The Under-18s secured their first win in the Youth Alliance League Cup with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Cambridge United at Kenilworth Road on Saturday morning.

The Hatters started the game well and came close to taking the lead when Zach Ioannides saw his shot well saved by the Cambridge goalkeeper.

After dominating the first half for long spells the Town deservedly took the lead eight minutes before half-time when Matthew Takawira headed home Harry Fox’s excellent inswinging corner.

And it got better for the young Hatters on the stroke of half-time when Takawira doubled his and the Town’s tally, finishing well after taking Christian Chigozie’s pass.

The Town needed the bravery of goalkeeper Lucas Thomas early in the second period to deny Cambridge a way into the game. The stopper was taken to hospital and the game was delayed for a large period after an accidental collision with a visiting player.

When play resumed, the Hatters made the game safe in the 70th minute when captain Charlie Emery converted a wide free-kick at the back post and that’s the way it stayed to give the Town their first win in the league cup this term in front of their friends and family watching in the stands.

Boss Joe Deeney said afterwards: “There were a lot of pleasing moments but the most important thing on the day was the welfare of Lucas Thomas who has been in hospital since. He is talking and is his normal jovial self as we would expect. His bravery and courage was admirable and we will miss him in the short term but look forward to his return.

“I would like to thank Charlotte, our physio, the Cambridge United staff, our staff and St John’s for looking after Lucas.

“I was really proud of the lads and how well they carried on in difficult circumstances for the remaining 32 minutes of the game.

“There are always things we can improve but overall I felt we acquitted ourselves well and represented the club well throughout the game and as I said earlier the welfare of the players is always the most important.”

It’s back to the bread and butter of the Youth Alliance this Saturday when the Hatters travel to Northampton (kick-off 10.30am).

Town: Thomas (sub Booth), Roberts-Edema, Fox, Ioannides, Emery, Chigozie, Asamoah, Stitt, Takawira (sub Ed-Okungbowa), Trustram (sub Xavier-Jones), Shepherd (sub Harvey).

Sub not used: Evans.