Soccer
Luton cruise past Gillingham in League Cup
League One Luton cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over League Two Gillingham in the Carabao Cup first round.
Goals from Nahki Wells, Benny Benagr and Gideon Kodua made sure Jack Wilshere’s side impressed at the Priestfield Stadium.
Veteran hitman Wells fired the visitors into a 43rd-minute lead before teenager Benagr doubled the advantage on the hour mark with a reaction finish.
Wells was denied by a brilliant one-handed save from Mansfield loan goalkeeper Owen Mason, but Benagr was on hand to mop up the loose ball and slotted home from close range.
Substitute Kodua added a third with 12 minutes left, heading home from close range to secure a comprehensive win as the Hatters kicked off their season in style.
It would have easily been 4-0, but Kodua struck a post in the third of eight minutes of added time.
The visitors could have taken the lead inside three minutes but Jake Richards saw his left-footed strike well saved by Mason.
The keeper was then called upon twice in quick succession with Jordan Clark trying his luck. His first effort from 20 yards was well gathered before a toe poke which looked destined for the net was superbly clawed away.
But Gills defensive resilience was finally broken when Jayden Luker threaded a perfectly-weighted pass towards Wells inside the box and he guided an effort into the corner.
Benagr tucked home for 2-0 and Godua sealed the victory when an initial stop from Mason fell in his lap.
