Lee Evans netted Town’s first goal of the season as the Blues and Bolton Wanderers drew 1-1 at Portman Road on the opening day. Aaron Morley gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot in the 25th minute, before Evans converted from a neatly-worked corner seven minutes before the break and the Blues looked much the more likely winners in the second half without being able to find a second goal.

Summer signings Leif Davis, Marcus Harness and Freddie Ladapo were handed their debuts for the Blues, while Greg Leigh and Tyreece John-Jules were on the bench.

Christian Walton was in goal behind a back three of Janoi Donacien, Luke Woolfenden and George Edmundson. Davis, who joined from Leeds for £1 million last week, was at left wing-back with Wes Burns on the right.

In central midfield, skipper Sam Morsy was joined by Evans with Harness and Conor Chaplin behind lone central striker Ladapo.

Aside from Donacien’s 44, rather than the two he wore in his first couple of seasons at Town, the Blues were wearing shirts numbered from one to 11.

For Bolton, on-loan Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley made his debut, while midfielder Kyle Dempsey was absent with a knock.

After the two teams had taken a knee, the game got under way at a very hot and sunny Portman Road.

There was an early stoppage after Bolton defender Gethin Jones suffered a knock as a Wanderers corner came in from the right but after treatment the former Wales U21 international was OK to continue.

The visitors had made the stronger start and in the fifth minute Declan John saw a shot blocked by Janoi Donacien.

On nine, Evans played a long ball forward into space on the Blues’ left for Ladapo to chase which Bolton keeper James Trafford sprinted off his line to intercept and then clear long to Walton at the other end.

Two minutes later, Burns sent over a cross from midway inside the Bolton half on the right which Trotters skipper Ricardo Santos nodded over his own goal ahead of Ladapo.

As the game moved towards the quarter-hour mark, Burns was sent away on the right but his low cross aimed at Harness was cut out.

Bolton had been the better side in the opening 20 minutes or so with the Blues still to get going having looked nervy and with the game having been somewhat stop-start, but with neither side having had a serious chance.

But in the 23rd minute the visitors were awarded a penalty when debutant Davis tripped Bradley as he took the ball into the area on the right. Referee Samuel Barrott pointed straight to the spot and despite Town protests it looked the right decision.

Aaron Morley took the kick and hit it low into the corner of the net to Walton’s right to give Wanderers the lead.

Bolton’s John was shown the game’s first yellow card in the 33rd minute for a foul on Evans as the Welshman broke forward having picked up a loose pass just inside the Town half.

Following the free-kick, Harness allowed a ball in from the left across him and Chaplin struck a powerful shot which George Johnston did well to block.

As the half moved into its final 10 minutes, the Blues began to look more threatening. On 37, Ladapo and Morsy exchanged passes and the former Rotherham man struck a shot which deflected behind.

And from the resultant corner, Town levelled. Chaplin played a low ball to Evans, who struck a first-time shot from around the penalty spot distance in line with the near post through the crowd of players and into the net.

The well-worked goal was the first straight from a corner since Kieran McKenna took charge in mid-December and Evans’s first since he scored a hat-trick against Doncaster in September, his only previous goals for the club.

The goal gave the Blues confidence and they began to look a different side, taking the rest of the half to the visitors.

On 42, a neatly worked move on the right of the box involving Burns and Morsy ended with Ladapo finding some space but the striker’s shot was blocked. Moments later, Davis was booked for a foul on Bradley.

Neither side threatened again before the break with Town having finished the stronger having scored their equaliser.

The Blues had started nervously with Bolton having had the better of it and deserving to take the lead on the balance of the opening 30 minutes but having got on terms, the momentum was with Town at the break.

Chaplin struck the second half’s first effort inside the opening minute but got underneath the ball on the edge of the area and it looped over.

Town started the second period as they had ended the first, taking the game to Bolton and on 54, after a Burns low cross from the right had been cut out, Chaplin and Evans tried their same corner trick but this time the Welshman’s effort was blocked.

