Collins thrilled by his opening day hat-trick against Norwich

Luton striker James Collins was thrilled to begin the season in the perfect fashion with a match-winning hat-trick against Norwich City in the Carabao Cup on Saturday.

With the game looking like it might require penalties to find a winner, the forward was up and running for the campaign with 11 minutes to go, netting from the spot after Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu had been fouled.

Although Kieran Dowell equalised moments later, Collins then managed to twist his body in mid-air and volley home a second before wrapping up the win from Jordan Clark’s unselfish assist in stoppage time.

It was his fourth hat-trick in Town colours and sixth of his career, but a first treble since January 2019, as speaking afterwards, the attacker said: “To score a goal in a game is great but to score three is obviously fantastic for anyone.

“Any striker in any league will tell you to get a goal in their first game of the season is great, but to get three is brilliant for me, so I’m personally delighted.

"I think it was all about the result though. We came up against a good Norwich side and even though they had a lot of players missing, they were still a really tough opposition.

"To come away with a win and get through to the next round is a big statement for us.”

A tight first half saw Collins have one of Luton’s best chances, failing to connect with Martin Cranie’s throughball, while the defender also went close with a header, as did Elliot Lee.

Home keeper James Shea was called upon though from range, as he also made some excellent saves in the second period too ensuring Luton were in the position to take advantage during the closing stages.

Collins continued: “I thought it was a really good test, they kept the ball really well, but first half we had the better chances.

"I had another one myself, but I thought we defended really well as a unit too.

"Sheasy made some great saves when he needed to and I thought once we went 1-0 up, there was only going to be one winner.

"They're a great side, they got back in it, but we took the game away from them and credit to the lads.”

Once Mpanzu was fouled in the area, Collins easily beat debutante Daniel Barden from the spot, as on making his mind up prior, he said: “I always have an idea in my head, I always practice in the week.

"I knew where I was going and fortunately for me I went in.”

Dowell pulled the Canaries level instantly, but Collins was happy with his own side’s reaction as he made it 2-1 just 60 seconds later, saying: “It's a bit of a blow, but the lad's had a great strike and that's the quality they've got in their side, but I thought we kept our heads up, went for the win and got it.

"Pelly got a connection on it, I saw it come to me, I tried to get something on it and it managed to go into the back of the net.

"It was just a day where everything went right really and those days you've got to take as not every game is like that .

“It was important when we went in front again to make sure we held on and I was confident we could go on and nick another one as they were pushing for the equaliser.

"So credit to everyone involved, I thought it was a great performance.”

Collins then had his final goal, scoring a third to make it his second opening day treble for the Hatters.

When he last managed such a feat it was back in August 2017, an 8-2 hammering of Yeovil Town in League Two that started a promotion-winning campaign for the Town.

The ex-Crawley frontman added: "I remember that game really well, as it was my debut for the club.

"So if the season can end up like that one, then obviously we’d all be very happy.”