A strong Hatters side ran out comprehensive winners in their Vertu Trophy opener against Barnet at Kenilworth Road.

The Town were in command from the 11th minute when Lasse Nordås scored his second goal in as many games when converting from close range following Gideon Kodua’s fine low cross.

And eight minutes later the lead was doubled when Jerry Yates raced on to Cohen Bramall’s pass to cut inside and fire home his first goal in Luton colours from six yards.

Nordås poked a shot that Barnet goalkeeper Owen Evans turned behind on 31 minutes before Yates tested Evans again with a vicious snap-shot two minutes before the break.

The Town then added a third on the stroke of half-time when Bramall struck a superb free-kick in off the crossbar for his first goal in orange and blue.

There was still time for Yates to test Evans again when the striker was found in the penalty area after a short-corner.

After the interval James Shea stopped a series of half-chances for the Bees as the visitors pushed for a goal back.

Shayden Morris, signed from Aberdeen on deadline day, was sent on for his debut on 62 minutes in the place of Yates, and the winger immediately showed his speed when searing down the right to send in a beautiful low cross that just eluded Nordås and Milli Alli.

Matt Bloomfield rang the changes in the final 15 minutes with goalscorers Yates, Bramall and Nordås all making way.

And the Town celebrated a late fourth when Morris was fouled in the box and the winger dusted himself down to convert from 12 yards for a debut goal.

Morris then blocked a goal-bound shot from Christ Makosso following a right-wing corner as the Town hunted a late fifth, but it was the visitors who would have the final word when Adam Senior headed past Shea in the final minute of added time for a consolation.

It was a comfortable evening for the Town who head to Cambridge United in this competition next – but it’s back here at Kenilworth Road a week on Saturday in League One against Plymouth.

We’ll see you then. UTT.

Town: Shea, Kodua (sub Morris 63), Bramall (sub Lonwijk 73), Naismith, Chigozie, Makosso, Walsh, Richards (sub Phillips 85), Nelson, Yates (sub Alli 63), Nordås (sub Fanne 73).

Subs not used: Keeley, Lynch.

Attendance: 3,157, including 404 shouting for Barnet