It was a much-needed victory for Mark Robinson's side and a mature performance steered them to three points in their opening Group D fixture.

After an even opening 30 minutes, the deadlock was broken by Leo Castledine, who headed home beyond Luton goalkeeper Jameson Horlick.

We quickly doubled our lead through Dylan Williams, who created a shooting opportunity with a great run and finished impressively.

Millar Matthews-Smith halved the deficit for Luton on the stroke of the half-time whistle, which set up an entertaining second half.

It was not until the final moments of the game, however, that we added our third and fourth goals of the game. Castledine grabbed his second of the evening with another header and Tyrique George finished from inside the penalty area.

With the format of the competition emulating that of the UEFA Champions League, there were an opening three points up for grabs. And both sides created chances in the early stages.

Jayden Luker went close for the visitors to Kingsmeadow, but his shot was saved well by Eddie Beach. At the other end, Josh Brooking fizzed in a teasing cross that didn't get the touch required to divert it into the net.

Finding our groove

In his first start for the Under-21s, summer signing Deivid Washington came close to getting off the mark for Chelsea. The Brazilian did well to find space on the edge of the area and his curled effort went just wide of the post.

Chelsea continued to probe in the Luton half and, with 15 minutes remaining of the opening period, we took the lead through Castledine, whose header into the ground beat the Hatters goalkeeper.

Our lead was quickly doubled as Williams burst forward from defence, moved into the box, and finished beyond past Horlick.

It was almost three as a perfect cross from Williams found the outstretched leg of Castledine. However, Horlick quickly readjusted his feet and was able to produce a fine stop to push the ball to safety.

Deep into first-half stoppage time, the Hatters pulled a goal back; a shot from Marcus Daws deflected off Alfie Gilchrist and beat Beach at his near post.

The late show

There were fewer chances in the second half as both attacks lacked the incisiveness and invention displayed in the opening 45 minutes. That was until the latter stages, though, as Chelsea made the scoreline emphatic.

Castledine grabbed his second of the game with another header, this time from a Williams corner, and there was a maiden Under-21s goal for George.

The 17-year-old was given too much time on the edge of the penalty area by the Luton defence and he was able to find the net. It was a well-taken strike and rounded off the scoring.

What's next?

Our Under-21s continue their Premier League campaign on Fridayas they travel to Manchester City. The is match scheduled for 7pm kick-off.

Chelsea (3-4-1-2): Eddie Beach; Josh Brooking; Alfie Gilchrist (c), Dylan Williams; Somto Boniface; Reiss Denny, Alex Matos (Billy Gee, 87), Zain Silcott-Duberry (Harrison Murray-Campbell 71); Leo Castledine; Deivid Washington (Donnell McNeilly 62), Ronnie Stutter (Tyrique George 71).

Unusedsubs: Max Merrick.

Booked: Beach 4; Washington 49; Matos 86.

Scorers: Castledine 30, 89; Dylan Williams 39; George 90+4.

LutonTown (4-3-3): Jameson Horlick; Claude Kayibanda, Joshua Phillips, Axel Piesold, Jack Bateson (c), Joseph Johnson, Jacob Pinnington, Jayden Luker, Millar Matthews-Lewis (Archie Heron 87), Jacob Burger, Marcus Daws (Sam Anderson 13).

Unused subs: Cai Hockey, Benedict Benagr, Christian Chigozie.

Booked: Luker 38; Matthews-Lewis 74.

Scorers: Millar Matthews-Lewis 45+6.