Anthony Wordsworth netted a final minute winner as the Blues beat Southend 2-1 at Roots Hall in their penultimate pre-season friendly. Trialist Balint Bajner had put Town ahead just before the hour mark with Myles Weston equalising for the home side. Late on, David McGoldrick made his long-awaited return from injury.

Bartosz Bialkowski started in goal with skipper Luke Chambers at right-back, Tyrone Mings on the left and Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra at the heart of the defence.

In central midfield, Cole Skuse partnered Luke Hyam with Jay Tabb back from his minor niggle on the left and Paul Anderson on the right. Frank Nouble and Daryl Murphy began the game up front.

Returning striker McGoldrick was named on the bench, while trialists Bajner and Kevin Bru were also amongst the subs. Southend, who play QPR tomorrow, included eight trialists in their squad.

Shrimpers legend Freddy Eastwood took the kick-off, having left the club over the summer with his retirement due to ongoing knee problems expected, but made way soon afterwards.

Nouble struck the game’s first serious shot in the sixth minute from just inside the box but Southend keeper Paul Smith blocked.

Chances were rare after that with neither side able to carve out a significant opportunity with the ball appearing to get caught in the less than closely cut surface. All too many final balls were under or over-hit at both ends, although Town had the greater share of the ball.

On 25 Kevan Hurst crossed from the Southend right and Lee Barnard flicked a header just over the bar.

A promising 38th minute Town move down the left involving Murphy and Mings ended with a Nouble shot hitting a defender, then soon after Skuse mis-hit a volley wide.

There was a scare for the home side just before the break when keeper Paul Smith hammered a clearance against Nouble but the ball rebounded straight into his arms.

Soon after referee Pat Miller brought a less than inspiring half to an end with neither side particularly looking like breaking the deadlock.

Town had had more of the ball but had threatened only very occasionally, Nouble’s early low shot and late inadvertent effort the best of the chances.

The Blues made seven changes at the break, Jonny Parr, Elliott Hewitt, Anthony Wordsworth, Kevin Bru, Cameron Stewart, Balint Bajner and Jack Marriott replacing Mings, Chambers, Skuse, Hyam, Anderson, Murphy and Nouble. Trialists Bru and Bajner wore the shirts listed under each other’s name on the teamsheet.

Hurst hit an early second-half freekick into the wall for the Shrimpers, Ross Jenkins, one of four half-time substitutions, sending the loose ball well wide.

The game finally came to life in the 58th minute when the Blues went in front. A Stewart cross from the right was only half-cleared and trialist striker Bajner deftly placed a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box before celebrating in front of the travelling Town support.

Paul Taylor replaced Tabb in the 65th minute, then in the 73rd minute David McGoldrick made his long-awaited comeback after injury. Ted Bishop, Matt Clarke and Alex Henshall also came on with Smith, Bru, Stewart and Marriott making way.

A minute later, while the Blues adjusted to the changes, the home side got back on terms. David Worrall cut the ball back from the right and sub Weston beat Bialkowski down to his right to record the first goal scored against Town in pre-season.

Southend came close to going in front in the 82nd minute when a freekick on the left was played to trialist Patrick Cregg, who curled a shot which Bialkowski did well to save to his left.

McGoldrick quickly got into the game, playing a delightful cross-field ball before forcing Southend sub keeper Ted Smith to block a 30-yard drive. As the game moved into its final two minutes striker scuffed another effort through to the keeper.

In the final minute Town won it. Keeper Smith blocked at Bishop’s feet, Wordsworth was first to react, found himself space and slid the ball into the roof of the net. Soon after, referee Miller blew his whistle.

A draw would probably have been a fair result with the game improving slightly after the break following the dismal first half.

Regardless of the result, the highlight for Blues fans was McGoldrick’s comeback with the striker showing a few glimpses of the form which made him such a key player last season.

Town complete their pre-season programme at League One Leyton Orient on Saturday afternoon (KO 3pm).

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c) (Hewitt 46), Mings (Parr 46), Hyam (Bru 46 (Bishop 73)), Smith (Clarke 73), Berra, Anderson (Stewart 46 (Henshall 73)), Skuse (Wordsworth 46), Murphy (Bajner 46), Nouble (Marriott 46 (McGoldrick 73)), Tabb (Taylor 65). Unused: Gerken.

