Lee Bowyer scored his first goal in a Town shirt but Paul Jewell’s men were beaten 2-1 by Wolves in their final pre-season friendly at Portman Road. After an impressive first period, Bowyer put the Blues ahead just before half-time, Stephen Hunt and then a later Sylvan Ebanks-Blake penalty winning it for the visitors after the break.

Blues boss Paul Jewell started six of his new signings with Nathan Ellington amongst the subs. Grant Leadbitter was again given the captaincy, slotting into a five-man midfield with ex-Wolves man Mark Kennedy in the holding role and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas wide on the left.

After a scrappy start in front of a sparse Portman Road crowd, Town carved out the game’s first serious chance in the eighth minute, Michael Chopra turning a Leadbitter pass into Bowyer’s path but Wolves keeper Dorus De Vries was out quickly to gather.

A minute later, Chopra won a corner as he looked to play in Lee Martin on the right of the area, Ívar Ingimarsson heading wide Martin’s cross from the subsequent short corner.

On 20 Adam Hammill curled the visitors’ first shot of the game tamely to David Stockdale with the Blues having had the better of the game, keeping possession but without being able to find the final ball.

A 24th minute Leadbitter pass which would have played in Bowyer was stopped by Ronald Zubar, then Martin cut in from the right and hit a low shot into the sidenetting.

Wolves went close to netting the game’s opening goal in the 28th minute when they had two goes at trying to convert a corner from the left. Stockdale stopped Ebanks-Blake’s header, then Zubar’s follow-up.

The Blues went close themselves in the 35th minute when Emmanuel-Thomas, who had by now switched flanks, used his strength to keep hold of the ball before playing in Town’s other wideman Martin, who screwed his shot wide.

Town deservedly went in front in the 44th minute when, having been found by Cresswell, Martin cut the ball back from the left, Chopra dummied and Bowyer slammed in a low shot as he burst into the area.

Boss Paul Jewell will have been happy with his side’s first half display, the Blues having had the best of an entertaining first 45 minutes, keeping the ball well for the most part and coming close to creating a number of good chances prior to first goal in a Town shirt.

Grant Leadbitter curled a 25-yard freekick wide in on 56 with the second half beginning with neither side making a change.

A minute later, Bowyer almost netted a stunning second, spotting De Vries off his line he unleashed a dipping effort from a matter of feet inside the Wolves half which beat the Dutch keeper but struck the post. Chopra was first to the rebound but scuffed his effort wide.

After Wolves had swapped Zubar, Andy Keogh and Leigh Griffiths for George Elokobi, Michael Kightly and Stephen Hunt, Chopra shot just wide from the edge of the box, then Stockdale did well to save to his right from Nenad Milijas from Ebanks-Blake’s cross from the left.

Stephen Hunt needlessly clattered into Stockdale after the ball had gone on 68 before more substitutions — including the introduction of Town target Richard Stearman - disrupted what had been a very bitty half.

The visitors got back on terms in the 76th minute when Steven Fletcher nodded down a cross from the left and Hunt’s scuffed shot was deflected past the unfortunate Stockdale.

Damien Delaney made a rare foray forward on 79, playing the ball wide to sub Josh Carson, who crossed for Leadbitter whose two shots at goal were both blocked.

At the other end, Michael Kightly’s 81st minute chip from the right beat Stockdale but also the post, however, four minutes later Mick McCarthy’s men were in front.

Ebanks-Blake was bringing the ball back from the byline when he went to ground under pressure from Edwards, referee Darren Deadman, the official who abandoned the midweek game at Colchester, somewhat harshly deeming the contact enough to warrant a penalty. The Wolves striker lashed the kick straight down the middle.

Town never really threatened to get back on terms in the remaining minutes of the game with the by now much-changed side never really settling.

Wolves had had the better of the second half spells between the interruptions for substitutions but the two goals in quick succession were harsh on the Blues, who had been the better side before the break.

Overall, Paul Jewell will probably have been reasonably happy with the performance in his side’s final test before next week’s opener at Bristol City.

Town: Stockdale, Edwards, Cresswell, Ingimarsson, Delaney, Leadbitter (Healy 80), Kennedy (Hyam 80), Bowyer (Drury 80), Emmanuel-Thomas (Carson 70), Chopra (Ellington 80), Martin (Scotland 76). Unused: Fulop, Priskin, Smith.

Wolves: De Vries, Foley (O’Hara 75), Ward (Berra 83), Davis (Elokobi 61), Zubar (Stearman 75), Craddock (Johnson 83), Hammill (Fletcher 70), Milijas (Henry 70), Ebanks-Blake, Keogh (Hunt 61), Griffiths (Kightly 61). Hennessey, Doyle. Referee: Darren Deadman (Essex). Att: 5,904 (Wolves: 329).

Photo: Action Images

Blue_75 added 17:05 - Jul 30 Very impressed with young Cresswell. Thought Lee Martin had a good game too. Bring on the real thing next week!
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ncharles added 17:10 - Jul 30 Crowd of c.5k shows how badly ITFC got it wrong regarding ticket prices. There were two thousand at open day watching training! How can they ask Season Ticket holders to pay again for a friendly.
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Garv added 17:10 - Jul 30 Sounds promising. Wasn't there so can't comment too much. Would have moaned at the often clumsy Carlos Edwards having heard he gave the pen away but after reading this I can predict it was one of those, player feels contact and goes down and as soon as the ref sees him on the floor he has to give it. Referees are a joke these days. Think Bowyer could be an absolute gem of a player for us. Made his name at Leeds for bursting into the box and firing home (countless clips on YouTube) and it sounds like today's goal was familiar. Looking forward to the season!

