Townsend starts for Luton U21s in Hammers defeat as two trialists also feature

Attacker Andros Townsend started along with two trialists as the Luton’s U21s lost out 2-0 to West Ham United U21s in a friendly held at Kenilworth Road yesterday afternoon.

The 32-year-old, who has been restricted to just one start in the Hatters’ last nine Premier League fixtures, was involved in a youthful XI that included Zack Nelson, who recently made his top flight debut in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, plus Axel Piesold, a regular on the bench in Town’s recent first team matches, while January signing Taylan Harris got the nod, plus centre half Aidan Francis-Clarke.

The visitors had former England U20 international Joseph Anang in goal, plus George Earthy, who earned a first senior appearance in the Europa League recently, as although he missed a first half penalty, made amends by breaking the deadlock on 65 minutes when Sean Moore, Tyron Akpata, and Kamarai Swyer all combined well.

Josh Ajala added a second late on, as Hammers assistant coach Gerard Prenderville told the club’s official website: “It’s brilliant to play the game at Kenilworth Road as an experience for the younger lads too. As staff, we want to enhance the games programme. This season, we have put a few more friendlies than usual when we don’t have games. Today was another good workout for the boys against a good Luton side.”

Hatters U21s: Oliver Camis, Jacob Pinnington, Benedict Benagr, Trialist, Aidan Francis-Clarke, Trialist, Zack Nelson, Axel Piesold, Oli Lynch, Andros Townsend, Taylan Harris. Subs: Marcus Warren, Archie Heron, Max Scott, Millar Matthews-Lewis, Jack Lorentzen-Jones, Dominic Dos Santos Martins.