Photo: Action Images

Chicago_Blue added 22:14 - Jul 29 Hyam, Skuse and Tabb all started in midfield eh? Not surprised we were a bit lack lustre. I do love the energy, pace and threat we seem to get from Stewart and Henshall.
24

Bown added 22:14 - Jul 29 well done boys
3

superkevinwilson added 22:15 - Jul 29 Never read to much in friendlys, they are only to help to to get match fit and give the mangers options. Town looked more a threat with second half subs. Great to see mc goldrick back and nocking some good balls about. Still need a few more players to come in. Roll on Fulham.
6

MitchtheITFCman added 22:18 - Jul 29 Unfortunately I think that the team that started the game could be close to the team that will start against Fulham! Sounds like Bru didn't impress. Wonder if either of the two trialists will get a contract. Bajner seems more likely to be offered a deal tho.
1

blueboy1981 added 22:27 - Jul 29 ...... let's hope for a complete transformation when the real business starts - a win is a win, so happy with that but my fear is that we will potentially be as boring as last season with lack of flair, creativity and general nous going forward. Would be VERY pleased to be proved wrong - but too many negative type players in the framework for my liking which leads us to believe that a 0 -0 will be seen as a 'highly successful result' and a single goal win as 'celebration time'. Recognise that style ? Genuinely, and Sincerely hope for more - and I'm proved wrong. First three games will prove a point one way or other.

8

TractorBoy666 added 22:35 - Jul 29 Agree with Chicago blue, where was the lively Henshall or Stewart?? Tabb is not a winger, we have plenty of wide men now to choose from. Good to get another win though, should be doing the confidences good! Pleased McGoldrick is back too, bring on Fulham.
3

mow_the_lawn added 22:37 - Jul 29 Less than half an hour for Bru, is that the end of his trial? Can't do much for confidence coming on as sub then being subbed. Henshall and Stewart will be the difference between us taking the game to teams, instead of trying to grind out results and hanging on.
7

StuartBrett8 added 22:47 - Jul 29 Bajner sounds decent, can't do much more to get a deal?
2

RedReidy added 23:03 - Jul 29 sing up Bajner good to see McGoldrick is back too, bring on Fulham Henshall. is a very good player ipswich ally the way
4

DanLyles added 23:13 - Jul 29 I think we will be able to read more into the starting 11 that face Orient on Saturday. I echo those wishing for Henshall and Stewart to start on the wings. Those two and a fully fit McGoldrick could make us far more entertaining this season. We can still keep it tight at the back with 4 very good defenders and two holding men but achieve a greater balance by playing 3 players who actually run at people, put other teams on the back foot and add a greater goal threat. Playing Tabb on the wing is so negative and predictable. We can't hand teams like Fulham the initiative and have nothing to worry about defensively.

7

Seasider added 23:16 - Jul 29 Agree with all posters on here so far especially Chicago Blue Tractor boy and Blueboy. Surely our manager wont start with the team of 2013/2014 season minus Cressy for league ko,as he did in the first half;because even he couldn't be satisfied with that display;oh but he did mention the long grass!!! Perhaps Tabby and big Frank would have played better if the grass was shorter ? I really hope that Mick will pick a team with more skill speed and verve than he did at the start today;but knowing him most of the players will be same as last year,as he has hinted already.

2

hoppy added 23:19 - Jul 29 mow_the_lawn... Stewart and Marriott had the same amount of time on the pitch as Bru, yet you say Bru's trial must be over because of that, while at the same time proclaiming Stewart as being someone that will be the difference... MM's comments sound as though he's interested in both triallists. Great to hear McGoldrick getting some time on pitch too.. let's hope he can get up to pace quickly without any setbacks.

