Academy

Five-star performance for Under-17s

Comprehensive Professional Under-17 Development Cup victory for Joe Deeney’s side

Hincapie-Alfonso

The Hatters youth team thrashed Milton Keynes 5-1 in the Professional Under-17 Development Cup on Tuesday night.

In the 17th minute the Town opened the scoring, as a corner kick whipped in by Archie Shepherd was met by the head of Christian Chigozie to make it 1-0.

Less than a minute later and a pass in behind the Milton Keynes back line by Kyron Roberts-Edema put Samuel Hincapie-Alfonso (pictured) away. The striker showed excellent strength to outmuscle the defender before finishing well.

The Hatters had several opportunities after that to extend the lead before it was 3-0 in the 39th minute. Excellent work by Dylan Stitt and Benny Benagr pressed and regained the ball, before Stitt found Hincapie-Alfonso who did well to find Harry Fox to find the net from eight yards.

Two minutes later, the Town were caught out by a ball in behind the back line which led to the visitors winning a penalty which converted to reduce the scoreline to 3-1.

There was a longer than scheduled half-time break due to a power cut in Luton that led to a brief floodlight failure.

But when the second half resumed Milton Keynes created the first meaningful effort of the half, forcing Charlie Booth into a save after a shot from range.

However in the 50th minute a good passing move led to Shepherd and Benagr combining well down the left before Benagr delivered a superb cross for a trialist to head home at the near post.

Five minutes later it was 5-1 when another excellent delivery, this time from Fox, was met by the head of the same trialist who headed home his second of the game to seal the victory.

Head coach Joe Deeney said: “Overall I was delighted with so many elements of our play. We showed a ruthlessness in many moments of the game. The way Milton Keynes play, creating rotations and fluidity with their movement, forces us to problem solve and communicate.

“We had to be brave to lock on at times man for man which my players did exceptionally well on the night.

“Our ball speed, combination play and quality were evident on numerous occasions which was highlighted by the number of chances we created.

“We were disappointed for not killing the game against Bromley on Saturday early on but tonight we didn’t repeat that, which showed a real willingness to improve. That’s the Professional Development phase of football, learn every game and always look to improve. Tonight we showed a performance that was dominant and one which the players should be proud of.”

Town: Booth, Asamoah, Benagr, Chigozie, Barnes, Roberts-Edema, Fox, Stitt, Trailist, Hincapie-Alfonso, Shepherd.

Subs: Odegah, Dean, T. Takawira, Passley-James, Ed-Okungbowa.

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