Brett Pitman scored the only goal as Ipswich Town earned the local spoils over plucky Colchester United at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The striker took advantage of a fantastic ball over the top by Paul Digby to round Town fan Sam Walker in the Colchester goal six minutes before the interval.

The second half was a rather drab affair although both Andre Dozzell in the first half, and his 58th minute replacement Teddy Bishop, showed touches of real class.

The friendly win ensured Ipswich lifted the Alderton Trusler Cup, a trophy that has been reinstated between the two sides for the first time since the 1990s.

Ipswich arrived with a 27-man squad which gave little away regarding Mick McCarthy’s thinking ahead of the season opener against Barnsley in little over two weeks.

Dozzell started on the right hand side of midfield but arguably the bigger news was on the bench with new signing Adam Webster joining the returning Daryl Murphy — but the lack of David McGoldrick remained a concern for the impressive travelling following numbering more than 1,200.

A bright opening for Ipswich saw Pitman spurn the first half-chance, firing over after neat interplay between Freddie Sears and Cameron Stewart.

Brennan Dickenson, one of Colchester’s five new signings who started the match, then fired high and wide for John McGreal’s men.

The home side went closer in the 16th minute when Drey Wright turned inside Myles Kenlock to tee up Denny Johnstone, whose first-time shot was comfortably held by Dean Gerken.

Digby, subject to some choice first-half words from his manager, headed Kevin Bru’s freekick wide just after the half-hour mark before the sliding Kurtis Guthrie just failed to convert another dangerous cross from Dickenson.

The breakthrough came for Ipswich seven minutes before the interval when Digby’s precise ball over the top was neatly headed beyond Walker by Pitman, who calmly found the unguarded net. It was an error from Ipswich fan Walker, but both Digby and Pitman can take heart from the opener.

Minutes later, it was almost two when a lovely move, again instigated by a raking Digby pass out of defence, saw Pitman and Stewart combine but Dozzell was unable to turn a dangerous deep cross goalwards.

Pitman then tested the diving Walker from distance as the game burst into some form of life.

The second half started in rather sluggish fashion before Stewart fizzed a freekick just over on the hour mark earned by neat trickery from Bishop, who replaced Dozzell in the 58th minute.

A few dangerous set pieces and crosses aside, the game was typical pre-season fare with the temperatures finally starting to drop, but so was the action.

Tommy Smith saw a header blocked before the plethora of expected subs finally materialised in the 68th minute when McCarthy made eight changes, Webster making his Town bow. Only Dean Gerken was kept on from the side that started.

Bishop was denied what looked like a decent shout for a penalty in the 76th minute after he was played in by a razor-sharp pass by Murphy.

Clearly Town’s biggest threat in the second half, Bishop then spurned a good opportunity after breaking clear down the right but opting to try and cut in rather than playing the ball across.

The second 45 minutes was drifting but Colchester almost claimed an unlikely draw — and a share of the Alderton Trusler Cup — when the lively Dion Sembie-Ferris teed up Chris Porter whose shot was deflected just wide with Gerken beaten.

In terms of performances, Digby had to endure something of a verbal battering from McCarthy but, at times, his long, precise balls out of defence were a feature, as was Dozzell’s assurance on the ball.

The second half was a poor affair, punctuated by the expected wave of subs — even if they were a little later than expected.

Bishop was far and away the standout figure of the second period while Murphy also looked sharp, perhaps predictably after locking horns with France just a few weeks previously.

New boy Webster made some nice touches but more serious tests are still to come.

Town: Gerken; Chambers (Emmanuel 69), Digby (Webster 69), Smith (Berra 69), Kenlock (Knudsen 46); Dozzell (Bishop 58), Douglas (Hyam 69), Bru (Skuse 69), Stewart (McDonnell 69); Pitman (Murphy 69), Sears (McLoughlin 69). Unused: Blanchfield, Robinson, Malarczyk, Patterson, Morris, Bialkowski.

Photos: Richard Calver

Photo: Action Images

carsey added 07:11 - Jul 21 Nothing will change The kids won't play The new signings won't play The ball will be hit long Town will not get close to promotion
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Bert added 09:02 - Jul 21 A pre season friendly long past its sell by date for any entertainment value but understandable from a club point of view The biggest disappointment is the biased negativity on here; comments that sound like the ignorance of UKIP and Daily Mail readers who are not interested in the facts but peddle their prejudiced views.
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essex57 added 09:09 - Jul 21 Bert agree with the football side of your comment we are beaten before we start in some people's eyes don't really know why they call themselves supporters still there entitled to their opinion however boring it may be.
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ArnieM added 09:10 - Jul 21 Some of you on here begger belief. You cant see/ appreciate what the Club are actually doing can you! Dozell, Bish, Kenlock, Digby, Webster, Emmanual, Blanchard etc etc are all coming through to senior squad, and are ALL bllody good young players. Woudl you suddenly be very happy if Town actually went to another Club and paid £1-2m for each of thes players...would you the say the Club are lookig forward and investing in the future? Just because we have developed our own, and havent paid a hefty fee for these players, doesnt mean we are working towrads gaining promotion. True it might ot happen for this or even next season, but we will have a team largely made up of " one of our own". I know one theing, Whe PL clubs come calling for the likes of Bishop and Dozzell, some of you will be moaning about that like its going oput of fashion! Now compare the development of our Academy players to the scum up the road. How many players are they bringing through? They're spending silly money on other Clubs youngsters ....that doesnt make their players any better. Level of Price tag doesnt = "better" player....It just hows how sky money is ruining the game . Town are doing in their way, and the way football SHOULD be done. And for all the money Derby spent last seaon they are STILL in this division with us, and for all our injuries last season , we STILL finished 7th. Try supporting them through this instead of moaning at every bloody thing.

