Tommy Smith’s first of the season was sandwiched by two own goals as the Blues beat Millwall 3-0 in their first home game of the campaign. After a goalless first hour, Shane Lowry diverted an Aaron Cresswell ball past Lions’ keeper Stephen Bywater in the 63rd minute before Smith powered home a trademark header on 70 and Mark Beevers inadvertently converted an Elliott Hewitt cross with seven minutes left on the clock.

Left-back Cresswell’s return at left-back in place of Tyrone Mings is the only change from the side which faced Reading in last week’s Championship opener at the Madejski Stadium.

Jay Tabb was fine to start despite suffering a shoulder injury in Tuesday’s Capital One Cup defeat at Stevenage.

Millwall included ex-Town loan keeper Bywater from the beginning, while Andy Marshall was on the bench. There was no place in the 18 for Lee Martin, and Liam Trotter missed out having undergone knee surgery earlier in the summer.

Prior to kick-off, as it was the FA’s Sir Bobby Robson Day, there was a minute’s applause to pay tribute to the legendary former Blues boss. A number of Robson’s players had also spoken about Robson on the PA.

Town dominated the early stages and should have gone in front in the fifth minute when David McGoldrick escaped behind the Lions’ backline from Cole Skuse’s pass but took the ball too wide as he tried to take it past Bywater, who stuck out a hand and claimed. The Blues frontman will feel he probably should have scored.

Millwall had more of the game as it moved towards the quarter of an hour mark but without threatening Scott Loach’s goal.

On 17 the Blues went close again, Cresswell sending in a freekick from deep on the right and McGoldrick headed down and just wide at the far post.

The Blues continued to have most of the ball but without really threatening until the 28th minute when Luke Chambers headed a Carlos Edwards corner from the left over from inside the six-yard box when he seemed certain to score.

McGoldrick again went close in the 34th minute when he twisted and turned his way past two Millwall defenders on the Town right before hitting a shot which deflected past the post and beyond Daryl Murphy.

A minute later, James Henry, the subject of a rebuffed Town offer in the summer of 2012, shot wide of Loach’s right post with the Lions still to test the Blues keeper.

Edwards required treatment for what looked like a two-footed Lowry tackle in the 38th minute, although referee Graham Salisbury disagreed, then a minute later Shaun Derry got his name in Salisbury’s book for a foul on Tabb, having previously been spoken to by the official after a clash with Skuse.

The Lions were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men in the 45th minute when Chambers was clearly caught in the face by a flailing Steve Morison arm as the pair prepared to challenge for a ball from deep. Referee Salisbury was evidently in a very lenient mood and showed only a yellow card.

Just before half-time, Edwards fed Hewitt on the right but his cross was cut out just ahead of Murphy.

Town had had more than enough chances to be ahead at the break with McGoldrick and Chambers both likely to have been thinking that they should have been on the scoresheet as they made their way down the tunnel.

Overall it had been a very scrappy half with Millwall showing little attacking endeavour and appearing there for the taking.

There was danger in the Blues penalty area two minutes into the second period when Richard Chaplow crossed from the left and the ball deflected across the six-yard box, fortunately ahead of Morison. At the other end, Murphy cut in from the left but his low cross was put behind.

After Hewitt had crossed onto the roof of the Millwall net, McGoldrick played a ball in behind Dan Shittu for Murphy but the Nigerian defender did well to get back to tackle, referee Salisbury surprisingly awarding a goalkick.

Millwall, who had shown rather more attacking ambition since the break, came close to going in front in the 57th minute when Derry crossed from the right and Chaplow headed wide at the near post.

The Lions threatened to go ahead a minute later when Henry beat Cresswell and crossed to the far post, but fortunately for Town just beyond Chaplow.

Hyam shot over after a Hewitt long throw was cleared to the edge of the box as game moved towards the hour mark with the Blues starting to get back on top.

And a minute later, they went in front. Cresswell beat Jack Smith down the Town left and sent over a low ball, which a diving Bywater palmed on to Lowry, who was unable to avoid bundling the ball over his own goal-line.

