After being involved in all three James Collins goals, new signing Jordan Clark came in for some praise from Luton boss Nathan Jones after the 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Norwich City.
The winger, who joined on a free from Accrington Stanley, had to wait until the 72nd minute for his competitive debut but he made the most of it after replacing Harry Cornick.
He provided the cross that led to a penalty, seven minutes after his introduction, then four minutes after that centred again for Collins’ second, with Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu also involved in the build up for both. Then Clark unselfishly teed up the striker for his treble deep into time added on.
Jones said: “That’s why we brought him here. We’ve got game changers. Harry had been a real threat all afternoon but Jordan adds real quality, a bit of variation in his crossing.
“He was involved in all three and that’s why we brought him to the club. We think he’s an excellent player, we went after him hard and we’re delighted.”
Collins’ hat-trick was the second time he’s netted three on the first day of season, after he did the same in his first ever competitive game for the club in 2017, as part of an 8-2 League Two victory over Yeovil.
He also scored from the spot in Town’s last competitive game, which saw them beat Blackburn Rovers to seal their Championship status in the final game of last season.
Though Jones didn’t watch either that spot-kick or today’s he said of his top marksman: “We trust him, but I’m delighted he scored, for him to get a hat-trick in the first game of the season is fantastic as he’s someone we think a lot of.”
The penalty was quickly cancelled out by Kiean Dowell’s long range equaliser and the Town boss added: “I’m really disappointed with the goal actually as it’s something we have reiterated. At Championship level, if you allow people to have a second or two in and around your box, you’re going to get punished at this level.
“You might not at the levels we’ve come from, but here you do and that’s disappointing. We had numbers back, we defended superbly well and someone should have just got the ball and they didn’t and that allowed him a little bit more time. It’s a great finish, the boy Dowell is some player.
“He finished the season well with Wigan he’s was an England Under-21 international, so that’s the learning curve for us. So, am I going to brerate them for that? No, we’ve scored three and conceded one, that’s the only goal we’ve conceded in five games in pre-season, so were in an OK place.”
But as quickly as Norwich levelled, Luton fired straight back and Jones said: “It wasn’t an ideal time to concede, but it was definitely an ideal time to retake the lead, it’s a good ball in, Pelly’s done well, again, and it’s something we’ve been working on. Collo does what he does best in the box and a great finish.
“I’m delighted, I thought all three goals had a real element about them, certain things that we’ve done and that’s the pleasing thing. The choice of crosses from Jordan Clark on a number of occasions, stretch ball when we’re countering, the cleverness to just put James Collins clean in.
“It’s really pleasing and these are a good side, regardless of they’ve had 15 go off for internationals.
“It was a good performance today all round and finishes off the pre-season campaign. I know it’s the Carabao Cup, but it’s the final pre-season game and it sets us up nicely for a start (in the league) away to Barnsley next week.”
