A young Town XI recorded a 4-2 victory over AFC Sudbury at the Wardale Williams Stadium on Tuesday evening with Darren McQueen, Jack Marriott, Paul Taylor and Matt Clarke all on the scoresheet. The Blues side included trialists Patrick Antelmi and Richard Bryan.
Free agent Australian Antelmi, 20, who played on the left of midfield despite primarily being a striker, joined Wigan on an 18-month deal last December following his release by Leeds when Charlton, Blackburn and Wolves were also reportedly interested. He was released this summer and recently played for Crawley on trial.
Born in Perth, Antelmi, who is yet to make a first team appearance, was with Portsmouth’s youth set-up prior to his spell at Elland Road.
Central defender Bryan, also a 20-year-old free agent, came through Aston Villa’s academy before being released in the summer of 2012.
A Republic of Ireland international at U16, U17 and U19 levels, Bryan spent time on trial at Leeds last season.
Mark Kennedy's side took the lead after 17 minutes when Marriott forced keeper Alex Archer to produce a good save, but McQueen was quickest to react and slotted the ball home.
Within two minutes the hosts were level when Ryan Henshaw powered Lee Flynn's corner past Michael Crowe.
Marriott put Town back ahead on 56 after finding himself one-on-one with Archer, before Taylor beat a number of Sudbury players and hit a 20-yard shot into the bottom corner seven minutes later.
Within a couple of minutes, skipper Clarke had headed home the fourth from Teddy Bishop's left-sided corner.
The hosts pulled a goal back on 77 when Lawrence Yiga bundled the ball in from close range after Town had failed to deal with Flynn's free-kick.
McQueen thought he'd added another for Town late on with another precise finish, but he was flagged offside and the final whistle came soon after.
Neither Bryan or Antelmi particularly stood out during the first half in front of watching boss Mick McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor and both were replaced at the break.
Transfer-listed Taylor looked lively but appeared to pick up a knock in the second half, while youngsters Bishop and Clarke impressed throughout.
Town XI: Crowe, Robinson, Wyatt, Bru (Willbye 72), Bryan (Sowunmi 46) Clarke, McQueen, Bishop, Marriott (Patterson 78), Taylor (Galvin 66), Antelmi (Lawrence 46). Unused: McDermid. Att: 718.