The Hatters Under-18s got their season off to a flying start in the Youth Alliance with a 5-1 win over Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

Joe Deeney’s group, who were champions of the southern section last term, started brightly and took the lead in the 13th minute when Alvin Isufi teed up Nassim El Gourja to drill a fine finish into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

After going close to doubling their lead, the Town then allowed Argyle to dominate, and an excellent save from Charlie Booth denied the visitors an equaliser on 24 minutes.

That chance woke the Hatters up, and 11 minutes before half-time, it was 2-0 when El Gourja got to the byline to fizz in a low cross that saw Sam Hincapie-Alfonso tap home from close range.

After the break, a pass in behind the Plymouth defence from El Gourja found David Gawel, and he raced through on goal to bury a great finish beyond the Argyle keeper.

Chances for a fourth came and went before Plymouth got one goal back from the penalty spot on 74 minutes but, six minutes later, the three-goal cushion was restored when Gawel got his second when lashing home after taking a El Gourja pass.

The scoring was then complete with four minutes to play when a pass from Charlie Booth was dummied by Darren Frimpong-Kwakye, allowing Gawel to drive clear in on goal and finish well to complete his hat-trick.

Town: Booth, Roberts-Edema, Fox, Chigozie, Evans, Isufi, Gawel, El Gourja, Asamoah Jnr, Passley-James, Hincapie-Alfonso.

Subs: Frimpong-Kwakye, Richards, Lesser, Warlow, Swain.