Fred Onyedinma scored one and set up the other two as he admitted his Luton debut turned out better than he dreamt it would, as he helped new-look Luton battered Championship new boys Peterborough United.
It was an emotional day all round at Kenilworth Road to start the season, as more than 10,000 supporters packed this famous old stadium for the first time in 17 long, miserable months of empty stadia due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
And there was an outpouring of support for those lost to the disease and for club legend Mick Harford, who will later this month step away from his role as assistant manager while he undergoes a 12-week course of radiotherapy after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in December.
For his last home game, and for the supporters’ first since February 29 last year, the long overdue full house were treated to a relentless performance spearheaded by summer signing Onyedinma.
His capture from Wycombe was only made possible by those supporters paying for season tickets despite last term all but 3,000 of them being forced to watch from afar for 44 Championship matches.
This was some way to repay them and asked if he’d allowed himself to imagine how his Hatters bow would turn out, Onyedinma said: “I’m not going to lie to you, kind of.
“Speaking with Gabe (Gabriel Osho), I told him, (I’d get) one goal, one assist, so it was better than my dream and I’m just delighted with that.”
His pace terrified the living daylights out of the Posh defenders, but he made his first mark when he stood the ball up for Elijah Adebayo to get his season off to a goalscoring start, as the tall striker rose highest to head in off the upright to ensure a one goal lead at the break.
But Town turned up the heat after the restart with Onyedinma and the heart of that intensity.
He showed them the afterburners to speed to the byline and cut a cross into the six-yard area to where Harry Cornick was waiting to tap in.
The attacker had laboured to just one goal all last term, coming late in the campaign, but he rectified that on opening day and the relief in his face was palpable.
But he got his focus straight back on business and, soon after, fed in James Bree who’s cross was met perfectly by Onyedinma and the power with which he connected was too hot to handle for keeper Christy Pym and the man of the moment lashed in the rebound.
Manager Nathan Jones said: “Fred was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. That’s why we brought him here, but we’ve got others.
“We work on stuff and he’s nowhere near his ceiling. I thought Admiral (Muskwe) and he was excellent. Carlos, when he came on, he settled us down. Henri (Lansbury), you can see why we brought him here.
“And we’ve still got five or six not even in the squad, so the strength in depth we’ve got is very, very good.”
Indeed, Town started their campaign with a makeshift defence, as captain Sonny Bradley, Tom Lockyer and Reece Burke all missed out after due to a disjointed preparations, with Covid a factor.
In their place, came Amari’i Bell, who excelled on his debut, linking up well with Onyedinma, despite having been away with Jamaica in the Gold Cup for much of pre-season. And Kal Naismith partnered Osho at centre back, 24 hours after the former Reading man penned a new deal with the club, having been on loan at Rochdale last term.
And though the Hatters made Peterborough feed off scraps in a dominant second half, Osho more than impressed, with his assuredness and in one first half Posh flurry, a vital block.
Jones said: “I’m delighted because, I wouldn’t say worry, but if we were going to come unstuck today, it was a makeshift back four.
“Gabby making his full league debut. Amari’i Bell has been away in the Gold Cup. Kal has only been with us six months, but they were excellent in and out of possession.
“They limited a side that used to scoring goals to very little.”
Great game from the Town. That’s precisely the idea of progress I had in mind for this season. I don’t think we should focus on where we finish the season (as long as we stay up). We should focus on how we play the game, particularly in attack. Being able to play like Saturday on a regular basis will be huge progress and I’m sure our position would look after itself then.
That is without a doubt the most exciting and attacking Luton have played since joining this division. It was so reminiscent of the league one promotion. Threats everywhere, confident on the ball, confident to slow it down to lull posh into a false sense of security before upping the pace hugely at the drop of a hat. Proper delivery into the box. Proper attacking of the near and far posts and the penalty spot from attackers. Prepared to properly tackle in midfield and not afraid of a little nibble at ankles. And the defence was a good as it was last season even with a Sluga wobble. Osho looked so composed
The balance, pace and aggression seemed so much better than the last 2 seasons. Sure it’s only one game, and against a side that offered nothing but diving and fouls (should have had at least one red). Bigger challenges are coming, starting Saturday. But there is lots to be excited by.
The greatest compliment is that there is a strong chance Collo and Pearson will miss Luton more than we will miss them. Though best of luck to them both of course.