The Town's Under-18's started their pre-season campaign with a 3-2 away win against Langford Town's first team on Saturday.

Langford started the brighter and pegged the young Hatters back with counter attacks in the early exchanges. The host's early pressure told as after 11 minutes a near post delivery from a corner was turned home with a powerful glancing near post header.

After this setback the Town began to establish themselves, with Jordan Patrick and Liam Toomey a constant threat in behind the Langford back four.

Tavernier broke from midfield and dwelled on the ball when a shot would have been a better end product.

However, the Hatters were back on level terms shortly after this when a well worked free kick from the edge of the box saw Dasilva cleverly slide the ball down the side of the wall to Tavernier who calmly slotted home.

The Town then began to dominate and Toomey was put through on goal following a good slide from midfield but he attempted one last trick rather than getting his shot away and chance when begging.

With the Hatters still on top, they deservedly took the lead after 39 minutes. Jean Phillipe Yamfam won good a header, which found Jordan Patrick, he cleverly helped the ball around the corner to set Yamfam in on goal. He raced away from back four and cooly slotted home.

Town's fortunes took a turn for the worse early in the second period when, in an unnecessary scuffle, Dasilva was sent off for violent conduct.

In attempt to settle tempers down manager Martin Prickett made a number of changes and the visitors went back on the offensive with substitute Colby McAdams unlucky not to extend their lead after racing clear of the Langford defence.

But the Town weren't to be frustrated for much longer as Tavernier broke from midfield and slid in Toomey who this time powered the ball home with an excellent first time finish.

The game wasn't finished though as Langford finally broke the hard-working rearguard to reduce the deficit after beating the Hatters' offside trap but it made little difference as the visitors recorded their first win of pre-season.

A pleased Prickett said afterwards: " I was happy with today's workout, I thought Toomey and Patrick played really well, they were a constant threat off the shoulders of the Langford defenders.

"I'm delighted Liam got off the mark today and Jordan was also unlucky not to open his account.

"I was particularly impressed with Tavernier and Godfrey Poku. I thought they were overrun a little in the first half but really established themselves in the second half and allowed us to keep possession and control the game.

"Our back four worked hard today and although there is a lot of room for improvement Fabio Bufano and Newman Carney's good passing meant we were able to play out from the back with great success."

Squad: Kidd, Deeney, James, Bufano, Carney, Dasilva, Poku, Tavernier, Yamfam, Patrick, Toomey, Blake, Kaddu, Murzai, Woodrow, McAdams.