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ArnieM added 09:13 - Jul 21 soz about significant numbe of typo errors , but typed in haste at work , when no one looking . But hopefully get get my meaning guys! and as for playing Gerks , dont underestimate MM's man mangement skills . Bart will clearly be # 1 have no fears on that one!
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linhdi added 09:13 - Jul 21 No mention of my MOTM, Knudsen, who was a class above anyone else in a white shirt. It was a treat though to have a right-footed CB, Digby. Mick was constantly berating Douglas and Bru for sitting too deep first half btw.
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essex57 added 09:33 - Jul 21 Well said Arnie
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essexbluey added 09:37 - Jul 21 Hate to say this but my mate has done some work for bart up in martlesham and he is a wanted man, would not blame him if he went because he is class.
2

brian_a_mul added 09:41 - Jul 21 Great to see Bish and Dozzell really making an impact. They are both really making a case for first team, great competition for the Right Midfield spot. Puts pressure on Stewart to hit the same level :) MM must see alot of potential in Digby and a possible first teamer if he is "encouraging him" :)
1

ArnieM added 10:05 - Jul 21 Id say he's "teaching / coaching" him. If the boy has half a brain he'll learn from MM and become a great footballing CB for us , along with Webster. About time we had 2 decent CB again innit !
3

MarkFish added 10:09 - Jul 21 Oh woe is me....what am I missing . Old Tyrannosaurus rex is still doing his thang.
0

MarkFish added 10:11 - Jul 21 Armies m...."learn from MM." Let me tell you son MM was no footballing centre back, he was Shyte.
1

sidtheswan added 10:27 - Jul 21 Mick out . Bored already . Last season was the most boring I've had to endure in my whole life and can't be doing with another one . Football is entertainment and if you go and see a boring film you don't go back and watch it another 20 plus times . Mick make mistakes last year and he's starting again already and the season hasn't started yet . On the bright side makes Tyranosauras Rex look well trendy . Mick's problem is he has a small club mentality where we are bigger than that and the potential for this club is huge. We are among the best supporters in the country and deserve so much much more.

2

blues1 added 10:51 - Jul 21 What is wrong with some of you. It's common practice in friendlies that 1 keeper will play the whole game, then the other will play in the next. So when Bart plays the whole game on sat what are you lot accusing McCarthy of favouritism towards gerken? Ridiculous. Wait till the season starts to see who's in goal before you criticise
3

Lightningboy added 10:59 - Jul 21 Pitman will be our key striker next season. Think there'll be uproar if Gerken inexplicably gets picked ahead of Bart when the season kicks off. As the squad stand for me :5/3/2 or 3/5/2 Bart; Webster,Chambers,Berra,Smith,Knudsen; Bishop,Skuse,Dozzell; Sears,Pitman.
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ArnieM added 11:15 - Jul 21 Mark Fish : Point taken ref MM's likley style of CB in his playing day. But his record speaks for itself! He was a uncompromising CB, if he can intstall some of that into the two footbaling CBS's webster/ Digby Id say we'd have a decent CB pairing for the future , woudnt you ?!
2

jonbull88 added 11:32 - Jul 21 @sodtheswan may I suggest you do a little homework and get season low lights under Keane and Jewell, for me from 2009-2012 was a compete wash out, far far far worse than this last season.
0

Sospiri added 12:02 - Jul 21 Yup, it was a typical pre-season game, but I enjoyed the golden sunshine, the lovely surface, and the game nonethless. I'd be interested to know what Mick was shouting to Digby. I felt like shouting at him myself. For a 'ball-playing centre-back', he seemed to have no forward ambition, and simply passed a few yards to someone in a worse position than him. Luckily he had Smith alongside him - who seemed more the natural captain than Chambers. Websters replacement of Digby showed how a dynamic centre-back can play; he will be one to watch. Kenlock looked very assured at left back. Chambers basically bullied his winger off the ball all game. Douglas works hard, but has no creativity; fortunately Bru was alongside him, and playing well. Stewart and Dozzel tried to add some pace, but to little effect tonight, and both got out-muscled by bigger defenders. The only man to give any real excitement factor was Bishop. Surely he must play as much as possible; without him, we are pretty dull.

4

blueboy1981 added 18:32 - Jul 21 essex57 ....... no brainer (but accept that maybe a problem) - if you didn't read them you wouldn't know anyway, and therefore you need not comment. Keep being happy chappies - and don't forget to salute your Messiah before bedtime.
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blueboy1981 added 18:41 - Jul 21 ...... oh, and don't forget to ask for his Autograph when you see him next - which you probably do anyway, every time you see him.
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Sospiri added 19:24 - Jul 21 .. oh, and Smith looked really comfortable at left centre back, being able to take the ball outside, and kick with his left foot. If, as expected, Webster secures the right centre back role, which of Smith or Berra will have to drop out, and will either of them stay at the club if this happens to them?
3

essex57 added 19:25 - Jul 21 Blue boy you are pathetic.
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blueboy1981 added 20:42 - Jul 21 ........ before accepting criticism - evaluate the person in judgement, and of course, his merry men. This I have done - and any criticism from the above is like water off a ducks back - for good and sound reason. BRAVO.
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paulnstar added 22:14 - Jul 21 How can u see positives from last night it was the usual boring garbage from town hoof hoof hoof all match kenlock got skinned all night by Wright pitman and Sears did nothing and it was only because of a comical error from they're keeper p@ss poor against a league 2 side reckon we will be celebrating 25 years of championship football in near future MICK OUT
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DirtyOldNodger added 16:18 - Jul 22 I think everyone needs to stop posting supportive messages about the club. Apparently these days its quite normal to consider yourself a fan of a football club but spend all your time moaning about it on TWTD, and booing the players off the field on match days!
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