Optimism was in the air at Portman Road as Town began their fourth attempt at promotion from League One, but things did not go to plan as new signing Leif Davis gave away a penalty which Aaron Morley converted to give Wanderers a deserved lead. .
Town struggled to get going during a difficult first half but drew level by the interval as a clever set-up routine saw Evans convert well from Conor Chaplin’s low corner. Big pre-kick off messages at Portman Road – Credit: Pagepix Ltd From then on, Kieran McKenna’s men controlled the game and had the better of the game in the second period, but could not find the second goal that the 26,000-strong Portman Road crowd craved.
McKenna’s second-half changes gave Town a fresh edge as Kayden Jackson’s pace and the guile of Tyreece John-Jules and Sone Aluko asked Bolton fresh questions, but the visitors held firm as both sides walked away with a degree. Next up for Ipswich is a trip to Forest Green Rovers, to face one of last season’s promoted sides. McKenna went with the same team that started at Millwall in the Blues’ penultimate pre-season friendly, except at left-back, where Davis came straight into the Ipswich side for his debut. Freddie Ladapo and Marcus Harness also started at the first time of asking, with the rest of the side the core of last season’s squad. Christian Walton was in goal behind Janoi Donacien, George Edmundson and Luke Woolfenden, with player of the year Wes Burns on the right. Sam Morsy and Evans were in midfield, with Dominic Ball injured and Chaplin linking up with Harness and Ladapo. Leif Davis on his debut against Bolton at Portman Road – Credit: Pagepix Ltd But it was the visitors who got the blocks out quicker, winning an early corner and then finding space for Declan John to send in a shot that had to be blocked behind Donacien. An Ipswich break saw Evans play a ball over the top for Ladapo to chase down, which Bolton keeper James Trafford just stretched to get his head to clear the danger. The stopper was involved again soon after, with a poor clearance straight at Burns, which saw big defender Ricardo Santos head back as he was forced to defend the Welshman’s cross. Burns was again the cross as he spun free down the right, following up a fine one-two with Chaplin, but his low ball couldn’t find Harnis before the Blues fell behind. Bolton enjoyed regular spells of pressure throughout the first 25 minutes and finally called it quits when Conor Bradley ran onto the toes of Davies, with the City man bringing him down in the box and prompting referee Samuel Barrett to point to the spot. . Morley made no mistake as Walton went the right way but couldn’t hold onto the well-taken shot. It was a lead the visitors deserved and it looked like they could add to it as they continued to apply pressure, although Town looked dangerous at times on the break, with Chaplin having a shot brilliantly blocked by George Johnston as the Town striker fired a missile. which seemed destined for the net.
Lee Evans celebrates scoring against Bolton at Portman Road – Credit: Pagepix Ltd Ladapo, who had worked hard for little reward, had a clipped shot blocked behind a corner which soon led to Town’s first goal of the season. It was a perfectly choreographed routine from the training ground as Chaplin’s low ball into the box was perfect for Evans, who curled his shot into the top corner of the net.
The goal came as frustrations, both on and off, began to mount, with the Blues struggling to settle into the possession comfort we’ve become accustomed to under McKenna.
A fine opening saw Burns and Morsi combine to give Ladapo the chance to shoot from inside the box, but the striker’s effort fell into the grateful hands of Trafford.
The sides went level at the break, with Town perhaps lucky to be level, but the Blues got to the front and soon created an opening as Chaplin fired over the top.
Chaplin and Evans tried the same corner routine that led to Ipswich’s goal early in the second period, only for Evans’ shot to be deflected back, before the pair linked up again from the next corner, only for the Welshman’s header to be clipped . away from Trafford. Marcus Harness on his Ipswich debut against Bolton at Portman Road – Credit: Pagepix Ltd McKenna returned to his bench for the first time on 59 minutes, with Tyreece John-Jules and Greg Leigh replacing Harness and Davis, with Leigh involved almost immediately with a superb defensive header to take the ball from Bradley in far beam. The left-back then threatened at the other end, with a right-footed volley from outside the box which wasn’t too far as it flew over the bar, before Burns had a shot saved after a lovely touch from John-Jules. him in the area.
McKenna’s second round of changes saw the Town boss introduce Kayden Jackson and Sone Aluko, in place of Ladapo and Chaplin, with Jackson quickly involved as he charged another late clearance from Trafford. Fortunately for Bolton, the ball landed safely. John-Jules turned well inside the box but couldn’t get the shot off to finish off a smart move, but Town’s big chance in the closing stages came in stoppage time when Burns’ break down the right ended with Morsy hits a shot from inside. the box he really should have converted. Trafford were grateful for the chance to make the save which, in the end, saw his side walk away with a point.
IPSWICH TOWN (3-4-2-1): Walton; Donacien, Woolfenden, Edmundson; Burns, Evans, Morsi, Davies (Lee 59); Chaplin (Aluko 71), Harness (John-Jules 59); Ladapo (Jackson 71). Supporters: Hladky, Burgess, Harper. Booking: Davis (43), Woolfenden (75). BOLTON WANDERERS (3-4-1-2): Trafford? Jones, Saints, Johnston; Bradley, Williams, Morley (Thomason 83), John; Lee (Bakayoko 70); Charles (Bodvarsson 77), Afolayan (Forward 77). Subs: Emson, Chantlier, Iredale. Booked: John (33), Bradley (63). Referee: Samuel Barrott. Attendances: 26,688 (1,392).