Evans went close again from the subsequent flag-kick. This time Chaplin sent it deep beyond the far post from where the former Wigan man headed back across goal towards the top corner but Wanderers keeper Trafford did well to tip it wide.

There was a scare for the Blues at the other end almost immediately when Kieran Lee forced his way into the area and almost made the most of an Edmundson slip inside the area but the centre-half was able to get in front of the former Sheffield Wednesday man and the ball ran through to Walton.

After Bolton’s Jones had undergone treatment having clashed heads with Ladapo as the two challenged for a Donacien cross from the right, Town swapped Harness and Davis for Tyreece John-Jules and Greg Leigh, the fourth and fifth debutants of the afternoon.

The former Morecambe man was quickly involved, heading John’s dangerous cross from the left behind at the far post ahead of Bradley.

Soon afterwards, Bradley got his name in the book for a late tackle on John-Jules down the Town left, the on-loan Arsenal man having left him for dead with a turn earlier in the move.

Following a 65th-minute corner, the ball was cleared to Leigh just outside the area and the left wing-back volleyed wide.

Town were by now camped in the Bolton half and a minute later Burns saw an effort on the turn blocked after Donacien had crossed from the right.

With the Blues continuing to dominate, Wanderers made their first change in the 71st minute, Amadou Bakayoko taking over from Lee, then the Blues swapped Chaplin and Ladapo for Sone Aluko and Kayden Jackson.

Woolfenden was booked in the 75th minute for a foul on halfway after he had played himself into trouble, something Town had been guilty of on a number of occasions over the course of the afternoon.

Bolton switched Dion Charles and Dapo Afolayan for Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Elias Kachunga before John-Jules closed down keeper Trafford and blocked his kick, the ball flying behind.

The stoppages for substitutions had seen the game lose its momentum somewhat, but on 79 Leigh crossed from the left and Burns headed into the side-netting off Jones.

In the 85th minute, Burns sent Jackson away down the right and the striker crossed low for John-Jules, who was just unable to get anything on it with the goal at his mercy.

In the final scheduled minute, John-Jules, who had been a big threat since coming on, turned his man from an Aluko pass but shot straight at Trafford while under pressure.

As the game moved into six minutes of injury time, Burns broke down the right and picked up Morsy on the penalty spot but the skipper’s effort at goal hit Trafford’s feet when he should have scored.

Edmundson was booked for a foul on halfway, then Morsy almost played in John-Jules but the frontman was unable to get the ball under control.

That was the last chance of the game and Town had to be content with a draw on the opening day but were warmly applauded off by the 26,668 crowd, the biggest gate for Portman Road's first game of the season since 2002.

The Blues had been disappointing in the first half but dominated after the break and there only looked to be one winner throughout the second 45 minutes.

Town created a number of decent chances with Morsy’s effort in injury time the most clear-cut and the captain will have left the field frustrated that he failed to take it.

Of the debutants, sub John-Jules made the greatest impact along with left wing-back Leigh, who gave the Blues more of a threat down the left.

Town are next in action next Saturday when they travel to face League One new boys Forest Green Rovers for the first time in their history.

Town: Walton, Donacien, Woolfenden, Edmundson, Burns, Morsy (c), Evans, Davis (Leigh 58), Chaplin (Aluko 71), Harness (John-Jules 58), Ladapo (Jackson 71). Unused: Hladky, Burgess, Harper.

Bolton: Trafford, Jones, John, Williams, Santos (c), Johnston, Charles (Bodvarsson 77), Morley (Thomason 83), Afolayan (Kachunga 77), Lee (Bakayoko 71), Bradley. Unused: Sadlier, Iredale, Aimson. Referee: Samuel Barrott (West Riding). Att: 26,668 (Bolton: 1,392).

