Connor Wickham scored twice and David Norris, Gareth McAuley, Lee Martin and Jon Stead once as the Blues beat Histon 6-0 at a very hot Glassworld Stadium. As at Newmarket on Tuesday, Town fielded different sides in each half.

Roy Keane started with the same XI as at Newmarket on Tuesday apart from Connor Wickham taking over from Lee Martin in the same 4-3-3 formation. Wickham was in the centre of the attacking three with Jon Walters on the right and Tamás Priskin on the left. Histon included 12 trialists in their squad and former Blues Antonio Murray and Erkan Okay in their starting line-up.

The game’s first serious goal action was a Gareth McAuley header from a corner, which was deflected over.

Wickham went over, then on 13 Histon keeper Joe Welch was out quickly to claim the ball at Priskin’s feet on the edge of the area.

For the home side, ex-Town academy full-back Erkan Okay sent in a 20th minute cross, which Stutes striker Danny Mills nodded over. Moments later, Damien Delaney fluffed a free header from a corner when he ought to have done better.

The Blues continued to be a threat from corners and on 18 Grant Leadbitter went wide with a shot after Histon had half-cleared.

Okay again beat O’Connor in the 23rd minute and it took a last ditch challenge from McAuley to prevent Mills from having a free shot on goal.

Town finally went in front in the 28th minute when Jon Walters played in David Norris and the midfielder slipped the ball past Welch.

Four minutes later, Priskin played a short pass from the right of the area in to Wickham, who slammed the ball into the roof of the net.

Mills again went close in the 35th minute, having escaped the attentions of the Town defence but shot well wide. Moments later, Wickham’s near post effort was squeezed out for another corner.

On 39 Wickham forced Welch into a fine save with a shot from a tight angle on the left. A minute later, a corner was half-cleared to Leadbitter on the edge of the area. Keeper Welch saved the shot but Gareth McAuley nodded home from six yards.

In the 42nd minute, Connor Wickham made it four after a slip from Gomaz allowed the England U17 international through on goal. The Town number nine rounded the keeper and took the ball wide, but had no problem in finding the net from the tight angle.

Town made 10 changes at the break, Tamás Priskin the only player to escape the cull. The Hungarian was presented with the second half’s first opportunity in the 52nd minute but the Histon keeper was out quickly to clear, the Town striker receiving a boot to the stomach for his trouble.

Just before the hour mark, Priskin missed a gilt-edged chance to make it five when he ballooned over the bar from eight yards from a fine Jon Stead cross. Moments later, the former Watford man was replaced by Luciano Civelli, playing his second half hour since returning from his lengthy injury absence.

Histon should have pulled a goal back in the 70th minute when a cross from the left was nodded back across goal but Zak Atwood scuffed his shot from six yards out.

Town made it five a minute later when Couñago played Civelli in one-on-one with the keeper but the Argentinian unselfishly squared to Lee Martin, who tapped home.

On 79 Carlos Edwards sent in a cross too far ahead of Couñago, then Ainsley passed inside when he should have slipped the ball beyond keeper George Norton, before Jon Stead netted the goal of the night, curling an effort from the edge of the area over the keeper and into the net.

Moments later, Couñago could have made it six, but his touch past Norton was too heavy and the ball went wide.

Arran Lee-Barrett was forced into a save in the 84th minute, sticking out a toe to prevent Diabaka Dylan from netting for the Stutes.

Late on, Martin collided with keeper Norton, who required treatment from a physio who tripped over his bag sending medical paraphernalia flying while running to aid the stricken glovesman, then just before the whistle Healy shot over.

Another comfortable victory for the Blues, who were a better side in the first half than the second, with Wickham perhaps the stand-out performer taking both his chances confidently. The Town defence had one or two concerning moments and would have conceded against a better attack, while Tamás Priskin again failed to impress.

