Town’s pre-season friendly at Colchester United was abandoned with eight minutes to go at 0-0 after U’s midfielder Andy Bond suffered a facial injury in a collision with his keeper Mark Cousins. Bond required lengthy treatment with the injury considered so severe that an ambulance was brought to the edge of the pitch causing the abandonment, with Bond eventually helped across to it with blood streaming down his face.

The evening had started with boss Paul Jewell handing first starts in a Town shirt to today’s signings Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and David Stockdale, and Ívar Ingimarsson, who is over his thigh strain.

Michael Chopra was fine to start after his minor ankle knock at Southend, while Tamás Priskin was on the bench having missed the visit to Roots Hall. Nathan Ellington missed out with a shoulder injury sustained in training on Monday.

The Blues’ first ever game at the Weston Homes Community Stadium started - 15 minutes late due to crowd congestion with 2,700 Town fans making the short trip - at a frenetic pace but with neither side creating anything significant in front of goal. Carlos Edwards and Lee Martin had crosses from either side cut out as Town had the better of it. New signing Emmanuel-Thomas, who has the longest surname of any player to have featured for the Blues’ first team, was playing just off Chopra.

From an 11th minute Drury corner Tommy Smith’s header was deflected away. Ingimarsson played the ball back out to right wideman Drury, whose powerful strike was also blocked.

Grant Leadbitter, again skippering, shot weakly through to Colchester keeper Mark Cousins, then, as the game passed the 15-minute mark, Anthony Wordsworth lashed the home side’s first chance well over after a cross from the left had been allowed to reach him on the edge of the box. On 23 Colchester centre-half Magnus Okuonghae headed straight at Stockdale.

Chances continued to be rare despite the game being played at a decent tempo. Lee Martin’s 36th minute cross from the right was nodded away from Ívar Ingimarsson at the far post, then from the resultant corner, Aaron Cresswell volleyed powerfully but inaccurately.

On 40 Colchester striker Kayode Odejayi, who had just returned from having received stiches to a head wound, left his foot in as Stockdale cleared, referee Darren Deadman choosing not to issue the yellow card which would probably have been shown in a league game.

In the final minute of first half normal time, Cresswell whipped in a cross from the left and Okuonghae headed behind just in front of Emmanuel-Thomas six yards out in front of goal.

Tommy Smith, who ended last season on loan with the U’s, smashed a shot well over, moments before referee Deadman blew his whistle.

Neither side had come that close to scoring at any stage of the half. The Blues had probably had the better of it but with the players’ lack of familiarity evident at times. New boy Emmanuel-Thomas added an aerial physical presence and showed his clever feet on a number of occasions.

Keeper Stockdale had handled confidently but hadn’t been overly tested, while Ingimarsson was an organisational and solid presence at the back and looks a potential candidate for the captain’s armband.

Jewell, who had watched the first half from the stand before making his way down to the dug-out for the second period, swapped Damien Delaney and Josh Carson for Smith and Drury at the break.

Four minutes into the new period, Colchester sub Ashley Vincent laid the ball off to Ian Henderson, who shot straight at Stockdale. Moments later, Vincent sent an effort over from the edge of the box.

Stockdale showed exactly why Jewell has brought him to Portman Road in the 54th minute when Colchester came close to going in front. Lloyd James sent in a corner from the left and Wordsworth powered a header goalwards which the on-loan Fulham man superbly palmed away from goal down to his right.

Luke Hyam replaced Martin on 55, allowing Emmanuel-Thomas to move out wide on the left then eight minutes later Jason Scotland replaced Chopra, who had shown his now usual sharp movement but without having had a chance to add to his goals.

Aaron Cresswell showed off his set piece ability in the 66th minute, hitting a well-struck freekick from the right across the box just beyond his on-rushing team-mates and similarly just wide of the post.

Three minutes later, Tamás Priskin and Mark Kennedy replaced Emmanuel-Thomas and Cresswell, who had put in his most impressive performance for the Blues so far.

