Tawanda Chirewa’s second-half goal saw Town to a 1-0 victory over Dartford at Princes Park in their opening pre-season friendly. The midfielder curled home in the 73rd minute to see the Blues to the win.

Town’s first pre-season friendly against Dartford at Princes Park remains 0-0 at half-time.

All six of Town’s summer signings - Wes Burns, Lee Evans, Rekeem Harper, Macauley Bonne, Vaclav Hladky and Matt Penney - started the first half as the Blues got their pre-season fixtures under way.

As expected, none of the more senior players training with the U23s - Flynn Downes, Teddy Bishop, Kayden Jackson, Myles Kenlock and Brett McGavin - were involved.

Released Town youngster Kai Brown was among the subs for Dartford, who play in National League South.

The Blues squad wore black armbands and the game was preceded by a minute’s applause in tribute to Paul Mariner, whose death was announced this morning.

Town fans, at an away game for the first time since the visit to Blackpool in early February 2020, sang songs in tribute to the legendary striker.

With rain falling steadily, Bonne, playing in a front two alongside James Norwood, went close to his first goal for his hometown club in only the second minute, taking the ball on a couple of strides before hitting a powerful shot which struck the top of the bar.

The game started at an unusually frantic pace for a pre-season friendly, perhaps due to the atmosphere created by the returning fans. On seven Luke Woolfenden headed wide from a corner on the right off a defender.

In the 14th minute, Penney crossed low from the left after good work from Armando Dobra but home keeper Dan Wilks claimed ahead of Norwood.

The game continued to played at a pace far higher than a lot of the Blues’ first-team fixtures last season with the new signings very much involved.

Evans, wearing the captain's armband, sprayed a number of passes out to the flanks, while Penney showed his attacking intent with numerous crosses from the left.

Harper was very neat and tidy in the centre of midfield, showing quick feet, while Burns showed his pace down the right and Bonne his strength up front, in addition to his early effort at goal. Hladky hadn’t been called into action.

On 29 Bonne hit the woodwork again, this time the outside of the left post, after more good work from Dobra, however, the linesman had raised his flag.

Two minutes later, the Albanian U21 international felt he should have been awarded a penalty when he drove into the box before being felled. The referee showed no interest.

In the final scheduled minute before the break, Burns made a run from inside the Town half before eventually being brought down 25 yards out. Norwood’s free-kick slammed into the gut of one of those in the wall.

That was the final action of a lively and unusually competitive half. Bonne had gone closest to a goal with his early strike and it was Town who presented the greater threat throughout, albeit without creating many clear-cut chances. At the other end, Hladky had had a quiet first 45 minutes in goal for the Blues.

As expected, Town changed their entire XI ahead of the second half with Tomas Holy the only senior man involved and skippering. Midfielder Idris El Mizouni and central defender Corrie Ndaba were the most experienced of the outfielders.

In a throwback to an earlier era, the fans behind each goal switched ends ahead of the half with Princes Park standing for the most part.

A minute after the restart Gerard Buabo, who starts as a full-time scholar this summer and was up front with fellow new first year Nico Valentine playing off him, headed a right-wing cross to sub Dartford keeper Craig King.

On 49 former Blues youngster Kai Brown shot low through to Holy from the edge of the area.

A minute later, Dan Roberts tried to catch Blues keeper Holy out with a chipped effort from the left which the big keeper palmed behind.

After a Buabo break which ultimately came to nothing, Dartford, who had made a number of changes at the break, threatened through Luke Wanadio, who forced Holy to save at his left post.

Jesse Nwabueze shot over in the 56th minute for the Blues having cut in from the right flank.

Three minutes later, El Mizouni, playing alongside Tawanda Chirewa in central midfield, curled an effort from distance which looped not too far wide of the post.

In the 65th minute, Samuel Odaudu forced Holy into the game’s best save to that point with a low shot from the edge of the box which the keeper was just able to tip past his left post.

Unsurprisingly given their greater experience, the home side began to dominate and shots at the Town goal were becoming a more regular occurrence. On 69 Jack Jebb struck an effort from outside the box which Holy claimed.

However, in the 73rd minute the Blues took the lead, Chirewa, who made his senior debut as schoolboy at Colchester in November 2019, curling a superb strike past King in the Dartford goal and just inside his left post.

Five minutes after the Town goal George Porter shot straight at Holy from 20 yards, then on 84 ex-Blue Brown ran on to a looped ball over the top from the back but put his effort wide of the post as well as Holy.

Town almost went two goals in front in the 87th minute when Cameron Humphreys made a clever run to the right of the box and cut back to Valentine, whose effort was cleared off the line.

Nwabueze saw a strike deflected wide for a corner in the closing moments before the referee confirmed that the Town fans travelling to an away game for the first time in 17 months were celebrating a victory.

