With manager Jack Wilshere bringing his full first team squad to Top Field it was always going to be a challenging afternoon for Hitchin. Indeed Luton passed the ball really well and the Hitchin players had to work hard to stay in the game. Devante Cole flicked a shot over the bar after 10 minutes before Luton took the lead after 14 minutes. Harrison Ashby was fouled and Jordan Clark headed home from a Liam Walsh free kick. Blue Joy then produced a brilliant challenge to prevent a shot from Shayden Morris.

With Luton dominating possession the Hitchin defence was working hard and Tyler McGregor saved well from Gideon Kodua. The second goal from Luton was a cracking strike from Clark that gave McGregor no chance. Dan Stokoe shot wide after Hitchin's best move of the half which involved Rio Deall and George Morrall with 40 minutes on the clock. McGregor made another good save from Morris just before half time.

Luton changed their whole team for the second half while Hitchin opted to keep the same team until the hydration break. On 52 minutes Luton extended the lead after Nahki Wells headed home from an excellent cross from Sverre Sandall. Luton's aerial domination continued when on 62 minutes Kasey Palmer headed home from a George Saville cross. Hitchin continued to work hard against an impressive Luton and with 4 minutes to go Kye Tearle produced Hitchin's first shot on target that was well saved by James Shea.

Luton added a fifth goal on 90 minutes and it was another header with Christian Chigozie finishing off a cross from a triallist. So it was as expected a tough work out for Hitchin but manager Michael Jones while unhappy with some of the goals was positive about the performance. Southern League opponents will not have the pedigree of Luton and at no stage were Hitchin overwhelmed and they continued to play good football.

The main reason for the game was to celebrate Mark Burke's 40 years with Hitchin Town. Mark is a club legend and it was great to see so many of his former colleagues at the game to celebrate his achievement. After the main game there were three generation games with ex- Luton and Hitchin players playing and a certain Jack Wilshere played and showed a touch of class. Burkey himself provided some neat touches as did John Frendo who made me think if only he was in his prime how many goals would he score today.

The corrected attendance was 2,172 which was a great turnout and many thanks to the large Luton following who as ever were impeccably behaved.