Bez Lubala scored four goals which included a first-half hat-trick as Wycombe Wanderers thrashed the Brighton & Hove Albion U21s 5-3 in the EFL Trophy.
In what was the Chairboys’ first home match in this competition since playing the young Seagulls in the quarter-finals in last season's edition, Matt Bloomfield’s side were quick out of the traps.
Jasper Pattenden, Matt Butcher and David Wheeler all went close in the opening 10 minutes, before Lubala got his first on 13 minutes.
A long ball over the top by Pattenden was missed by two Brighton defenders, and the ex-Birmingham City man was on hand to fire his shot into the goalkeeper’s bottom left-hand corner.
It was a Wycombe onslaught as Brighton just couldn’t contain the 2024 runners up, and not long after taking the lead, Wanderers got their second of the contest.
On 26 minutes, another error at the back allowed Kieran Sadlier in, and he tucked away his attempt beyond Killian Cahill for his second of the season.
Moments later, it was three as Lubala bagged a brace with a well-taken finish past the young Albion keeper.
He then got his hat-trick with a tap-in from close range after a brilliant ball into the box by Pattenden.
It was the first treble of his career.
Brighton looked at sea but they did managed to get on the scoresheet on the stroke of half-time, as Harry Howell tucked away a penalty, after Cameron Peupi was fouled by Pattenden.
The goals continued into the second period as Lubala smashed home his fourth and Wanderers’ fifth moments after the restart before Howell scored his second penalty of the contest.
His second strike was sandwiched by a well-taken goal from Marcus Ifill.
Up next for the Chairboys is Cambridge United at home on September 21.
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