Soon after, Town switched Tabb and Edwards for Paul Anderson and debutant Ryan Tunnicliffe.

Loach saved from Chaplow in the 66th minute but with the flag already raised, then Millwall sub Jermaine Easter left Cresswell in a heap in the centre circle well after the ball had gone. Referee Salisbury and his linesman both missed the incident much to the annoyance of the Town players and management with assistant boss Terry Connor remonstrating with the Lions’ bench.

Moments later Easter claimed a penalty after going to ground inside the box but after little if any contact from Cresswell.

Town made it 2-0 in the 70th minute. Anderson sent over a freekick from the right and Tommy Smith rose above Shittu to power a header into the roof of the net from six yards out.

Tunnicliffe wasn’t far from a debut goal in the 78th minute when played in on the left by a McGoldrick flick. The on-loan Manchester United man’s strike was deflected wide off Shittu. The midfielder hit another effort after the resultant corner but failed to significantly test Bywater.

In the 83rd minute it was 3-0. Hewitt crossed from the right, Anderson stooped to head goalwards and may have got a touch but Millwall defender Mark Beevers behind him inadvertently added the final touch.

Christophe Berra replaced Cresswell for the final five minutes, Tommy Smith moving to left-back, before Lions sub Scott McDonald forced Loach to save down to his left after doing well to latch on to a ball over the top. Henry lashed the loose ball over.

Town should have made it 4-0 in the 87th minute when Murphy played in Tunnicliffe but the loanee was thwarted by Bywater. Moments later, Hewitt was booked.

Overall, there was little doubt that Town were the better side. There was only one team which seemed interested in winning the match in the first half, although the visitors showed more intent in the early stages after the break.

The Blues may have had some good fortune with two of their goals, but over the 90 minutes they created — but failed to take — plenty of chances.

After two defeats in the opening two games manager Mick McCarthy will be delighted to win so comfortably and get some points on the board.

Town: Loach, Hewitt, Chambers, Smith, Cresswell (Berra 85), Edwards (Anderson 63), Skuse, Hyam (Tunnicliffe 63), Tabb, Murphy, McGoldrick. Unused: Gerken, Veseli, Berra, Taylor, Nouble.

Millwall: Bywater, Smith, Lowry, Shittu, Beevers, Derry, Bailey, Chaplow (Feeney 66), Henry, Keogh (Easter 53), Morison (McDonald 72). Unused: Marshall, Dunne, Robinson, Abdou. Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancashire). Att: 17,183 (Millwall: 935).

Photo: Action Images

halsteadblue added 20:41 - Aug 10 disappointing attendance today esp for sir bobby r.i.p.......seriously need to look at ticket prices to try to attract the supporters back to portman road for our promotion push this season,i know its the holiday season but 17000?...coyb........
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CornardBlue added 21:29 - Aug 10 Thought we played really well today against a very intimidating Millwall team, how the ref missed some of there two footed tackles I will never know.
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Sospiri added 21:42 - Aug 10 The first half today was pretty dull, just long balls from both teams. Suits Murphy just fine, but McGoldrick, while he is great on the ground, is pretty hopeless in the air, and only won one header all afternoon. What Mick will do if Murphy gets injured I don't know, as we have no other target man to suit Mick's style of play. I can't see Taylor or Nouble filling that role. Maybe we would have to start playing it on the ground to the forwards, good heavens! The defense were great today, I don't think Smith and Chambers lost a single battle. Tunnicliffe looked solid when he came on, but he isn't a winger. He'll be better in central midfield. Really fluffed his one-on-one though! But Skuse was MotM for me - calm, bringing the ball down, playing on the ground, as well as chasing and hassling and competing well in the air. To be honest though, Milwall were very poor. I don't recall an effort on target. I was impressed with Loach's kicking too, from ground or drop kicks. Overall, a very comfortable win after a rather nervy first half. Onwards and upwards.

