Luton 2-0 Leicester

Barnett's first professional goal helped earn Luton victory

Leon Barnett and Carlos Edwards scored to give Luton victory over Leicester in the opening game of the English season.

Barnett latched on to Lewis Emanuel's corner and powered a header into the Foxes goal after eight minutes.

Keeper Marlon Beresford palmed a Gareth Williams free-kick against the crossbar to deny the visitors an equaliser.

But Luton wrapped up the points after a composed finish from Trinidad & Tobago international Edwards, who cut inside before shooting home from eight yards.

Luton boss Mike Newell had given the Hatters a boost in the lead up to the game by signing a new four-year contract with the club.

606 MESSAGE BOARD VIEW Luton were too quick and too sharp for us Nick 606: Have your say

He sprung a surprise by leaving summer striker signing Adam Boyd on the bench but Leicester still had to contend with Warren Feeney and Rowan Vine, who spearheaded a bright Luton side.

The pair combined well midway through the second half and almost added to the home side's lead.

Vine produced a mazy run and Feeney almost poked in a shot but had his effort saved by sprawling keeper Paul Henderson.

Boyd came on for Vine before Edwards after 79 minutes completed the win for Luton against a Leicester side lacking potency in attack.

---

Luton manager Mike Newell:
"Two goals, a clean sheet and three points - you can't ask for much more than that, but I thought we were unconvincing at times.

"We're always looking at what we had in the past, but you do have to take into consideration the heat to be fair to the players.

"You can't not be happy with three points on the board. There's always a bit of nerves going into the new season, particularly with how well we did last term and with people writing us off already.

"We're always positive but it's just that I think we can play better than that."

Leicester boss Rob Kelly:

"We were in the game and started well but to concede a goal in the way we did is bitterly disappointing.

"It shaped the game after that because we were always chasing and they managed to get a second to kill it off, so credit to them.

"At 1-0 it gives a side something to hold on to and Luton sat in there. Our players gave it a go but we weren't as creative as they were."

---

Luton: Beresford, Foley, Davis (Morgan 73), Barnett, Heikkinen, Edwards, Robinson, Emanuel, Langley, Vine (Boyd 61), Feeney.
Subs Not Used: Perrett, Brkovic, Barrett.

Booked: Vine, Emanuel.

Goals: Barnett 8, Edwards 79.

Leicester: Henderson, Stearman, Johansson, Kenton, McCarthy, Maybury (O'Grady 73), Williams, Johnson, Tiatto (Hughes 66), Hume (Hammond 55), Fryatt.
Subs Not Used: McAuley, Logan.

Booked: McCarthy, Maybury, Tiatto.

Att: 8,131.

Ref: C Penton (Sussex).