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

Derek Davis

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 side 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 which came about after more good work from a busy attacking Town midfield that outnumbered 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 a couple of excellent saves, to deny Rhodes and Clarke - and one with his feet to thwart 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 header 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.”

Last night's teams

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.