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Keaneish added 21:49 - Aug 10 Although our attendance was abysmally low for the first game at home, that has to be the worst Millwall representation I've ever seen at PR. are the natives unhappy with an ex-hammer in charge!?
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stokeholyted added 21:53 - Aug 10 McGoldrick still looks a class act.
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BuckieBlue added 22:14 - Aug 10 Good time to be going to Loftus Road, pressure off us having got a win behind us and they're still finding their feet (although I'm not convinced that they're going to be that brilliant this seaon anyway).
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sirmichealmills added 22:21 - Aug 10 What's the surprise over the attendance? These people make me laugh, the normal average working class fan (and family) can't afford the prices these days, Im sure theres loads of people that would love to go, take their kids etc but just don't have the cash. Matchday prices are a joke at portman road Working class game Business class prices
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bugledog123 added 22:43 - Aug 10 I agree with previous posts about ticket prices. Why don't they bring down the prices when they know it's not going to be a sell out like today? I also think that many fans are on holiday and also Millwall is not exactly a 'family' game judging by past experience. COYB!
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BlueMachines added 00:09 - Aug 11 Hyam and Skuse are too similar. We played better after the subs were made by MM. Good result but against a very poor side. Shittu was a clown in defence. Hate players like him. Made 3-0 even sweeter.
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Keaneish added 06:38 - Aug 11 Sirmichaelmills - it was £21 an adult ticket for the lower stand North....and £5.50 a child in the lower stand north family area. Even with 3 kids that's only £36.50... The UK average hourly rate is £12.50 an hour... You telling me that's beyond a 'working class' pay packet!?
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BrandonsBlues added 07:40 - Aug 11 Looks like a reverse of the last two games. Poor first half, beter second. Millwall were poor, and two lucky own goals. Tommy's header brilliant. Still work to do, especially if this was better opposition. To many lonmg balls for my liking. QPR will be another hard game next week, and to get into the top 6 we need to play a lot better then we have been so far.
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sirmichealmills added 08:44 - Aug 11 Uk average is 12.50 an hour? What about people on 6-7 quid an hour, minimum wage? I don't know what you do for a living, " only 36.50 "... That's a weeks shopping for some. Are you a Tory mp?
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Stato added 09:37 - Aug 11 Without getting too patronising about the rules of supply and demand there is a potential downside to dropping ticket prices and can result in lower gross revenues. Brighton had nearly 10,000 bigger gate than us and there is an element of self-fulfilling prophecy in the relationship between gate revenues and player budget. Whether you think prices are too high or not 17,000 for first home game at at Ipswich Town is disappointing (I was hoping for 22,000) especially considering the excellent numbers that went to Reading and the fact that there was a steady upward trend in home attendances at the back end of last season.

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Keaneish added 09:57 - Aug 11 Still under a days wage to take 4 people to football. Town are no way near the most expensive in the division. Anyone else feel PR is priced too high at the moment? I think it's reasonable compared to some Championship grounds.
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Dissboyitfc added 11:19 - Aug 11 Great result and much needed to start the season. There were many positives today, skuse looks a very good signing, anderson looks good. the defence is looking good although only seen them against a poor millwall side, who did have their chances and should have done better with those chances. Great to see cressy back, Its all very early days, but i am very concerned where the goals are going to come from? McGoldrick looks a very good player with the ball at his feet, but totally woeful in the air, didnt win a header all afternoon in fact he even missed the free headers by a foot or so, in my books that make s him half a player. and you couldnt play him beside taylor you need someone to win headers up front as especially we will i fear be playing lots of long ball stuff under MM. But finishing on a high, was great to be back at PR, three points and a clean sheet.....COYB