In the second half, Civelli put in a quieter half hour than at Newmarket and no one made a particular impression, aside from Carlos Edwards, who made a bid for right-back role with one or two strong runs forward. Jon Stead’s goal was the half’s moment of genuine quality.

The reserves play a friendly at Hadleigh’s Millfield ground on Saturday afternoon, kick-off 3pm.

Town: Murphy (Lee-Barrett 46), Peters (Edwards 46), O’Connor (Ainsley 46), Leadbitter (Quinn 46), McAuley (Bruce 46), Delaney (Brown 46), Walters (Stead 46), Garvan (Healy 46), Wickham (Couñago 46), Norris (Martin 46), Priskin (Civelli 60).

Photo: Action Images

martleshamitfc added 22:23 - Jul 9 Sounds like a good workout, Connors first two of many this season.
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TrinidadBlue added 22:27 - Jul 9 Carlos Edwards has often served sweet T&T in defence - no reason why he can't do it for Town with equal success. Good to see another successful warm up at Histon.
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wazza added 22:27 - Jul 9 Well said a good work out. Still no action from priskin why is he not listed? Surely can only be because keane signed him.
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CL4CK! added 22:52 - Jul 9 Wickham looked really good for his first game of the season, his finishing was exceptionally composed. BIG season for him coming up.. If we give him the service he can get 20+ Martin absolute toss again but I thought Troy Brown looked really composed. Civelli doesn't 'look' like a footballer.. Can't put my finger on it..
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Lightningboy added 22:55 - Jul 9 ..shame the Histon keeper didn't stick his boot up Priskin's arse instead..might wake him up a bit.
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Mark added 23:01 - Jul 9 Another good pre-season result, well done lads. Garvan must be wondering where he stands. Two starts in two matches, yet slapped on the transfer list and maybe going to Palace if a deal can be done. Meanwhile, Edwards is not transfer listed but is not starting the matches. The squad is looking wafer thin, as highlighted by Garvan and non-performing Priskin being in the first choice 11. I like O'Connor and Peters, but are they solid enough to be in the back four for a Championship season backed up by Edwards and Ainsley?

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Tractorog added 23:04 - Jul 9 Priskin needs a goal to sort out his confidence. How easy do the games have to be for him to score?
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TractorBoyOlly added 23:15 - Jul 9 Pre season results are looking pleasing so far. Would like to see you get at least a draw against psv to test our metal against professional opposition.
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martleshamitfc added 23:16 - Jul 9 I must agree that Priskin is not the answer to our striking problems, he cannot score for toffee and is not the link up partner for Wickham, would much rather keep Stead or even Coungao as experienced players to help Connor. Maybe Edwards could do a good role as full back but prefer Peters. Just wish we could get in a couple of new faces to freshen things up and we could have a decent season.

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WickedBlue added 23:42 - Jul 9 wazza added 22:27 - Jul 9 Well said a good work out. Still no action from priskin why is he not listed? Surely can only be because keane signed him. Did you actually read the report? He set up one of Conners goals......
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devontractorboy added 00:32 - Jul 10 It's the 'work-out' that counts at this stage of pre-season, we won't learn anything until the bigger teams play against us. Still nice to get two big wins, defence sounded a bit wobbly at times though tonight. still think we're 2-3players short in the team and maybe 5-6 in the squad.
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ITFCson added 00:43 - Jul 10 Not a bad run out, but was against a really poor opposition. I like the idea of 3 upfront, just not sure the best 2 to go with Wickham. I actually feel a bit sorry for prisken, he just has no confidence atm, maybe a goal or 2 would give him another lease of life. Keane must be so desperate for him to score, being the only player not substituted at half time, but then he gets a glorious chance in 2nd half and fluffs it. The 2nd half was not so good, was impressed with troy brown and edwards looked good at right back. Really cant believe how much we paid for lee martin!! All in all an enjoyable game....oh and I did win there half-time raffle :p

