James Collins hits a hat-trick as Luton thump 10-man Peterborough

Posted Sunday, January 20, 2019 by PA

Striker James Collins hit a hat-trick as Luton thrashed 10-man Peterborough 4-0 at Kenilworth Road.

He had his first after eight minutes when Andrew Shinnie found Jack Stacey on the overlap and he picked out Collins to net from close range.

Lee Tomlin fired narrowly wide for Posh, but the visitors were down to 10 men after 25 minutes when Ryan Tafazolli was sent off for a lunging challenge on Shinnie.

Town made them pay with a second just two minutes later, Collins hammering home another Stacey cross.

Luke Berry’s long range effort was superbly saved by Aaron Chapman, with Collins then volleying wide from close in.

Town’s top scorer had his treble in the 53rd minute, collecting a pass from Kazenga LuaLua and firing a first-time left-foot shot beyond Chapman.

Collins should have had a fourth, skying over the crossbar when clean through, but Luton did bag another, LuaLua threading the ball to Berry and he spun his man superbly before slotting home.

New signing George Moncur almost made it 5-0, denied by a goal-line clearance, as Luton recorded a first win under interim boss Mick Harford.