David McGoldrick’s first half goal was enough to give the Blues a 1-0 victory over Barnet in the first game at their new home, The Hive. Earlier, Scott Loach had saved a Mark Byrne penalty.
Trialist Titus Bramble was again included in the Town squad, the ex-Blue taking a place on the bench. Also with the Blues squad was ex-Wolves defender Christophe Berra, who has joined the club on a two-year deal.
There was no place in the travelling party for another of the recent trialists, Tottenham’s Bongani Khumalo, while keeper Dean Gerken missed out with a minor groin injury and winger Paul Anderson with a hamstring problem, but neither is considered a concern for the game at Colchester on Tuesday.
Left-back Aaron Cresswell was back after a thigh problem, while Barnet manager Edgar Davids started for the home side.
Barnet striker Harry Crawford struck the game’s first serious effort in the 14th minute from the edge of the box but Cole Skuse got his head in the way. A minute later, Curtis Weston forced Loach into a block down to his right.
On 19 Murphy hit a shot on the spin from 20 yards which Barnet keeper Graham Stack pushed over the bar.
Jay Tabb and Cresswell combined well on 22 with the left-back sending in a cross which Weston just took away from Hammond. From the corner, Smith headed straight at Barnet keeper Graham Stack.
The home side were handed a golden chance to go in front on the half hour when Keanu Marsh-Brown crossed from the right and Luke Chambers felled Crawford as they went for the ball. Mark Byrne took the spotkick but Loach got down to his right to save.
Town went in front in the 41st minute when David McGoldrick flicked home an Aaron Cresswell freekick from deep on the left. It was the former Forest man’s third goal in pre-season.
The striker almost had a second shortly before the end of the half when he headed Kyle Hammond’s corner into Stack’s arms.
Prior to the goal Barnet had had the better of the chances, although the Blues had had most of the ball.
At the break, the Blues switched Hammond and McGoldrick for Frederic Veseli and Frank Nouble with Elliott Hewitt moving into midfield.
Early on, Murphy saw a shot deflect wide, then after the corner the Irishman shot over, Barnet having failed to clear the initial danger.
On 57 Nouble hit a low effort which deflected through to Stack, then at the other end Sam Cowler was given too much time not far outside the penalty area but shot wide.
Just before the hour mark, right-back Andy Yiadom hit a deflected shot across the face of goal, then Anthony Acheampong shot wide from the resultant corner.
Town nearly went two in front in the 63rd minute when Cresswell whipped in another freekick from the left and Murphy just couldn’t get enough on it at the far post.
With 20 minutes to go, Mick McCarthy brought on Titus Bramble, Luke Hyam and Tyrone Mings for Chambers, Smith and Murphy.
Yiadom forced Loach into a superb save in the 26th minute, the keeper tipping the right-back’s curling 30-yard effort over.
With 10 minutes on the clock, Barnet sub Luisma cut in from the left and Cowler shot wide when he ought to have equalised. Amir Berkane and Josh Carson replaced Cole Skuse and Anthony Wordsworth in the Blues’ midfield.
There were no further chances for either side with the Blues perhaps fortunate on this occasion to run out the victors.
Town: Loach, Hewitt, Chambers (Bramble 70), Smith (Mings 70), Cresswell (October 72), Hammond (Veseli46), Skuse (Berkane 81), Wordsworth Carson 81), Tabb (Lawrence 72), Murphy (Hyam 70), McGoldrick (Nouble 46). Subs: Crowe, Chopra.