Luton Town completed their pre-season preparation ahead of the Premier League campaign with a double-header against Bundesliga side VfL Bochum.
The Hatters fell to defeat in the first of two matches in Germany, Tom Lockyer’s header was not enough as Kevin Stöger and Takuma Asano found the net for Bochum.
It was a more positive result for the Hatters in the second 90 minutes, as Luke Berry’s double and Elijah Adebayo cancelled out Matúš Bero’s first half equaliser.
Match one
The Hatters began the game slowly and were one-goal behind within ten minutes as Stöger latched onto a loose ball in the penalty box and calmly found the net.
Bochum remained on top as Asano was found by Philipp Hofmann and the Japanese international’s effort crashed off the post.
New signing Thomas Kaminski was called into action on multiple occasions in the first period, denying Lukas Daschner, Hofmann and Asano.
Town grew into the game as the half developed and found an equaliser five minutes before half-time, Ryan Giles’ corner was met by the head of Lockyer.
Two more chances followed for the Hatters before the break as Tahith Chong and Carlton Morris both failed to take full advantage.
The second half began with the hosts back on top, and Bochum went back into the lead after Stöger’s brilliant pass found Asano who comfortably slotted past Kaminski.
Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu cleared a Bochum effort off the line 15 minutes before full-time as Christopher Antwi-Adjei slid the ball into the bottom corner before Luton’s 17 cleared it away.
Hatters midfielder Jordan Clark was stretchered off before the full-time whistle as the first of two matches against Bochum ended in defeat.
Match One XI: Kaminski, Kaboré, Mpanzu, Lockyer, Bell, Giles, Nakamba, Clark (Nelson, 82), Chong, Morris, Ogbene (McAtee, 82).
Goals:
VfLB – Stöger 9’, Asano 51’
LT – Lockyer 38’
Match two
The beginning of our second game was better than the first, and the Hatters took the lead as Berry latched onto Cauley Woodrow’s pass to slot into the bottom corner.
It was an instant response from the hosts, as Jordi Osei-Tutu’s cross was found by Bero to bring Bochum level three minutes after going behind.
Hatters defender Dan Potts went down with an injury and was forced off after 26 minutes, replaced by academy defender Jack Bateson.
The second half was relatively quiet until Town regained the lead with 20 minutes remaining, as Adebayo slotted Alfie Doughty’s low cross into an empty net.
The one-goal lead was doubled six minutes later as Berry completed his brace by meeting Adebayo’s cross with a beautiful diving header at the back-post.
Match Two XI: Macey, Doughty, Francis-Clarke, Odell-Bature (Luker, 84), Potts (Bateson, 26), Johnson, Watson, Campbell (Nelson, 87), Berry (McAtee, 87), Adebayo, Woodrow.
Goals:
VfLB – Bero 17’
LT – Berry 14’, 76’, Adebayo 70’