Dean Bowditch was the star as Town started their pre-season programme with a 3-0 victory over Bury Town at Ram Meadow. The 22-year-old put in a sharp display scoring the first goal, having another disallowed and striking the cross bar.

Bowditch, who signed a new one-year deal last week, hit the woodwork after only two minutes of a game played in difficult sodden conditions throughout, a left-foot shot from a tight angle beating the keeper but bouncing off the bar and out wide to the right.

The former England U19 international had the ball in the net 10 minutes later, but his header from Gary Roberts's left-wing cross was ruled out for a push.

Town unsurprisingly dominated against their non-league opponents and Bowditch finally put the Blues in front in the 24th minute, a lucky deflection off former Town man Gavin Johnson allowing him time on the edge of the area to hit a shot which deflected beyond the Bury keeper.

Jaime Peters added a second 15 minutes later, his strike, again from the edge of the box, also hitting a defender and striking the post before crossing the line.

Just before the break, Ed Upson headed in Matt Richards's cross from the right, the left-sided player unusually used in a right-back role.

Town probably deserved to have scored even more goals during the first half with Gary Roberts in particular missing a number of chances, although to the former Accrington man's credit he did send in one or two dangerous crosses.

The second half saw the Blues replace almost the entire side with academy youngsters, while Bury came a little more into the game, although young keeper Lewis Ward was almost as under-employed as Shane Supple had been prior to the break.

Irish U17 international Paul Murphy forced a fine save from Bury keeper Marcus Garnham, who has played a few games for the Town reserves and U18s over the years, while Bowditch, Tommy Smith and Jai Reason had chances to increase the Blues' lead.

Trialist Adam Green was one of only three players to complete the ninety minutes – the others were centre-halves Tommy Smith and Paul Watson – and the former Fulham, Grays and Woking left-back put in an unspectacular if generally tidy display against largely unthreatening opposition.

Bowditch was the pick of the Town players, while strike partner Billy Clarke looked frustrated throughout, the ball failing to fall for him in dangerous areas. Paul Murphy, a second half sub for Clarke, came closer to a goal, and put in a lively display.

Gavin Johnson was the most impressive of the three former Town players in action for the home team. Kevin Horlock, on trial with Bury at present, looked off the pace by some distance, while former academy striker Liam Barrett was a peripheral figure with most of the match taking place at the other end of the field.

Richard Naylor had been expected to play some role but remained on the sidelines watching the game along with Alex Bruce and Alan Quinn and will be involved in Friday's game at Brentford.

The Town coaching staff were at Ram Meadow in force with boss Jim Magilton joined by new reserve coach Chris Kiwomya, new keeper-coach James Hollman, Richard Hall, Steve Foley, academy director Tony Humes and chief scout Steve McCall.

Town: Supple (Ward 46), Richards (Clemo 46), Green, Trotter (Reason 56), Watson, Smith, Peters (Robinson 56), Upson (Daniels 66), Clarke (Murphy 61), Bowditch (Ainsley 66), Roberts (Lambe 56).

Photo: Action Images

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