The game came to a premature end after a mix-up on the edge of the Colchester area led to Cousins and Andy Bond colliding, the keeper appearing to catch the midfielder in the face with his head as they looked to clear a Town ball over the top which Scotland was chasing.

It was immediately clear that Bond had suffered a bad injury with medical staff quickly being called on to the pitch and with Cousins, who had received a more minor cut, appearing upset by the incident.

After a couple of minutes, there was a PA announcement that the game would be abandoned as an ambulance would have to be driven on to the pitch. A minute or so later, a groggy and bloodied Bond was helped to the side of the pitch and into the ambulance as the rest of the players made their way to the tunnel with some sections of the Town support booing and clearly unhappy at what was an understandable decision by referee Darren Deadman.

It was an unfortunate end to a friendly which looked as if it would have ended 0-0 in any case with the two sides creating only one significant chance, Wordsworth’s header which Stockdale saved brilliantly to his right, the game’s one moment of real quality.

Town will feel disappointed at having failed to test Cousins and that another pre-season game against lower league opposition has ended — albeit prematurely — without them being able to illustrate their divisional superiority in terms of the result.

Town: Stockdale, Edwards, Cresswell (Kennedy 69), Ingimarsson, Smith (Delaney 46), Leadbitter (Healy 73), Drury (Carson 46), Bowyer, Emmanuel-Thomas (Priskin 69), Chopra (Scotland 63), Martin (Hyam 55). Unused: Ainsley, Fülöp.

Colchester: Cousins, Rose, Okuonghae, Heath (Bond 56), O’Toole, Izzet (Baldwin 56), Odejayi (Vincent 46), Henderson, Wordsworth, James, White (Duguid 56). Unused: Eastman, Coker, Arnott, Hamilton, Bender, Pentney. Referee: Darren Deadman. Att: 6,268 (Town: 2,700).

Photo: Action Images

TractorCam added 22:10 - Jul 26 Looking at the writing in bold, i cannot see how our fans can sing chants about money.
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Umros added 22:11 - Jul 26 Hmmm.
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Jack_hughes2 added 22:14 - Jul 26 No need to worry about our 'league superiority', it takes time for new signings to gel as a unit, more time in training and the fixture against wolves, possibly a few league games in and the quality is going to shine through!
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GTRKing added 22:15 - Jul 26 Ok game. Stockdale was really good JET Showed some good points chopra poor scotland ok creswell good ingimarson ok. Lets do better.
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jas0999 added 22:18 - Jul 26 Firstly and more importantly, all the best to the Colchester player. However, yet another disappointing showing and as expected people already playing the 'it takes time for players to gel' card. Playing TWO up front would of course help and what a shame PJ is yet again showing his true colours by playing negative tactics. PJ must improve or attendances are likely to drop further - on the whole I doubt a negative one up will be tolerated next season.

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GTRKing added 22:22 - Jul 26 look they do take time to Gel will be ok & we will do well so no need to worry
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Lightningboy added 22:29 - Jul 26 Let's not get too carried away..these recent matches have only been friendlies..the players are building up their fitness..a week on saturday is where it counts. Good work so far PJ & co.
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MattinLondon added 22:32 - Jul 26 Firstly, best wishes to the Col U player jas0999 I don't think that people are as you wisely expected 'already playing the 'it takes time for players to gel' card'. I think that by stating that it takes time to gel as a time is just stating the obvious. I've only play Sunday League football but the principle is the same. When you play with new players you have to get used to your team-mates style. And surely thats the point of friendlies - to get the new players playing well together. Paul inherited an average team and he realised this. Hence why seven players have been brought in. More probably will follow. For the first in a few seasons I am looking forward to seeing the new players as well as the start of the 2011/12 season

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TheMysteryTownFan added 22:33 - Jul 26 Yes, the 4-5-1 formation won't work in the championship this year. In my mind 4-4-2 (basic but effective) is the best way to go. Stockdale in goal, Edwards, Ingimarsson, Delaney and Cresswell in defence, Carson and Martin running down the lines, Bowyer and Leadbitter in the middle and Chops up front with JET just behind him. To me this is good. This is sort of what he played but once they have gelled together it will look better.

