Howells scores twice at Thurrock as Ruddock Mpanzu returns

Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu returned to action for Luton as they won a pulsating pre-season friendly 4-2 at Thurrock this evening.

The 22-year-old played for an hour at Ship Lane, his first game in a Hatters shirt since February.

As revealed by the News/Gazette earlier, former Burton and Crewe striker Calvin Zola took his place alongside Mustafa Tiryaki upfront, while Jake Howells captained the side, with former Staines and Hampton midfielder Louis Rae-Beadle playing too.

Thurrock took just a minute to open the scoring though as Magnus Okuonghae was robbed of possession, allowing Daniel Francis to fire past Craig King.

Back came the Hatters as the hosts put through their own net, while Howells made it 2-1 from the penalty spot shortly afterwards.

Ruddock Mpanzu was withdrawn on the hour mark, and his replacement Alex Atkinson netted Town’s third with a classy strike shortly after coming on.

There was still time left for Howells to bag his second of the evening, before Ryan Clarke completed the scoring late on.

Town now are back at Kenilworth Road on Saturday, as they host League One Coventry City.

Hatters: King, Trotman, Onyemah, Okuonghae, Williams (Snelus), Howells, Galliford. Rae-Beadle (Bakinson), Ruddock Mpanzu (Atkinson), Tiryaki (Craig), Zola (McJanett).