Brett Pitman and Freddie Sears netted a goal in either half for the Blues as Town began their pre-season friendly programme with a 2-1 victory over Dublin side Shelbourne at Tolka Park. Pitman smashed home a 25-yard screamer in the 28th minute, Sears added the second on 62 before Dylan Grimes pulled one back for the home side from the penalty spot with 13 minutes remaining.

Boss Mick McCarthy named a different XI for each half, both a mix of first-team and fringe players.

The Blues dominated the game from the off but without creating an early opportunity. On nine Teddy Bishop made a mazy run across the area but was unable to get a shot in on goal.

Two minutes later, Bishop played a clever one-two with Irish U18 international Shane McLoughlin inside the area and stabbed goalwards but the ball caught a defender and deflected wide.

From the resultant corner, the ball was cleared to the edge of the box from where Bishop headed back just past Shelbourne keeper Greg Murray’s right post.

On 21 Kevin Bru sent a high ball into the area from deep which Pitman nodded over the keeper but wide.

Town continued to have the upper hand and in the 28th minute they went in front. Bishop fed Pitman 25 yards out just to the right and last season’s 11-goal top scorer smashed a superb strike beyond keeper Murray’s right hand and into the net.

Three minutes later the former AFC Bournemouth man turned a low Bishop freekick in from the right over the bar from the edge of the box.

There were no further chances before the end of a half which the Blues had unsurprisingly dominated. Town had created one or two chances in addition to Pitman’s excellent strike with Bishop creating most of the danger.

The Blues will switch their entire XI for the second half but with David McGoldrick not involved, presumably having suffered a knock during training at Carton House during the week.

Nine minutes after the restart Freddie Sears played in Ben Morris on the left of the area following a quickly-taken Town freekick but the 17-year-old striker’s shot was blocked.

A minute later, Andre Dozzell deftly threaded in Sears but the former Colchester man stood on the ball.

Town doubled their lead with their first real chance of the second half in the 62nd minute. Shelbourne failed to deal with a cross in from the right, Morris tried to find space to shoot but instead fed Sears to his right, who hit a low shot into the net.

Five minutes Cameron Stewart sent Sears clear in space on the right but Shels keeper Greg Murray quickly came off his line to block. From the resultant corner, Jonathan Douglas’s header was blocked.

In the 73rd minute, Stewart went close from distance but his shot flew just over the bar.

Four minutes later, the home side pulled a goal back from the penalty spot when Tommy Smith was somewhat harshly adjudged to have handled Nial O’Neill’s cross. Dylan Grimes sent Bartosz Bialkowski the wrong way to register the home side’s first goal in Town’s four visits to Tolka Park.

As the game moved into its final minutes Monty Paterson, on as a late sub, smashed a shot against a defender.

The Blues were more dominant than the scoreline would suggest, having several other decent opportunities, while Shelbourne’s penalty was their only shot on target.

However, results and scorelines are far from the primary concern during pre-season and manager McCarthy will be pleased to see his players get 45 minutes under their belts. Town are next in action at Barnet at Wednesday.

First-half team: Gerken, Chambers, Robinson, Digby, Berra, Bishop, Skuse, Bru, McDonnell, Pitman, McLoughlin.

Second-half team: Bialkowski, Emmanuel, Malarczyk, T Smith, Knudsen, Dozzell (Blanchfield 81), Hyam, Douglas, Stewart, Sears, Morris (Paterson 81).

Photo: Action Images

kilkmilk added 16:59 - Jul 9 A promising start...
3

miltonsnephew added 17:03 - Jul 9 Sounds like Stewart did ok, could be promising!!!
2

bluehook added 17:15 - Jul 9 Wonder why Dozzell and Morris were taken off so soon after only 30 odd mins?
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JimmyJazz added 17:21 - Jul 9 Bluehook, probably so the other 2 guys got some game time
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parkinshair added 17:24 - Jul 9 McGoldrick injured again. So it goes on. People who think he will be like a new signing for us are deluded, I've seen more robust cut glass chandeliers. A handy player when fit. There lies the problem.
10

BrettenhamBlue added 17:50 - Jul 9 Shelbourne should feel massively proud of this result. A friend of mine supports Falkirk ((Scottish Championship) and they played at Shelbourne last Saturday and won 3-0 with over 80 percent possession. Sounds like the game against us was much more competitive. If you read this Mark I hope Falkirk stay up this season! (Know you are worried about relegation).
3