Photo: Matchday Images

Portman51 added 18:20 - Jul 30 General outfield play was excellent in the second half. Several are criticising the finishing, but apart from Morsey's late miss the main problem was the final ball. At least half a dozen real opportunities were wasted through overhit final passes, some over just a few yards.On another day Bolton would have shipped four or five. On that evidence, plenty to be optimistic about in my view.

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blues1 added 18:23 - Jul 30 Some of the comments on here defy belief. And it's the usual suspects. It's 1 game in a 46 game season and already there's people writing players off bcse we only scored 1 goal. Get a grip for heavens sake. If our strikers had missed a hatful of easy chances then it may be a concern. But the only chance that we really should have scored was morsys chance near the end of the game.

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gosblue added 18:24 - Jul 30 Too many draws last season but I'd have taken this one before kick off. The performance was important today and the guys will take confidence from that. I'm sure there'll be a goal scorer arriving very shortly. There may be a bit more added to the transfer pot because it's clear that's where we need to invest. COYB
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blueguppy added 18:36 - Jul 30 The game was on sluggish start and shame about the pen. 2nd half looked a lot sharper. Need Somthing just to like the strikers and a proven goal machine. The new boys looked good and with a bit more time and gelling I think the 2nd will be the whole game. So great interplay and ball movement at times but should have beating a mediocre Bolton time wasting side. #1doneontothenext1 #COYB

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RobsonWark added 18:43 - Jul 30 Another great performance today by Morsy and Walton again showed what a great goal keeper he is. Not impressed with Davis at left back today. I thought Leigh played much better when he replaced him. Not impressed with Harness today either (I work with a Portsmouth supporter and he said Harkness was their best player and was annoyed when they sold him to us). I thought JJ offered much more, apart from his final ball, when he came on. We looked much more dangerous in the second half when we kept the ball on the deck.

4

DifferentGravy added 18:44 - Jul 30 Frustrating as, although we had a number of shots, not a great deal troubled the keeper. That needs to change as has been the problem for several seasons and no one seems able to fix as yet...... .....having said that....once we went behind the desire and fitness was there for all to see. Morsey was excellent (should have scored though) and was absolutely everywhere. Centre backs were generally solid...apart from a few ponderous moments in either half. JJ will hopefully be an asset with goals. Bolton gave us a game but were hanging on for the last 15. Sort the goalscoring out and this could be an exciting season COYB

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AndoverFist added 18:44 - Jul 30 Nomore4 agree entirely with yr comment regarding the screen. Initially I thought a visit to SpecSavers for some new glasses was on the cards - until others around me (with/without glasses) said they also could not read it properly.
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RobsonWark added 18:44 - Jul 30 Also, can someone tell the ball boys/girls that they are supposed to retrieve the ball when it goes out of play and not just sit and watch the game...
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Gforce added 18:51 - Jul 30 £5.25 for a can of carlsberg !!! Outrageous
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Orraman added 18:53 - Jul 30 Reasonably happy with the game but as others have said we need to be more ruthless in and around the box and defence was lucky on a few occasions in getting away with over complicating playing out of defence. On the match day experience no praise can be high enough for the atmosphere engendered by the crowd especially in SBR but the big screen brings nothing to the occasion. For the probable excessive cost of the installation it really needs someone who knows how to operate to best effect toget full value. I sit opposite in the West Stand and I found it hard to read the small typeface so I can sympathise with fans in SBR. Might be an idea to checkout how other clubs display their graphics. The halftime chat with Carlos Edwards was as usual completely unintelligible in the West Stand so nothing different there regards the sound system. One final point concerns the over excited, shouty bloke presenting in the FanZone. Is that really the best that the club can find. Someone needs to tell him that it is not necessary to shout and holler into a mic - everything just gets distorted into an unbearable noise. Or is it just that I am becoming a grumpy old man.

