4th August 2017

Town will be looking to kick-off the season with a bang when they head to Kenilworth Road, aiming to emulate the start to the 2016/17 campaign which saw Notts County defeated 2-0 at Huish Park. 

After seven pre-season fixtures and 10 signings during the summer, a new look Glovers squad will make the journey to Bedfordshire in search of three points. 

Darren Way could hand nine new recruits their competitive debut, with Stephane Zubar (knee) the only new arrival to miss out. 

The experienced defender is the only confirmed absentee, with Bevis Mugabi (ankle) undergoing a late fitness test to determine his availability. 

Having arrived in Somerset at the end of June for an undisclosed fee from the Hatters, midfielder Jake Gray will return to his former club after making 28 appearances last term, whilst Luton boast three familiar faces.

Manager Nathan Jones will stand alongside Way in the dugout, whilst former loanee Lawson D’Ath could well be involved. 

Between the sticks, Marek Stech will likely line-up against the Glovers for the first time since departing in 2014 having earnt cult status by helping Town reach the Championship via the play-offs in 2013. 

The Czech stopper is one of five new faces at Luton, being joined by James Collins, Elliot Lee, James Shea and Jack Stacey.

Play-off semi-final losers last season, the Hatters will be looking to go one better this time out, with Jones’ side tipped for promotion by many. 

Head-to-head
The Glovers head to Bedfordshire looking for their second competitive win over Luton. 

Town came away from Kenilworth Road with a share of the spoils last season, with Tom Eaves’ header cancelling out Stephen O’Donnell’s opener. 

In the reverse fixture at Huish Park a Danny Hylton brace and strikes from Glen Rea and Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu saw off Way’s side, having also ended the Glovers Checkatrade Trophy run at the quarter-final stage in February. 

Overall, Luton boast four wins to Yeovil’s one, with a meeting between the two sides ending in a draw on a further three occasions. 

Officials
Gavin Ward (Surrey) will be the man in the middle on Saturday. 

Mr. Ward took charge of just one Town fixure during the 2016/17 campaign, the 2-2 draw at Stevenage which saw Ben Whitfield rescue a point with the last kick of the game.

Overall, the Surrey-based official handed out 150 yellow and six red cards last season.

In Bedfordshire, Mr. Ward will be assisted by Nicholas Cooper (Suffolk) and Gregory Read (Surrey) with Kevin Howick (Berkshire) acting as fourth official. 

Coverage
Darren Way’s pre-match interview can be watched in full for free on iFollow Glovers.

On matchday, minute-by-minute updates will be provided on YTFC’s official Twitter account and live matchday centre.

If you’re unable to attend the game, live audio commentary is available via the iFollow Glovers service, with the monthly and season subscriptions offering full-match replays from Sunday. 

A full match report will follow on YTFC.net at full-time with post-match reaction from manager Darren Way and a member of the playing staff following soon after. 

Tickets
Fans have until 12.30 to purchase tickets from the Luton Town ticket office by calling 01582 416976.