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sirmichealmills added 13:48 - Aug 11 Leeds united at home 32.00 quid, bobby robson lower, single adult....is anyone really telling me that's "reasonable" P.s all the MPs, House of Lords, chief executives on here etc dont count.
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sirmichealmills added 13:52 - Aug 11 The Ipswich Town Independent Supporters Trust is calling on the football club to explain the thinking behind its new ticket pricing and ticket sales structure, amidst fears that the club may be missing an opportunity to capitalise on the pre-season optimism generated by Mick McCarthy's new signings, and may instead be excluding some supporters from Portman Road rather than encouraging them to attend. Town's pricing structure for the 2013/14 season sees significant increases on last season's matchday prices, along with a continuation of the “grading” scheme for different categories of fixture. Additionally, the facility to buy tickets over the telephone has been withdrawn, a move which has seen some Club staff being made redundant. Alasdair Ross, chair of the Independent Supporters Trust Board, said: “Supporters understand that the club needs to make as much money as it can, but it's saddening to read that the club is saving money by making staff redundant, whilst increasing ticket costs for matchday supporters and reducing the level of customer service by removing telephone sales. “The high cost of matchday tickets at Portman Road means that many supporters, who perhaps can't afford to commit to a season ticket but still want to support their team as often as they can, are put off from attending. The ‘grading' structure complicates things further — we believe that this is unnecessary in a division with few ‘big' teams in it and no local derby fixtures for Ipswich. “Additionally, making tickets available only to personal callers or online sales will make it yet more difficult for supporters who don't have easy access to a computer — a number which is relatively high in rural Suffolk — to get tickets for games. The website itself has some limitations in terms of flexibility and choice of tickets, despite the fact that it adds a ‘web sales fee' onto the cost of the tickets. “Going to football is a habit and Ipswich Town should be doing everything it can to encourage local people to get into that habit at Portman Road. Sadly, we feel that these recent developments will only serve to exclude and alienate potential supporters. The club needs to consider its pricing model not only in terms of the current balance sheet, but also with a view to the long-term — if people are put off from attending matches now, how much future revenue might the club be losing?”

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sirmichealmills added 13:58 - Aug 11 Altogether now :- there here, there their, their every f@&king where...empty seats, empty seats
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BerlinBlue added 14:19 - Aug 11 To add to the ticket price debate, it's quite clear to me that they are astronomically high at PR, and in English football in general. I don't get to go to many games due to living abroad, however when I can I still hesitate about paying nearly 30 quid, although I always do in the end. Football clubs rip their fans off, plain and simple, and I can't see a change any time soon.

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ONENIL78 added 14:57 - Aug 11 hmmmm....£12.50p/h....im on 7ph before tax,I will have to spend about 1/2 days wages to see the leeds match not to mention all other costs.
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ChrisFelix added 18:10 - Aug 11 It amazes me how the officials fail to spot the blatant holding & wrestling on Murphy yesterday. Thought that the substitutions of Anderson & Tunnicliffe made us look a better team. Edwards is now past his sell by date but whilst he holds the captains armband I suppose he has to play
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Keaneish added 19:29 - Aug 11 Have to agree with you all on that front. £32.50 for Leeds is ridiculous. You'll naturally get a good atmosphere with the Leeds fans but is that really a justification for an £11 hike? Not really. All matches should be the same cost. There's no reason to up costs based on an opponents name or stature... ...saying that, didn't Bournemouth sell out at £50 a ticket to watch Real Madrid!? Middlesbrough £28.50 Leeds £32.50 Yeovil £21 Millwall £21 Don't really understand what one club offers compared to another!?

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purplealien added 19:56 - Aug 11 I live on the South coast (within walking distance of the Amex stadium). I have a busy life (demanding job and 3 children) and visiting Portman Road is something I can only find time to do a few times each season. So for me a season ticket is out of the question. Whether or not the price rises are justified, the effect is that I will attend less.
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sirmichealmills added 21:48 - Aug 11 It's the kids really, the supporters of the future. look at all the united/Liverpool/arsenal tops around the local schools, my neighbours little kid thought I supported Chelsea, when I asked why he said "they're the blue ones". Cause for them that's all they see on TV. And football now IS tv, still in my day it was 3.50 to get in with Neil Thompson and Micky bombing down the flanks, kiwomya up front.....(fades out to the love theme from Romeo and Juliet a.k.a the music from radio ones "our tune" with Simon bates............)

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SudburyBlue92 added 08:01 - Aug 12 Brilliant Game!
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