Luton go out after failing to hit heights

FOR Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy this was a relief. In five of the last six seasons he has exited the League Cup at the first hurdle. It would of course be David McGoldrick, the man McCarthy signed in 2013, who would help put an end to that. His two goals beat a Luton side fresh from their 8-2 dismantling of Yeovil. It was not just McGoldrick who gave them reason to be cheerful. Bersant Celina, on loan from Manchester City, was given his full debut along with Tristan Nydam and Flynn Downes. McCarthy had raved about Celina and it is easy to see why. Playing behind McGoldrick, he hassled the Luton back four and showed skilful touches. But there was concern for Ipswich when James Collins, who scored three for Luton on Saturday, came close to scoring inside 10 minutes when he raced into the box but failed to meet Andrew Shinnie’s cross. Luton might possess plenty of firepower but defensively they lack organisation. That was apparent when Glen Rea made a mistake to allow Dominic Iorfa to get inside the box but he wasted the chance. Luton would not be so lucky in the 34th minute. Celina threaded a pass through to McGoldrick, who scored past goalkeeper Marek Stech. Luton’s response was fierce but not enough. Elliot Lee went close with a right-footed curler before he failed to put into an open net following a Jordan Cook shot. Luton pressed forward but Ipswich stood firm and brought on £1million signing Martyn Waghorn from Rangers, though they will expect his finishing to improve in the coming weeks. Thankfully they can still rely on McGoldrick, who rounded things off with a late finish.