Town dev squad go down to Cherries
The Hatters development squad went down 4-0 to a strong AFC Bournemouth side on Tuesday afternoon.
Academy and development boss Andy Awford gave starts to winger Danny Green and striker Paul Benson - who both completed 90 minutes.
But the Town – who also included three members of the Under-18s squad in the team – were no match against a Bournemouth side who were able to field £3.5m signing Lee Tomlin and £2.5m striker Tokelo Rantie.
The Premier League side took the lead on 32 minutes when Rantie rounded Elliot Justham and squared for Yann Kermorgant to find the bottom corner.
Rantie and Kermongant then combined to set-up Tomlin for Cherries’ second goal shortly after the hour mark.
Two became three when Rantie finished with aplomb on 73 minutes and South African international then made it 4-0 with his second two minutes later.
Awford said afterwards: "Forget the result - Bournemouth played some of the players who will be used in the Premier League season.
"But it was a a terrific learning curve for our boys. We had Harry Bean, Tyreeq Bakinson and James Verney from the youth team in from the start. That kind of experience for those players doesn't come along too often so I'm hopeful they can use that going forward now.
"Fitness wise Danny Green, Dan Potts and Paul Benson all got 90 minutes under their belts which is also a plus."
Town dev: Justham; Bean, Parry, Onyemah, Potts; Green, Howells, Bakinson, Hall; Verney (sub Cotter 65), Benson. Subs not used: Famewo, King, McGhan-George.