Town’s youngsters hammer Boston in FA Youth Cup

Charlie Smith helped Luton Town U18s to victory at Boston United

Hatters led after just 15 minutes when striker Zane Banton, recently handed a professional deal at Kenilworth Road, converted from close range.

It was 2-0 shortly afterwards as Jemale McKenzie-Lowe found the net from 10 yards, with the third arriving on 28 minutes when Arel Amu scored with an angled drive.

Town had the game sewn up before the interval too as a fantastic team goal was finished by midfielder Isaac Galliford.

After the break, Boston were reduced to 10 men when Miles Lynch was sent-off for a dangerous tackle on Tinashe Chabata as Town easily booked a second round tie away to Gateshead in a fortnight’s time.

Boss Paul Driver told the club’s official website: “Between the 10th and 40th minutes was the best we’d played all season.

“We took our chances when we did and we could have scored more goals in the second half.

“We hit the woodwork two or three times but the positives are there for all to see, we did what you have to do at an away cup tie really well.

“We told the players not to start sluggish, to keep the ball, get an early touch for confidence, and to just play.

“When we didn’t have the ball we had to work hard and that’s what the boys did.

“After four goals in the first half Boston changed things around in the second and went man-for-man, but we did the right thing, kept the ball and didn’t do anything silly.”

On the next round clash at fellow Skrill Premier side Gateshead, Driver added: “They will be tough. I watched them win on penalties at Tranmere where they did really well.

“They scored in the final minute of the game and last minute of extra-time. I like that in a team, they never gave up.

“It’ll be like playing a Football League club - they are that good.”

Town U18s: Barnes, Trotman (sub Perry 79), Hawkes, Rees, Chabata, Tamplin, Amu, Smith, Galliford (Ngwala 70), McKenzie-Lowe (Amadi 79), Banton. Subs not used: Tayali, King.

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