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

Linkboy13 added 20:38 - Jul 30 New players same problem as last season unable to find that killer pass in the last third of the pitch with Wes Burns being the chief culprit. I said on Friday that Leigh should get the nod over Davis. As for buying another striker he would have problems without getting better service in to the box. Tyreece John Jules looked very impressive when coming on and looks to have the technical ability to open up tight defences. Bolton done exactly what Cambridge did last season they pushed right up and didn't allow us to build from the back. Having said all this we should have won the game when man of the match Morsy missed that chance near the end. I would make two changes for the next game Leigh in for Davis and Tyreece John Jules for Harness.

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inghamspur added 20:49 - Jul 30 Agree with Custard Cream. Bolton are decent and will be a hard team to beat in this league. Shaky start for Davis but first game, give him a chance. Evans & Burns not brilliant today, once Ball fit then Evans will be on the bench. Ladapo is a bit deceiving. He looks so athletic and should be terrorising defences but he was nowhere near that today. Morsy's miss at the end, aaarrrggghhh!! Keeper did well though. Still a great day, brilliant atmosphere and really looking forward to the season ahead.

5

ThaiBlue added 21:12 - Jul 30 1st half looked like the team were getting to no each other second half so much better nice quick footy that we like to see.got a good feeling for us this season given a bit of time unlike some of the impatient comments from some of these so called experts on this site.
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Gforce added 21:33 - Jul 30 Nomore4......I agree ,I tried buying San Miguel, in the coop stand,but was sold out before 2pm.Maybe they have no one capable of changing a barrel? Still don't know how they justify charging the same for a can of Carlsberg,as they do for a decent pint of San Miguel.
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Billysherlockblue added 21:34 - Jul 30 1st game always cagey no one wants to lose. Now thats done throw away the shackle s and drive on. Well done all today. Fans an all. 💙
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StirlingArcher added 21:36 - Jul 30 This is why the news section should have a filter/not allow comments. so many wet wipes, we could stock a Tesco "oooh look at me, I'm not impressed, my opinion is the only one that matters and I said we blah blah blah"
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FrankMarshall added 21:45 - Jul 30 Nothing to be concerned about as feel Bolton will be a top six side by the end of the season. We outplayed them for long periods of time, just same as last season (unable to convert possession into goals).
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AlanG296 added 21:48 - Jul 30 Well Stirling just read the news item and not the comments then. Assume you are capable of doing that?
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algarvefan added 21:55 - Jul 30 Well I for enjoyed that game. Bolton came out the blocks and did a number on us for the first half hour, soft penalty and then Town started to play. I thought we were a bit franetic today,lacking any quality time on the ball. Dominated the second half but the final killer pass eluded us all to often. Today was only our first game, the signs for me a re good for the rest of the season, we ended up looking much the fitter of the two sides and had it not been for an awesome performance from Santos for Bolton, we would have won. On to the next one now, I'm just going to mention Donacien, who for me was our best player today.

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StirlingArcher added 22:01 - Jul 30 oh look AlanG... the point just flew over your head
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runningout added 22:05 - Jul 30 struggled to understand stadium announcer in Cobbold upper block B. Agree stadium Screen team sheets and scores tricky to read for old git like me. Is it small?
3

AlanG296 added 22:06 - Jul 30 You're still reading comments then Stirling.
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runningout added 22:12 - Jul 30 Blimey, I thought I was grumpy. Some right ones on here
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TonyHumesIpswich added 22:15 - Jul 30 Thought it was a good game and a decent result (we didn't lose it). Overall ; we were better on the ball but Bolton were more dangerous in the final third. Walton outstanding. Donacien and Morsy both had very good games. Worth mentioning that we had 5 debutants today. It's going to take time for these players to gel into the team and we shouldn't expect too much early on. Also, Bolton will definitely end the season in the top 8 so a good performance overall against a top half team. Yes, would have been nice to win it but once the new players have gelled I'm sure we will march up the table. COYB!

2

StirlingArcher added 22:16 - Jul 30 You're consistently missing the point still Alan - not sure consistency is what you're aiming for here
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KiwiTractor added 22:39 - Jul 30 Feels a little bit like deja vu from last season - we were the better team but didn't win. Can this team finally string together a run of wins .... I hope so. I'm a little worries with Burns not having a real break during the off-season, that he won't be the same player we saw last season. Lastly for those fans that keep saying we just need a "prolific" goal scorer: a) doesn't everyone; b) if it was that easy we would have him already (and maybe we do, with the right service).