1

unknown100 added 00:03 - Jul 30 By the sounds of what I've heard and seen, he wants to play 442 and henshall and Stewart need to start on each wing, defense and goalkeeper seem solid enough whoever plays, mcgoldrick is coming back with no problems but still feel we need that xfactor player on the pitch so we have 2 danger men with mcgoldrick or it's easy to mark a man out of the game, personally would love to see a last man striker with a bit of pace (like a decent nouble, he tries but potentially with his physical attributes could do so much more but technically just don't think he will ever be there) perhaps Marriott is the man? I'd like to see it because he keeps scoring at the level he plays so perhaps deserves his chance, I'd still like a bit more creativity centre mid.

1

unknown100 added 00:07 - Jul 30 Midfield and attack we'd like to see? Marriott Henshall Mcgoldrick Stewart Skuse. Hyam
3

Ingleby93 added 00:52 - Jul 30 I'd like to see both trialists get a deal. Think they would give us something different. From what I have seen and heard they both seem pretty decent.
1

BuriramBlues added 03:16 - Jul 30 Jay Tabb what on earth does he give to benefit the team?Still waiting to see,Taxi for Tabb
6

TheSelkirk added 08:19 - Jul 30 Based on last season's showing I will be very disappointed if Jay Tabb plays any part in this season's campaign. He really was very poor and we do seem to have far better options available to us.
4

Surco72 added 08:31 - Jul 30 Why start Tabb and Nouble in a friendly we have seen enough of them surely give the people on the fringes more game time to prove themselves . Oh they cant because you already know your starting line up MM . 4 big defenders , 2 defensive central midfielders , 2 wide men who work hard at defense first and tuck in and two big forwards for us to hoof the ball towards . Hope you prove me wrong MM but really cant see it changing after 20 years , hard to beat with not enough class to break down the big boys , who there are more of this season - mid table with this squad and style of play

5

ArnieMsBigToe added 08:42 - Jul 30 Interesting comments. It's a pity about Jay Tabb. He seemed really good when he played for Reading. It's also a pity about Nouble. You couldn't say that he's not able to hit a barn door. It seems as though that's all he could hit. . . even if it was open. Bajner sounds interesting. I agree with other posters on here. I am a bit worried that MM will go with the safe option. Not long now though . . . . COYB!!

2

gibbo added 09:17 - Jul 30 To be fair to tabb he plays a lot better in the middle then he does out wide.
0

Langdon_Blue added 09:25 - Jul 30 Really impressed with Elliott Hewitt last night. I know it's only a friendly / Southend etc but he looked very confident on the ball and liked to get forward and put some dangerous crosses in. Parr was also very strong in the left back position and Hyam also looked like he had put a bit of muscle on and was very strong in his tackling. Not a bad work out.
1

RedReidy added 09:49 - Jul 30 a good work out for the team tabb is so bad Elliott Hewitt was really impressed Parr was also very strong in the left back jack Marriott is a so good player i like he a lot
2

Pilgrimblue added 10:13 - Jul 30 Ignore the comments from those who didn't go last night, this was a work out for the whole squad which I and my two grandsons enjoyed. First half was uneventful (on very strange pitch which slopes off severely at the sides!) except for Frank and Tabb show down the left with Mings showing good attacking threat. So apart from Frank's efforts there wasn't much going on. Our defence looked solid and Hyam put in good strong performance. Still don't like Tabb though! However, second half was much better. Stewart was causing lots of trouble but couldn't see who number 13 was as he looked good too. Bajner certainly is a good prospect and took his goal very well and could have scored more. Parr was quick and covered well, perhaps better defensively than Mings. It was great to see McGoldrick and while he may not be match fit, he looked as though it wont be long before he is. Marriot didn't seem to do much and Taylor wasted quite a few chances. Still a good game worth the trip

4

dubblue added 10:33 - Jul 30 Some positives - McGoldrick is back, Bajner and Parr look useful additions if the former is kept. A lot of negativity in relation to Tabb surely we should give him more playing a more central role? That is surely the purpose of these friendlies! How did Bialkowski do? I assume Gerken's place is not under threat?
0

statto added 10:59 - Jul 30 RedReidy, I hope English is not your first language - or that you are only 6. Tabb is not a wide man really, but gives MM cover all across midfield and gives it his all. In this league you need to be able to scrap it out - it won't be pretty and MM's track record at this level gives us hope for an upwardly looking campaign - couldn't say that under Keano or Jewell. COYB

0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls