Kachunga's double helps the U's to sink the sorry Hatters

CAMBRIDGE United began their EFL Trophy campaign with a 3-1 victory over Luton Town at the Abbey on Tuesday evening.

- By STEPHEN PAGE

Mads Anderson gave the visitors a 16th-minute lead, but Glenn McConnell’s first senior goal before the interval and a second-half brace from Elias Kachunga earned the U’s the points.

The result sent United top of Southern Group H after their first group-stage game, with the U’s moving above the Hatters on goal difference with their win.

Neil Harris opted to make ten changes from his side's 3-1 victory over Crawley Town on Saturday, with James Brophy the only player to keep his place in the starting 11.

Following Matt Bloomfield’s sacking on Monday, Luton caretaker boss Alex Lawless made six alterations from the Hatters’ 2-0 defeat at Stevenage in League One at the weekend.

Shayden Morris had the first opportunity of the contest nine minutes in after being picked out by a quick throw-in from Nigel Lonwijk, but the winger’s low strike was held by U’s debutant Ben Hughes.

United's first attempt came a couple of minutes later, with Brophy having a right-footed strike deflected behind for a corner.