipped to dispossess Johnly Yfeko who slid in rashly to send the ball arrowing towards his own goal where visiting keeper Jack Bycroft did superby to prevent it going in with a great reaction save.

He had an easier stop when Kodua took aim from 25 yards, Nordas frustrated he hadn't looked to his left for the return pass, but the hosts were in front on 13 minutes when Alli did brilliantly on the wing to speed past Tom Dean and stand up a cross that Nordas was able to get some good hang time on and a downward header to match, netting his third goal of the season.

The Norwegian went close to a second midway through the half when he was sent clear after some terrific work by the impressive Walters, as with the angle against him, fired goalwards, Bycroft turning away via the crossbar. Luton did double their advantage on 32 minutes though when they pressed well to win the ball back, Nordas picking the ball up and finding Morris to his right who drove low under the dive of Bycroft.

Town then were a threat from Johnson’s set-pieces, as the full back’s first free kick was hammered over the bar by Makosso at the back post, but from the second, Nordas caused a nuisance of himself with an ungainly volley, although as the ball dropped, he clinically smashed into the net past a statuesque Bycroft.

Against a visiting side who kept four players from their weekend defeat to Bradford City, and had the experienced Josh Magennins upfront, Luton kept on pressing, Kodua having an ambitious crack from 30 yards which was easy for Bycroft, who was extended by Alli’s blast in stoppage time, batting behind for a corner.

After the break, Aitchison went close to pulling one back, not missing the far post by much, as the majority of the 2,200 supporters inside the stadium wanted to see if Nordas could get a first hat-trick in Luton colours, although Alli’s battle with Ed Turns was also very watchable, the winger seeing another effort kicked away by Bycroft.

Town withdrew Morris on the hour mark for Joe Gbode, as it was almost Norda s’s moment on 62 minutes, winning the ball back on the half-way line and setting off towards goal, but Aston Villa youngster Sil Swinkels, who had just come on, was able to motor back and make an excellently-judged sliding tackle, much to the disappointment of those in the main stand.

There was a fourth goal on 67 minutes though after a calamity from goalkeeper Bycroft who opted to pass the ball straight to Zack Nelson, the young midfielder able to take a good first touch, round an opponent and then plant his sidefooted finish confidently into the net. Wilshere opted to give academy graduate Zach Ioannides his senior debut with 20 left in place of Walters, as Johnson also made way, Harry Fox getting his second outing, having made his first appearance in the previous game against Brighton.

The defender made an important block to prevent Magennis from pulling back a consolation as there was still time for another debut, Jack Lorentzen-Jones having his first run-out for the final 10 minutes or so.

The final stages were placed at walking pace really, with Exeter accepting their fate, and Nordas never really threatening his treble, although there was time for Alli to test Bycroft once more in stoppage, as the keeper came out on top against the winger once more. With Town having racked up 11 goals in their three home games in the competition, they will be keeping their fingers crossed for another tie at Kenilworth Road when the third round draw is made later this week.

Hatters: James Shea ©, Reuell Walters (Zach Ioannides 71), Christ Makosso, Mads Andersen, Joe Johnson (Harry Fox 71), Marvelous Nakamba, Zack Nelson, Gideon Kodua (Jack Lorentzen-Jones 80), Shayden Morris (Joe Gbode 60), Milli Alli, Lasse Nordas. Subs not used: Charlie Booth, Vladimir Paternoster, Fin Evans.

Grecians: Jack Bycroft, Ed Turns (Kevin McDonald 79), Jack Fitzwater (Jack McMillan 60), Ed Francis, Jack Aitchison (Akeel Higgins 60), Ilmari Niskanen (Jayden Wareham 79) Johnly Yfeko (Sil Swinkels 60), Luca Woodhouse, Josh Magennis ©, Tom Dean, Liam Oakes. Subs not used: Joe Whitworth, Ethan Brierley. Referee: Kirsty Dowie. Booked: Fitzwater 40, Dean 52, Niskanen 71, Francis 72, Lorentzen-Jones 90. Attendance: 2,233 (136 Grecians).