2

Nomore4 added 18:57 - Jul 30 Gforce…it is. Which makes the San Miguel on tap much better value….and it's nicer also. At long last decent lager on tap being sold.
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Cookiscooking added 19:01 - Jul 30 are some of you mad?? like seriously bolton doubled us last season (disgusting) fair enough. But we were heaps and bounds beyonyd them for 80% of the game (90%) of the 50/50s where won by us!! thats not even biased its facts! yes it is a goals based game but we have plenty of goals in us and WE ARE GOING UP SAY WE ARE GOING UP...QUOTE ME!!!! COYB ITID
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Nobbysnuts added 19:02 - Jul 30 And for the people on here trying to make themselves feel better by saying Bolton will be up there challenging for promotion.....well they won't ....another bang average to poor side we couldn't beat at home. Definitely 2 points dropped. I expected better..a lot better.
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Nomore4 added 19:06 - Jul 30 Must say Bolton looked far better last year home and away. Today they did look very average. And definitely 2 points dropped.
4

runaround added 19:13 - Jul 30 A case of 2 points dropped after a slow start for first 30 minutes. After that however we dominated the match, played some nice stuff and looked good but just couldn't force the winner. Hopefully that will come with time. Was a great atmosphere today and great to be back at Portman Road for another season
2

DerryfromBury added 19:31 - Jul 30 John-Jules what a player we have there. Although we didn't manage the win quite, happy with the overall performance. fantastic crowd 26K+ Why did the PA need to be so loud. I appreciates its a new sound system and may take a game or two to get the levels right, but god nearly burst ear drums. Bit difficult to read the big screen from the Magness Stand. The ground looks and feels like a prem ground. Well done to all concerned with the upgrades.

3

AlanG296 added 19:42 - Jul 30 A slow start to a scrappy, sloppy game where we did have more of the ball as the game went on but were devoid of the quality needed to achieve anything with it. Bolton were no better and we'll be playing them again in league one next season. 2 wins in last 10 for McKenna. The new manager bounce has well and truly gone.
1

Michael101 added 19:42 - Jul 30 Nomore4 , is there such a thing as a decent lager.??
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Blueballs83 added 19:43 - Jul 30 @robsonwalk Couldn't agree more about our slow and lethargic ball boys/girls! They are generally so slow and rarely look like they even want to get up. Most teams train theirs to be quick in order to get the ball back in play quickly to gain an advantage. Anyway, about the game, I thought we were excellent against a side that will finish in the top 10 after a nervy first 20 minutes and should have won the game! We attacked with pace and as per last season just lacked the killer instinct in front of goal. Do we need another striker? Maybe, but John-Jules looked very exciting and I'd like to see him play with Lapapo in a 2 or even a 3 with Burns in perhaps a 4-3-3 formation. Lots to be positive about and excited for the season.

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dirtydingusmagee added 19:44 - Jul 30 i know ive been saying it for weeks ,forgive me if im boring, WE REALLY NEED A PROLIFIC STRIKER. Poor finishing and lack of service have been our downfall for a good while now, Other teams seem to be able to hit 2 or 3 quite regularly ,even if still not winning, . If we dont improve our scoring ability we will suffer again this season. It was our first game but the same weakness was evident. Shots to goals poor. Obviously cant make too much out of this one game .but it needs to be addressed in future if we want to go up .

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Nomore4 added 20:02 - Jul 30 Yes Micheal. If you drink lager.
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suffolkblueeye added 20:27 - Jul 30 George Hirst…need a striker, Celina could of finished Bolton off…
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Nomore4 added 20:30 - Jul 30 Celina could've twice last season but didnt
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 20:34 - Jul 30 I predicted a draw, so not too unhappy, especially after the 2nd half performance. Bolton started best, but we took over and by the end we made them look very average. They had to resort to theatrics and foul play to get a result they didn't really deserve. But with the goalkeeper they have at present, they'll be very lucky to make top six. Onwards and upwards!

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 20:35 - Jul 30 PS: I try to avoid blaming refs, but today !!!!
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