Seasider added 17:55 - Jul 9 Pleased that both Malarczyk and Stewart both stayed on for the whole of 2nd half,together with Emmanuel at right back.
0

thebeat added 17:57 - Jul 9 Chambers at rightback and Bishop on the right wing. If thats a sign of things to come then we are in for another slog of a season im afraid.
13

dubblue added 17:57 - Jul 9 Shelbourne was resolute in defence but did not pose a threat up front, I don't think Dean or Bart had a serious safe to make. the penalty was harsh but well taken. Town's first goal rightly described as a screamer, Freddie's came at the end of some nice play. Hard to know what to make of the friendly, Shels are no great shakes being mid-way in the League of Ireland's second tier. Certainly the result was not as comprehensive as previous visits but town played some nice football. Bishop was noteworthy in the first half. Knudsen and Sears played well in the second half. Lot's of Town fans at the match but the biggest noise came from a group of French visitors no doubt getting ready for tomorrow night. As for McGoldrick ..............

2

dubblue added 17:59 - Jul 9 As for McGoldrick maybe he was allowed go to the Rhianna concert at nearby Croke Park, might be more reassuring than hearing he's injured again!!
4

planetblue_2011 added 18:32 - Jul 9 Sounds like a good start, seems like we out played them at times. What is wrong with McGoldrick now, he's never gonna be the same player is he? Another Kieron Dyer, sorry Kieron!! Well done tho town good start
1

jas0999 added 18:56 - Jul 9 Big win last year, narrow win this. That said result irrelevant to an extent it's a good work out. However, dominating without creating clear chances was the problem last season. Sounds like this was again a problem. The squad failed to achieve top six last season. It is currently considerably weaker with a deficit of seven players. Unless we sign some quality, it's difficult to see us challenging this. Still much to do.

7

Kirbmeister added 19:09 - Jul 9 Afraid we won't be signing any quality. The decent players that are available will be attracted to clubs much richer than us. That's the reality so I'm prepared for another slog ahead.
5

Kirbmeister added 19:10 - Jul 9 Afraid we won't be signing any quality. The decent players that are available will be attracted to clubs much richer than us. That's the reality so I'm prepared for another slog ahead.
3

GiveusaWave added 20:19 - Jul 9 In the scheme of things, friendlies are unimportant. Saying that we should have beat them comfortably. We have a couple of players injured: McGoldrick/Coke. Maybe that will make a difference? Malarcyk and Stewart might play a fair few games for us this season. Don't know if that is a good or bad thing. The one time I saw Malarcyk he played well. Not feeling optimistic about our chances at the mo. Hard slog ahead I fear.

1

Daleyitfc added 20:38 - Jul 9 I thought Malarczyk had been disposed of?
2

Dissboyitfc added 21:05 - Jul 9 are squad is so thin we are taking two players who only a short time ago had no future with us. All a bit concerning.
5

Dissboyitfc added 21:08 - Jul 9 our
0

Knightsy added 21:41 - Jul 9 Oh I'm so excited....we're going to win the league. We've won a Friendly
2

runningout added 21:56 - Jul 9 We need additions for sure.. don't like to compare to other Championship teams, but a fair few are putting plenty in the back of the net this pre season... if we don't have the mental ability to be clinical and ruthless, then come May, it will be a sad time once again ...
1

lightingblue added 22:38 - Jul 9 Said from the start we should've sold him to the foxes. Same story I got told why I said it under a different name then. It's o so bring now its unreal. Cameron Stewart still won't make the grade. Bishop will get injured while being played out of position. Same as chambers who fist pumps but is on his last dance saloon. Berra is a donkey at the back, whilst the 2 keepers aren't promotion keepers. Murthy is past his best and a bit part players. Sears won't score 20 goas, pitman is average at best, and bru as the name subjects is best of as the tea boy.

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GiveusaWave added 23:00 - Jul 9 Lightningblue Bart was literally world-class last season, some of the best saves I have ever seen. Unbelievable saves at times.
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hbergdahl added 01:42 - Jul 10 Just got home from day trip from ipswich to watch match. Great support from town fans. Not the best of games but a gd run out for all.
2

KiwiTractor added 03:46 - Jul 10 Nice to see Freddie Sears back on the scoresheet. Very little was said over the second half of last season about his goal drought. I know he was being played out of position and still playing reasonably well, but it sounded like he was still getting chances but just not able to put them away. Would like to see him play down the middle this season - but not expecting it to happen.

1

phillo added 08:38 - Jul 10 Apart from all that lightningblue everything will be fine !!!!
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