Tiptree United 0 Ipswich Town 5JORDAN Rhodes emphasised the strength in depth that Jim Magilton is building at Ipswich Town, hitting two at Tiptree.

Derek Davis

Tiptree United 0 Ipswich Town 5

JORDAN Rhodes emphasised the strength in depth that Jim Magilton is building at Ipswich Town.

Billy Clarke and Dan Harding were the other stand outs in the comfortable victory at promoted Ridgeon Premier League Tiptree United.

Rhodes scored twice and hit the inside of a post, while Richard Naylor hit the crossbar in a first half onslaught, while Bruce nodded in a third in their win at Chapel Road.

Rhodes got the goals he deserved, not just in this game but for his whole pre-season work, and might have had a lot more but for some dogged defending.

His first, after 11 minutes, was a calm finish in a one on one situation that came after more good work from a busy attacking Town midfield that out-numbered and out-manoeuvred Tiptree.

The second, four minutes before the break, was again the culmination of a good build up involving Dan Harding and Rhodes' low finish from the edge of the area was as emphatic as it was accurate.

Bruce, by now wearing the skipper's armband with Naylor wearing it first half, headed Town's third with a perfectly timed run to meet Harding's corner, four minutes after the break.

Jack Ainsley finished from close range after more good work from Clarke to make it four and the little Irishman was rewarded for his outstanding contribution with a late goal from a low Harding cross.

Jam-makers keeper Aaron Benstead made some excellent saves to deny Rhodes, Clarke and Bowditch.

When he was beaten again by Rhodes the ball crashed back from the inside of a post and Benstead was relieved to see a Naylor shot come back off the crossbar.

Liam Trotter and Harding drove over the bar, while substitute Ed Upson headed wide across goal moments after replacing Jaime Peters.

Harding was playing his first pre-season game of the summer after being left out for personal reasons which will remain private at the player's request for the time being.

The Jam-makers boss Colin Wallington was delighted Town played the game as agreed last year and the all of the starting XI, which included three full current internationals and four under-21s, have played in the Blues first team.

Wallington said: “I would like to thank Jim Magilton and his management team for staying true to their word and bringing his side to face us as recompense for the unfortunate situation which arose last season and ultimately resulted in our ejection from both the FA Cup and FA Vase competitions due to no fault of our own.

“It's a pity that the other league club involved in the saga, Northampton Town, has not been quite so forthcoming and supportive.”

Tiptree United: Benstead (Other, 65) Watson, Murfet (Manning, 55) White, Shade (Hill, 60) Gaisford (Inglis, 51) Rochester (Noble, 51) Owen (Belcher, 60) Arlick, English (Hill, 55) Townrow. All subs not used:

Ipswich Town: Supple, Casement, Naylor (Upson, 46) Bruce (Watson, 61) Harding, Peters (Robinson, 60), Trotter, Shumulikoski (Reason, 61), Clarke, Rhodes (Ainsley, 67) Bowditch. Subs not used: Ward.