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SamWhiteUK added 17:13 - Jul 30 Thought Lee Martin and Carlos Edwards were top quality, bowyer brought some much needed experience, and Ingimmarson (?) looked solid. And I must say Phil, I am very impressed with the rate at which this report was uploaded ;)
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Lanky added 17:13 - Jul 30 Promising.
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dreblue added 17:16 - Jul 30 Still concerned that PJ insists on playing 4-5-1. In particularly at home!!! He won't get the best out of chopra or jet. All this formation tells me is that he isn't confident in our defence and is relying on us going ahead and keeping the lead. Which granted I would take if it happened that way but been realistic I know it won't. Can't wait for the season to start!! COYB!!

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WadzillaBhoy added 17:18 - Jul 30 Ipswich are better than everybody
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Tillz9 added 17:21 - Jul 30 Am hoping the 4-5-1 formation is not used at home. Can understand it away from home but agree to get the best out of our strikers 2 up top is the way to go.
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debenturedave added 17:27 - Jul 30 Poor crowd as expected, due to poor pricing policy repeated from last year. Season ticket holders and kids should have been free to create an atmosphere !!!
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comrade_blue added 17:29 - Jul 30 Martin had one of his better games but!!!! Still not a good cross at the end of all his skill, 1st half one good ball and we scored, second half beat about 3 then ignored Leadbitter who was cring out for ball at edge of box, Thought Leadbitter also played well, if he is going to play a deep midfielder rather Hyam than Kennedy
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Trickster added 17:30 - Jul 30 I thought it was more like a 4-3-3, martin and JET playing high up on the wings.
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JBITFC added 17:33 - Jul 30 Agree with dreblue. One up top does not work it just leaves Chopra chasing lost causes and running himself into the ground. First half was ok and as mentioned Martin played well but this was just another example of how we miss Bullards creativity. Still hoping we sign a creative midfielder and cb/rb before the season starts. Come on Jewell son you've done a great job so far, keep it up!

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MathieandMarshall added 17:36 - Jul 30 Pre season is the time to try new systems which may be needed in the campaign ahead. No drama, I'm sure we'll play two up front next week. Agree we need another CB
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GTRKing added 17:37 - Jul 30 Ok game Bowyer was class Cresswell was good Carson ok imgimarson was good lee martin good JET Ok Ledbiter/Delayne was S**t cnt wait for season lol.
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Karlosfandangal added 17:53 - Jul 30 Cant see the point of buying all these strikers and playing one up front Chopra and Jet up front or Ellington if Jet is played on the wing
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 17:56 - Jul 30 PJ - We need to strengthen at the back, do not let Jonathan Spector sign for Birmingham. Get on the phone and get him to come to ITFC.
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Barhamblue added 18:00 - Jul 30 Really enjoyed the game, so many positives, Cresswell, Bowyer, Chops, Ingo and Jet all looking great signing, Grant (yes Grant) looking like a good leader but man of the match (in my opinion) Lee Martin! Can't wait for the real kick off. :-)
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bluelady added 18:02 - Jul 30 Ingermarson very assured, leadbitter better and a couple of good set pieces, jet think there is more to come didn't set world alight, Martin quality if a little selfish, bowyer a good engine but few bad balls, delaney looked better without smith next go him. Creswell looked like he has always been our left back and Edwards was excellent. Desperately need a bullard type player with which today the result would have been very differant, lack that creative spark.

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runningout added 18:15 - Jul 30 Sounds like we are searching hard for positives after defeat to a respect where due but mediocre team in Wolves....Losing to them at Portman Road is shameful. Team needs to take another hard look at themselves, and get clinical
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tsbmumof3 added 18:17 - Jul 30 i fully agree ncharles especially when we also have to pay for carling cup tickets in a weeks time too. £5 a ticket today would have got 10,000 plus crowd i reckon.
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village_blue added 18:26 - Jul 30 Of all the new boy's most disappointing today was Jet.Bowyer looks a better player than Norris who he replaced, Ingarmarrson looked as though he was comfortable on the ball rather than just hoofing it, Cresswell looks like he could be our dead ball specialist, Stockdale looks a solid keeper, Chopra looked lively, but MOM has to be Lee Martin which just shows PJ's man management skills.

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TownOnTheUp added 18:43 - Jul 30 Well, I was there and I was reasonably impressed. Cresswell, Martin, Bowyer, were all very good. Cresswell in particular is a gem. However, JET is a striker, full stop. There's no way he can play out wide from what I saw. Delaney is awful. I couldn't believe what I was watching at times. I've heard the Bambi on ice comparison before, and I can't think of a better one. Edwards is still not a right-back.

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tractorboybig added 19:09 - Jul 30 pre season is just a look at period. but we still seem to have the same problems as previous. loosing to wolces is no disgrace,
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StowTractorBoy added 19:17 - Jul 30 We have to realise that this game is in preparation for next Saturday and I believe the formation he played today will be used at Bristol City. I personally thought Kennedy did a good job in front of the back four and his trusty left food found the flank men on several occasions. I believe Edwards will be our right back and he played very well today as did Ingimarsson and Cresswell. Delaney is getting better with his distribution but we did get a few hoofs from him when required. In my opinion Bowyer was our best all round player today as he worked tirelessly and scored our goal. Martin has vastly improved but the jury is still out for me as he has to sustain his form. Thought we were fine until we made the substitutions and of course this coincided with Wolves putting more of their first choice players on the park. Came away disappointed we had lost but was pleased with the performance which was a huge improvement on the Colcehster display.

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baldman added 19:27 - Jul 30 from what i saw today getting better but we still have the same problem of letting in late goals
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