Luton Town 0 Ipswich Town 2 report: Youngsters shine as David McGoldrick brace sees Blues progress

The League Two hosts played their part in an entertaining knockout tie, but the Blues’ extra class showed on a very encouraging evening in Bedfordshire.

Teenage duo Flynn Downes and Tristan Nydam produced performances which belied their tender years in midfield, while Manchester City loanee Bersant Celina excited with his direct running and trickery.

David McGoldrick gives Ipswich a first half lead at Luton. Picture: PAGEPX LTD (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

McGoldrick took his two goals coolly – firing low across the keeper in the 34th minute and deep into stoppage-time – as Town booked their place in round two for only the second time since they reached the semi-finals in 2011.

The Blues lived dangerously at times in the first half, but gradually they found their feet and their higher level status increasingly began to show. Following on from Saturday’s encouraging 1-0 win against Birmingham, there was certainly more evidence of an easier-on-the-eye passing approach.

David McGoldrick scores his second with a shot threaded through a gaggle of players to give Ipswich a win at Luton. Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

The only negative from the evening was Adam Webster going off at half-time with what looked like a tweak of the ankle injury he has only just recovered from, though replacement – teenager Luke Woolfenden – was also assured.

Celina – playing very much as a striker – had already delivered a few ominous driving runs on his debut. The Kosovan international was integral to the opener, receiving Nydam’s forward ball, skipping past his marker and supplying a sublime pass for McGoldrick to calmly stroke back across the keeper and into the bottom corner.

Martin Waghorn at Kenilworth Road last night Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

Luton had their chances though. Elliott Lee curled inches past the post in the 39th minute, then missed a sitter deep into first-half stoppage-time when blazing over an open goal after Dean Gerken had parried Jordan Cook’s effort back into danger.

The Hatters – who started with eight of the team that thrashed Yeovil 8-2 on Saturday – refused to lie down. The closest they came to an equaliser though was when Gerken tipped an Elliot Lee volley wide.

Adam Webster in the stand looking glum after coming off injured at Luton Town Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

Town continued to impress. McGoldrick saw one deflected shot tipped over, then finished things off following Dominic Iorfa’s fine pass inside. The draw for the second round is on Thursday.

Tristan Nydam closes down at Kenilworth Road Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

LUTON TOWN (4-4-2): Stech; Stacey, Cuthbert, Rea, Sheehan; Cook (Mullins 86), O.Lee (Gambin 74), Mpanzu, Shinnie; E.Lee, Collins.

Unused subs: Shea, Senior, McQuoid, Bainson, Musonda.

Flyn Downes gives Jordan Cook no time on the ball Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

IPSWICH TOWN (5-3-2): Gerken; Iorfa, Chambers, Webster (Woolfenden 46), Knudsen, Kenlock; Skuse (McDonnell 72), Downes, Nydam (Waghorn 63); Celina, McGoldrick.

Luke Chambers and Myles Kenlock celebrate after the final whistle at Luton Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

Unused subs: Bialkowski, Webber, Rowe, Sears.

David McGoldrick is congratulated on his first goal at Luton. Picture: PAGEPIX LTD (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

Referee: Andy Haines

David McGoldrick celebrates his second goal with Martyn Waghorn at Luton. Picture: PAGEPIX LTD (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

David McGoldrick celebrates his second goal with Martin Waghorn at Luton Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

David McGoldrick scores his second at Luton (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

Flynn Downes shoots just wide during the second half at Luton Picture Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd)