Second half goals from George O'Callaghan, Billy Clarke and Michael Synnott gave the Blues a 3-1 victory at Kettering after going behind during the opening period. Jim Magilton again used virtually all of his squad, making seven changes at the break.

Town fell behind in the 29th minute when former Nottingham Forest striker Craig Westcarr went round Jason De Vos before beating Lewis Price.

The Blues had earlier gone close through Jon Walters and Danny Haynes and the England U19 international ought to have won Town a penalty in the 35th minute, but the somewhat distant referee waved away the appeals.

Just before the break, Walters headed straight at Kettering keeper Nick Bussey, but overall it had been a disappointing half from the Blues.

Much-changed Town were much better in the second half and the equaliser came in the 54th minute when George O'Callaghan's mis-hit shot sent both the goalkeeper and a defender on the line in the wrong direction after the Blues had won a succession of corners.

On the hour mark, Matt Richards came close to his second goal in pre-season with a 30-yard cross-shot which keeper Bussey did well to prevent from going in.

Town's second goal came nine minutes later when the again impressive O'Callaghan played the ball wide to Danny Haynes, who crossed for Billy Clarke to smack in from 12 yards.

The third wasn't too much longer in coming, Clarke cutting the ball inside to Michael Synnott who lashed a very powerful low shot into the net, his first goal for the senior side.

O'Callaghan was probably the pick of the Town side with the Blues a much better proposition in the second half. Michael Synnott also did his first team aspirations no harm with his display and a very well taken goal. Hull transfer target Alan Lee had a quiet game, while Owen Garvan drifted in and out of the match.

Gary Roberts came on for the last 25 minutes, having missed the Burton game along with Fabian Wilnis and Richard Naylor, who both managed a half. The game came too soon for Sylvain Legwinski, but the Frenchman, who broke his foot towards the end of last season, is likely to see some action before the end of pre-season.

The Blues were watched by Pablo Couñago, who will put pen to paper on his new contract tomorrow, while players' agent Eric Hall was also amongst those at Rockingham Road.

Town: Price (Supple 46), Wright (Wilnis 46), Harding (Synnott 46), Garvan (Trotter 61), De Vos (Casement 61), Bruce (Naylor 46), Sito (Richards 46), Moore (O'Callaghan 46), Lee (Rhodes 61), Walters (Clarke 61), Haynes (Roberts 70).

Thanks to Timm Rutland from ITFC in the Midlands for the report.

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