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

cressi added 07:28 - Jul 31 People saying Bolton were poor no last 20 games of last season they were the form team and in my view will be around the top 6 Town are much improved from the last time they played at Ipswich. Think there will still be a couple to come in and goals will come Only criticism from me got to start games better and I said walking to ground I would start leigh as looked good in preseason . Davis has not had enough football and needs getting up to speed but I understand only games does this forget the money I would play the form player.

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Paddy39 added 07:55 - Jul 31 Once again a time wasting club visits PR and Stops us from taking 3 points. We will get better, but on a good note thank you for a great day out the improvements so for at ITFC are brilliant.
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TractorRob added 08:22 - Jul 31 It seems I am not alone in being usable to read the new screen ((rom mid West stand).
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oldblue added 08:34 - Jul 31 Great atmosphere.. the ground looked magnificent..new players on the pitch...a feeling of positivity everywhere..the crowd behind the players...well not everyone...the senior citizen beside me constantly moaned ..did not make one positive comment ...did not encourage the team..did not applaud the good efforts..just moaned and moaned and moaned....I just had to say something to him...and I did...! Some people don't deserve our club no matter how long they have 'supported ' them..phew got that off my chest then

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Bazza8564 added 09:04 - Jul 31 Bolton are no mugs, they made it really difficult for us especially in the first half, but our football was excellent and if we play like that all season we will be fine. I expect Bolton to be pushing the top 6, and although a point didn't do us justice the performance was light years ahead of where we were 12 months ago. Bolton looked out on their feet second half. Other than a couple of moments of indecision from Wolfy i thought we were excellent. I read a comment about the ref being awful, i thought he was excellent, way better than the usual L1 standard.

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itfcasual added 09:31 - Jul 31 IMO Davis played with energy and confidence. For a new signing with the squad less than a week he did well. Our shot conversion rate remains an issue. Everything but the goal.
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itfcasual added 09:35 - Jul 31 The Dug Out bar is still selling a choice of lukewarm IPA, Carlsberg or Stowford Press in cans and plastic bottles. I was hoping for a cold San Miguel! The big screen isn't very big.
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blueboy1981 added 10:14 - Jul 31 As always, we all have our opinions, and rightly so too - but however we look at it this was another Two Home Points dropped, through being unable to score more than one goal. Bolton got what they came for, and succeeded - they went home with the bag - we didn't. Win your Home Games - Draw Away - equals Promotion !!! That's the Bottom Line !!
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Nomore4 added 10:16 - Jul 31 The 81 bar in north stand had San Miguel on tap over 2 pumps. The air conditioning wasn't working in there at half time. It was roasting in there. They then ran out on 1 pump…..work in progress apparently.
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dirtydingusmagee added 10:19 - Jul 31 Kiwi, i take your point about service [ i had also mentioned that] but 17 shots on target and one goal indicates the chances were there ,we didnt make most of them . But as i also said , it was one game ,our first, lets hope these missed opportunities dont happen too often .We may already have a 20 goal man in the squad , lets hope so.
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planetblue_2011 added 10:43 - Jul 31 The game wasn't the best but neither were the big screen in the stadium & at fanzone we could do better in size with those, just my personal thoughts on that tho. We should of won the game at the end, we were too slow to get going first half glad we equalised, 2nd half was much better was just waiting for the 2nd goal what never came⚽️
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Girty added 11:17 - Jul 31 May be stating the obvious but regarding the new screen, firstly agree the font is far too small, but one third is advertising - hopefully will be modified. Stadium looking much smarter
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Steelmonkey added 11:39 - Jul 31 In the pre season games I'd watched I have to say that I was really impressed with Greg Leigh and was when he came on second half I thought he looked a better fit then the Davis lad. Obviously he has been here longer and knows team mates better so has settled in. KM has seen something in him to let the club spend so much money for him, I'm not putting the lad down as he has had to come in late and has to catch up and get used to a different setup, all the comments I've heard from Leeds fans is very encouraging so I'm expecting good things. Great performance from the lads especially second half and was impressed by Ladepo's work rate but we still look lightweight up front imo. But it was only the first game and we did come away with a point which is an improvement on last season. I watched the EFL highlights last night and some teams looked very together and yes I know they were only highlights but I don't think we are going to have it all our way playing against them. Looking forward to the next game.

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FransFan added 12:56 - Jul 31 Decent performance against a good side. The squad we have is a good bet for automatic promotion. With the addition of a selfish striker with a laser-sharp focus on scoring, we're certs for a top 2 finish.
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greenkingtone added 12:56 - Jul 31 Sorry we didn't get the winner but an exciting aftenoon witht the great support. I have to mention the "big" screen. From the east stand north end, it was almost invisible. A man mountain sat in the next seat and the information was unreadable. Too much information crammed on a screen not much larger than the tele in my sitting room. The old score board just showed the time played and the team was not displayed. It would also be helpful to see the time added counting down too. Moan over,

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RobinHood added 14:41 - Jul 31 Lets get totally positive and show that we mean business by buying Hurst from Leicester for £1m plus.
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Carberry added 15:24 - Jul 31 So many people happy with a draw against a side that might be in the top 6 at the end of the season. With what we have spent, the squad assembled, the strong performances in pre season (says the manager), we should be winning these games. Our weakness is we aren't prolific enough, we don't score enough goals, whether that's service or finishing it needs to be addressed because it's teams that find the net regularly which succeed. Should have, would have, could have isn't going to cut it any longer. McK is under pressure to get this right - how long before the call comes to play 2 up front?

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Nobby_2021 added 15:34 - Jul 31 First game of a very long season! Give em a chance peeps!
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midastouch added 16:57 - Jul 31 My main observation yesterday is an obvious one, that is Morsy looked a cut above everybody else on the pitch. He can't do it all on his own though, he needs a bit of help. He was playing lots of clever balls and making some lovely movement. If we had x2 Sam Morsy I'd be a lot more confident of automatic promotion. Also loved his attitude before a ball had been picked waving a lot of kids sitting in the stands and smiling and blowing kisses, essentially making it perfectly clear that he is proud to represent our club as captain. Can't fault his attitude, effort and quality one bit yesterday.

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midastouch added 16:59 - Jul 31 * Also loved Morsy's attitude before a ball had been kicked waving at lots of kids sitting in the stands and smiling and blowing kisses, essentially making it perfectly clear that he is proud to represent our club as captain.
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GAZ1234 added 08:18 - Aug 1 Had to fight hard to gain control, after Bolton pressed and made it difficult. Our substitutes made a difference , with their quality & fresh legs. I feel that the quality of our squad will make the difference over the course of a long season. (It's a marathon not a sprint) With regards to the score board, will ITFC conduct a fans survey as I and many around me in the North Stand could not read a word - Font was far too small

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MickMillsTash added 12:06 - Aug 1 Opportunity lost after Bolton legs failed, very different game at the Reebok I fear. We ended a clear 4-2-3-1, but only Burns and Jackson who I would expect to find the net- no idea on Jules Do we have enough goal scorers in the team (squad) ? A lot seems to rest on Ladapo and any new signings, A little early - and a bit Mick - but is 4-4-1-1 and signing a goalscoring number 10 in the Mcgoldrick role where we need to be heading? is the Wolf at right Back for some better quality and Burgess on the left of the centre halves (height at set peices) worth exploring- would feel sorry for Donacien. Decent performance, Room for optimism, feels like a big game on Saturday.

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