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ipsuefa added 00:58 - Jul 10 Was at the game and agree with everything ITFCson said and think Troy Brown looked very good in the air and he's not even all that tall, we need more quality beyond the 1st 11 as after that its pretty bleak. 3-4 fresh faces, few injuries during the season and a flying start and could be a good season. 3 big 'ifs' though.
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GeorgiDoundarov added 01:40 - Jul 10 Good workout really. The main points 1. Wickham will be scoring and we should rely on him. 2. Priskin is doing nothing. Why he is not transfer listed? 3. Stead is the best option for Connors partner in the attack until we (if) get a new addition. Hope he stays.
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generalpublic added 03:20 - Jul 10 this is a great result for town. surely now we must be favourites to win the mickey mouse league. the other toytown clubs are going to be terrified when they see our amazing squad with their new numbers on their shirts well done i say to roy keane you make me proud to be a birth child of the glorious ipswich....thak you thank you roy you are a true suffolk legend

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dirtydingusmagee added 08:08 - Jul 10 no real test,but a run out that at least showed that players are becoming aware that the object is to get the ball in the opposition net,[pref more times than opposition get it in ours] and have seemingly located it . Lets hope we can maintain the wins,against stronger teams,and go into the new season with a bit of confidence.Seriouisly think Priskin is baggage though,we realy need to get a couple of new players in but cant see anything to get too excited about happening.Want to be positive but honestly think we are going to struggle again with current set up .

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GoodLuckSmallpiece added 08:45 - Jul 10 Morning GITS (copyright G Smallpiece San Salvador). What are we all worrying about??!! Town are thrashing all-comers! Bring on next season! Message to the deluded about Civelli. He played half a dozen senior games before his injury. In those games he did nothing and showed no particular talent. That was explained away at the time as being the effect of settling into a new country and a tough league. The chances of him contributing significantly in the months ahead are virtually nil (Town fans are familiar with that word). And to the Wickham deluded: a 17-year old, decent player though he be, ain't going to lead the line next season. He'll be a useful sub, playing a few full games. That's all. FORK! POMS! COYB!

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generalpublic added 09:15 - Jul 10 we are not worried just sort of resigned to slight despair with a hint of negative overtones embellished with a squirt of total bang your head against the wallness
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andyitfc added 09:19 - Jul 10 These are only a small workout for the boys, scorin freely though only thing we desperately need is a left back O'Connor isn't good enough he's gettin beaten easily by non-leaguers would rather have the solid David Wright in that position any day of the week
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NW10_Tractor added 10:03 - Jul 10 I was glad to see John "Steed" on the score sheet!
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ChambersM added 10:24 - Jul 10 Keep stead and Pablo, maybe have to whack priskin on the list if he doesn't improve
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jas0999 added 11:17 - Jul 10 A very enjoyable evening out. Also good to see Clegg making the trip down to watch the team play. Roy probably fielded his strongest side in the first half and we looked pretty solid. Wickham looks a different class and the defence looks strong. The only weak links were Garvan (ineffective) and Priskin (who didn't look interested). Second half was not quite as good. Pablo showed some good touches. Stead scored a good goal. I was quite impressed with Troy Brown, but Bruce appeared to be getting a lot of grief from the bench. Good to see Civelli back in the action. I have to say I was hoping that priskin would have a good season, but on last nights showing, there is no chance. Not only did he look lazy, he showed very little at all. He even managed to blaze over from two yards out!

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NW10_Tractor added 11:20 - Jul 10 Second that - Priskin missed an absolute SITTER in the second half after Carlos Edwards licked his man for pace, put in an inch perfect low crossto the feet of Priskin who smashed it high and out the ground on onto the roof of my feckin car!
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SouperJim added 11:24 - Jul 10 Oh look the budgie trolls are now talking with each other out of desperation, bless. They really are obsessed with us aren't they?
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IpswichElvis added 17:47 - Jul 10 Can't believe we only got 6 goals against a team of bricklayers !!!! Keane once may have won the match but yet again, he fails at management.
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