A Lasse Nordås inspired first half saw Luton sweep aside Exeter City to book their place in the third round of the Vertu Trophy.
The Norwegian, making his first appearance in more than a month, bagged a brace and an assist for Shayden Morris as a totally changed Town dominated the Grecians from start to finish.
Nordås’ first goal in exactly three months came when former City star Milli Alli dug out a cross from the byline in the 13th minute that the frontman gobbled up, heading in.
His previous two strikes had both come in the Football League Trophy, and after teeing up Morris for the second – an emphatic strike – he doubled his season’s tally five minutes before the break.
Nordås initially attempted a volley from a free-kick but didn’t connect cleanly, only to get a slice of luck as the loose ball bounced up nicely, which he blasted low beyond City stopper Jack Bycroft.
It was an impressive display from a Hatters side that featured a host of fringe first-teamers, many of whom made a case for more league starts, including Reuell Walters who returned from injury for only his third run out of the season. Academy graduate Joe Johnson was also brought back into the fold with his first appearance since recovering from a lengthy lay-off after a hamstring operation.
“I’ve been saying to the whole squad that I felt like that’s coming. We create a lot of opportunities, but we actually finished the action and that’s really pleasing tonight,” said manager Jack Wilshere.
“I think, of course, with the performance, how we controlled the game and how aggressive we were in certain moments, especially with our press, I thought we were outstanding.
“But, to actually score four was nice. [We] probably should score more, but we’ll take four and move on.”
Nordås should have had a hat-trick in the 64th minute when he pinched the ball on the halfway line but didn’t quite have the legs to carry him all the way, with Sil Swinkels hunting him down and making a last-ditch tackle just as the striker pulled the trigger.
Instead, it was Zack Nelson who added a fourth when Bycroft’s pass out missed his own man and landed at the feet of the youngster, who made no mistake, rifling into the bottom corner.
Wilshere then handed debuts to Zach Ioannides and Jack Lorentzen-JonesJack Lorentzen-Jones, while Harry Fox made his second successive appearance from the bench in the competition.
But, importantly, this was a thoroughly encouraging evening for a host of Hatters players, who may now be banging on the boss’ door for more action – most notably, Nordås.
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