While results aren’t a particular concern in pre-season, a win is always welcome, perhaps more so given the very young side which was fielded in the second half.

The young lads more than held their own against their more senior opposition weathering a spell when the home side were starting to get on top just prior to the goal. In the latter stages they might have increased their lead with the Darts tiring.

Town are next in friendly action against Bury Town on Tuesday evening.

Town first half: Hladky, Donacien, Nsiala, Woolfenden, Penney, Harper, Evans (c), Burns, Dobra, Norwood, Bonne.

Town second half: Holy (c), Agbaje, Stewart, Ndaba, Armin, El Mizouni, Chirewa, Humphreys, Nwabueze, Valentine, Buabo. Att: 1,620.

Photo: Matchday Images

bluesteel added 17:18 - Jul 10 looking much more like paul hirst mk2 than joe royle
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blues1 added 17:36 - Jul 10 Trublulax. Spouting the same rubbish as monkey blue. We have a squad of 25-30 players. If it became necessary for the likes of Downes to play, I'm sure Cook would play him. Hopefully therell be enough players signed for that not to have to be the case tho. Unless of course, like Dobra, he or any of the others decide they want to fight for a place here. If not, then frankly I'd rather play anyone rather than players who dont want to be here.

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thatsbonkers added 18:18 - Jul 10 If this is not the forum to query the axing of a near entire squad where is? It's a radical move and needs to be up for scrutiny. Hoping it's a master stroke but happy to hear opposing views too.
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Suffolkboy added 18:36 - Jul 10 Let's look for the good ! The new faces for the most part impressed ,the well grassed pitch probably did not lead to the speediest passages of play ,but we did see some consistency , cohesion and joint determination ,both in attack and in defending . To their credit Dartford played good football and the game overall was well controlled by the Referee and officials . For certain we all have opinions and questions ,but how great to be back live , together ,sharing views and enthusiasm ! Onwards and upwards ,more to enjoy, Portman Rd to visit again – so much to look forward to ! COYB

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blues1 added 19:56 - Jul 10 Thatsbonkers. For1 we havent axed the whole squad. Just certain players have been given the challenge of whether they want to be here, in which case they need to show it. As Dobra has already done. And if not they can go. So it's up to them. 2. Why is it that most fans on here have been saying for around 3 years now that the players are rubbish and should all go. But suddenly when it iis close to happening those same fans are now saying its the wrong thing? How hypocritical is that?

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blueboy1981 added 20:36 - Jul 10 Monkey Blue - I think most, if not all, you referred to in being humiliated by being left out today - did that last season. They had their chance - now it's step up or step out. One could say - they have their just desserts, now swallow it... !! The choice is theirs.
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Oldozblue added 01:38 - Jul 11 The value of the "bomb squad" must be dropping by the day. Not being involved is not good for them and I think the club. For both sides they are better out of the building - even on loan. Sad when most clearly have talent, even if they do not fit the new manager's style and philosophy. Though everyone is optimistic and welcoming the new dawn I was a bit surprised it was nil all at half time against a National League South side. Early days.

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kiwiblue added 03:49 - Jul 11 Whats this Att 1620 mean?
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Help added 08:44 - Jul 11 I thought this was supposed to be Match Report. Personally having driven to Dartford with my children to watch the match, it was very enjoyable. The team played with a lot more purpose than those who played last season. Quite clearly Dartford were up for the game and that was evident from the off as tackles and forcefulness from both teams. At times Town got their foot on the ball and dictated the pace, but it was an enhanced training session. Looked much better in midfield with the ball being played forward much quicker with two very wide players hugging the wings. Both long balls forward and across the field, as well as passing and players taking the ball forward in midfield. Second Half it was good to see the youth enjoying their game, and see the Klug and co training being shown on the pitch. The second half was so enjoyable the 45 minutes flew by so quickly. Nico in Midfield and the goal from Tawanda and others who names I do not know provided highlights of quality football the youngsters play. Overall good to see the new signings playing in the Blue of ITFC and more players to follow no doubt. The ride this season will not only be bumpy at times, but I look forward to seeing Paul Cooks type of football being played by those that are willing and able of playing it.

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jalapenosteve added 09:47 - Jul 11 So impressed with Agbaje at right back - very quick, passed well too. In the first half while Rekeem Harper just bossed it, different class, but Norwood was woeful.
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Help added 13:21 - Jul 11 https://www.dartfordfc.com/match-report-dartford-0-ipswich-town-1/ Dartford Match report
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DaGremloid added 14:02 - Jul 11 Wow! 1-0 against Dartford. So exciting.
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Razor added 10:29 - Jul 12 I think its all about ATTITUDE from both the manager and the players----it is not a good or healthy place to be and must be sorted soon. On the game nothing special----tought Penney was the pickj of the buncch and at least Noxxa seemed to have some fire in his belly------to very little effect but early days.
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