Smith and McKenzie-Lowe double up in Hatters win

Two goals apiece for Charlie Smith and Jemale McKenzie-Lowe ensured they made the perfect start to their Football League Youth Alliance season.

Manager Paul Driver said: “We are really pleased to gain a victory in the first competitive match of the season and Dagenham are always a difficult side to play against as they are always well organised and deadly at set pieces.

“The boys look fit and are understanding how we want them to play.

“We had a few pockets of 10 minutes or so where we were very good, but a few bits of sloppy decision-making let them score so there’s still work to do, but we have made great progress so far and have given ourselves a good base to build on.”

After an even start Town enjoyed a good 10-minute spell and took a 15th-minute lead when Isaac Galliford drove into the box and the winger winger was upended, with Charlie Smith converting from the spot.

Luton’s lead was doubled on 24 minutes when a quickly-taken free-kick by Ian Rees and some neat interplay between Zane Banton and McKenzie-Lowe ended in the latter drilling home a brilliant finish from 20 yards.

Dagenham hit straight back when a corner wasn’t cleared and a cross back into the box and was tucked away from close range.

Banton found space in the box before the break but couldn’t get his shot off quick enough as the chance was blocked.

The Hatters started the second half in confident fashion and restored their two-goal lead when a positive run and cross from Arel Amu was turned in from inside the six-yard box by McKenzie-Lowe.

And the lead was increased before the hour when the keeper was just unable to keep out Smith’s 25-yard effort.

Smith almost completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute, but his right-footed effort from outside the box rebounded to safety off a post.

Dagenham pulled a goal back in injury time, but the Hatters had no further scares as they claimed a deserved victory.

Hatters: Barnes, Trottman, Hawkes, Rees, Crilley, Chabata, Amu, Smith (C), McKenzie-Lowe, Banton, Galliford. Substitutes: King, Perry, Amadi, Allman, Tayali.