Teenage midfielder Zack Nelson has been challenged to make an impact this season, after scoring twice in Luton Town’s 3-2 pre-season defeat to Turkish side Göztepe.
The homegrown academy product made his first-team debut in the Premier League last term, in the 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace in March, making one further appearance in the 5-1 defeat to champions Manchester City.
In the friendly as part of Town’s summer preparation camp in Slovenia, Nelson bagged a second half brace and almost made it hat-trick.
But it wasn’t enough to reduce a share of the spoils after two goals conceded in four first half minutes against a Hatters side that had Tom Holmes as the only available centre half.
A third was added after the break and the woodwork spared a fourth, but nine minutes after his introduction, Nelson pulled one back and then doubled up with a minute left.
A third in injury time was saved, but afterwards, boss Rob Edwards said: “He can make an impact and he’ll be the first to say he probably should’ve had a hat-trick as well with a real clear opportunity at the end.
“But (he made) a big impact. He’s a talented player and I really hope that he can make an impact this year.
“We’re challenging him to do that. I think he’s an exciting one for the future.”
But Edwards was less pleased with Luton’s intent, telling the Hatters’ website: “(I’m) obviously frustrated to lose the game. Today we were looking for a few things. We were looking for a number of people to get games, which we ticked off. A few people to push and get more minutes, which we ticked off. No injuries, which I believe we got. We have to look after one or two.
“But I wanted a performance and we didn’t really get the performance. Probably until a little bit earlier on.
“I’m pleased with one or two of the kids and the impact that they made, but I just thought that we lacked any real forward thrust.
“We were not what I want us to be, played too passively in the first half. We made three big errors for their goals and we’ve got to make sure we cut that out.
“If we’re going to make them, now’s the time to make them, learn from them and get better. Yeah, a mixed day.
“Minutes. Not having any more injuries is really important for us, but performance-wise, we left a little bit out there today.”
Town return to the UK on Monday ahead of a friendly trip to Dundee United on Friday.