5

BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 22:46 - Jul 30 Good game and an ok result against a team who fully expect to be in the play offs by the end of the season. Final ball needs to be worked on but other than that think we will do ok this season. Still 97.7% of the season to go!!
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budgieplucker added 23:43 - Jul 30 Yes what a great atmosphere again and fans turned up and were terrific and second to none, they did much more than their bit as usual. We just needed a performance and result worthy of that effort!!! Whilst I understand the need for patience and all the generous gestures in terms of not criticising the team for the very first match, but let's be brutally honest though Peterborough in their match today were 2-0 down and came back to score 3 goals in 13 minutes to win their match, did we ever look like doing that last season?. We still fail very much to look to be clinical, with this being the main criticism and also failing to finish matches off, I tend to agree with the earlier poster who talked about the poor quality of the final ball, we suffered from that time and time again last season and like so many draws last season there was a sense of deja vu that we just lack the capability to assert our superiority with end product. If we don't improve quickly in this area then we can soon write off automatic promotion. My concern is that if we lose Morsy we really will be all at sea. Having said that I felt Lee Evans had a good game, Greg Leigh did well when he came on, John-Jules put in a good 30 minutes effort but final delivery and end product sadly lacking, much the same from Jackson, I still think we should have left Ladapo on as he is the sort of player who may look out of the game for long periods and then turn up and sniff a couple of goals out. I do though think Ladapo will prove to be a good signing, he just needs more support from the number 10's. Thought Harness was maybe a bit overawed as he was very poor that day. Massive expectation but players must rise to this. It's going to be a tough season for Wes Burns, we shouldn't expect him to repeat his success of last season plus he had a much shorter break than others.

4

Eeyore added 00:10 - Jul 31 Positives: Morsy ran the show in second half. TJJ, Leigh, Donacien, Aluco were excellent. Evans got better as game went on. However, Ladapo seemed very slow and hesitant. Hope he is better than he showed today. First half - both teams looked like they hadn't got to know each other yet. Second half was a decent performance from Ipswich. The subs made a big impact. Bolton couldn't handle TJJ and Leigh. Jackson will never produce the goods. To win the league we would need another striker to partner TJJ or to play when he is injured/rested. Edmundson and Woolfenden didn't look as confident as last season and didn't bring ball out of defence. Chaplin was very quiet, he is not in the same class as Celina. Harness tried to get involved but didn't manage much. Burns has lost all confidence after his last Wales appearance. He looked miserable the whole match. Hopefully Bonne will be brought back to fill the gap. I think we will improve rapidly. I don't think Bolton will.

1

RobsonWark added 00:17 - Jul 31 Jackson is a waste of space. People talk about his pace - what pace? I didn't see him outpace anyone when he cane on. He runs for balls that he has no chance of getting. My heart sinks when he comes on.
4

Towny_in_Taipei added 01:07 - Jul 31 £5.25 a can of Carlsberg….WTF…..talk about extracting the urine….drinking it as well!! As for the game, same issues as last season evident, final ball poor, defenders playing footsie instead of getting rid of! TJJ and Leigh look good, just need that decisive pass, Bolton we're pretty average and should have got sweet fa out of the match.
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Towny_in_Taipei added 01:07 - Jul 31 £5.25 a can of Carlsberg….WTF…..talk about extracting the urine….drinking it as well!! As for the game, same issues as last season evident, final ball poor, defenders playing footsie instead of getting rid of! TJJ and Leigh look good, just need that decisive pass, Bolton we're pretty average and should have got sweet fa out of the match.
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pg888 added 01:40 - Jul 31 RobsonWark guess your ignoring Jackson's pace being the reason he broke down the wing and gave John jules a sitter eh? I wish people who didn't actually watch the game wouldn't comment Jackson ran his heart out when he came on
4

shakytown added 03:34 - Jul 31 Why cant we score from 4 yards out???. Every person we sign looks more likely to trip over his own feet than score.
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Sospiri added 04:38 - Jul 31 I hope we're not saying 'should have won' all season long. Some awful first touches and finishes today.
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