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ITFCMonk added 22:35 - Jul 26 The game should never of been abandoned
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h32 added 22:36 - Jul 26 .......... main concern has to be the apparent severe facial injury to Andy Bond - let's hope he is ok, and makes a full and speedy recovery. As for the other - let's get the season started and see then how it all shapes up then !! Could be interesting .......... not necessarily in the way we would want it to be though.
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TheWeapon added 22:38 - Jul 26 Early days! Coyb!!
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Wibble1 added 22:39 - Jul 26 Firstly I wish the guy a speedy recovery, Col U looked good, I hope they do well this season. Secondly, I was appauled by the behaviour of some of our fans when the game was abandoned, felt ashamed to be an Ipswich fan. It was totally out of order. Some good passing by town, some not so good! if they can gel I think we have got a good chance.
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paulnstar added 22:40 - Jul 26 for all you optimists who are dancing from the rooftops about all towns new signings town were crap tonite chopra did sod all jet did f all and but stockdale pulled off a worldy from wordsworth dont think dracula will play for town much now jewell should sign okuonghae and o toole they were very impressive for col u ,if we cant break colchester down wot will they do in championship

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h32 added 22:41 - Jul 26 ............. anyone who continues to support a 'one up front' system obviously has money to throw away - and really cannot expect much in terms of success either, but will still be satisfied whatever .............
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OsborneOneNil added 22:42 - Jul 26 Leadbitter & Bowyer in the middle together, no good. Need some creativity.
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h32 added 22:46 - Jul 26 ITFCMonk - what a pathetically sad comment from you, when someone is seriously injured. Words fail me.
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phumph added 22:47 - Jul 26 My main concern is we're not creating chances. Not one shot on target in the 80 min played. Cresswell looked solid and very comfortable going forward. JET showed glimpses of his quality with a few nice touches and Stockdale also looked comfortable. (Also showed he can kick a rolling ball). But still no real creation from the midfield. With only one more friendly to go before the season starts, there is still alot of work to be done.

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GTRKing added 22:47 - Jul 26 All the Best for the Col player. Can't wait for start of season
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robdaful added 22:51 - Jul 26 I was there and I was shocked at the accident and I agreed it should have been abandond. But when he got up and walked off I will admit I thought they were cheating. We couldn't see the blood from the stands. Thanks for the report
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robdaful added 22:51 - Jul 26 I was there and I was shocked at the accident and I agreed it should have been abandond. But when he got up and walked off I will admit I thought they were cheating. We couldn't see the blood from the stands. Thanks for the report
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Dissboyitfc added 22:53 - Jul 26 itfcmonk, pathetic . who agrees with me? we should have the most pathetic post of the day competition, the winner being banned from the site for a month. And todays winner is surely itfcmonk...best wishes go out to andy bond for a speedy recovery....
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Tractorog added 22:53 - Jul 26 I hope Bond is ok. As for playing 4-5-1 or more accurately 4-4-1-1 you should take a look at most premiership matches. Those that say PJ is a negative manager are not looking at his career to date. He had a reputation for setting up teams prior to us for playing fast counter attacking football through midfield wingers in a 4-4-2. He was criticised for not being defensive enough by fans of most of his past clubs. it sounds like the new Iceman is the sort of player we need at the back if he can stay fit. If it will take time for us to gel. I wonder how long it will take Leceister to gel?

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GTRKing added 22:56 - Jul 26 we will gel soon so don't worry
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foster added 23:02 - Jul 26 f**k off no way was it the right decision th player got up 2 mins afterwards and he was fine. plus jewell sort em out we were crap tonight . stockdale-played well made a great save in second half edwards-played well looked pritty solid ingimarson-was alright smith-he was a bit all over the place cresswell-man of the match deffo he was solid at the back and looked good going forwards martin-ok but he was a bit quiet bowyer-exspected nore leadbitter-was very quiet no spark about him all he did was lump it up the pitch to jet drury-looked slow and not really that interested jet-was s**t but will get better chopra-didnt really do enything

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