Goals from Tommy Smith, Jason Scotland and Josh Carson saw the Blues to a 3-1 victory over Den Bosch in their second and final pre-season friendly in Holland. Town were two goals in front at half-time but faded after the break, Daan Van Dinter pulling a goal back for the home side before Tamás Priskin added the Blues’ third late on.

Town boss Paul Jewell gave Lee Bowyer and Michael Chopra their first starts for the Blues - who were wearing the old red away kit from a couple of years ago - with Carlos Edwards returning at right-back after his hip injury. New defender Ívar Ingimarsson remained on the sidelines with his thigh problem.

In conditions more Den Splosch than Den Bosch after several days’ rain, the game’s first chance fell to the home side in the eighth minute, former Shrewsbury man Benjamin Van Der Broek diverting a cross from the right deep into the empty stand behind Márton Fülöp’s goal.

Town’s first opportunity came a couple of minutes later after an error by Jordens Peters, the home side’s skipper having been caught out by the very fast surface and letting in Lee Martin but keeper Kevin Begois came off his line quickly to deny the Blues winger.

The visitors weren’t too far away from a goal on the quarter hour, Chopra holding up a ball into his feet inside the box and laying it back to Jason Scotland, whose shot was tipped wide.

Scotland again came close in the 22nd minute, his strike from the edge of the box deflecting over off a defender. From the resultant corner, the Blues went in front. Grant Leadbitter, again skippering the side, sent the ball in from the right and Tommy Smith rose unchallenged to powerfully head home.

Chopra went close on 25 when Jordens Peters was again caught out by the pace of the pitch, this time allowing the former Cardiff man to get in a shot which flew narrowly across the face of goal.

On 29 Mohamed El Makrini forced Fülöp into a save down to his right from the edge of the box, then at the other end Scotland cut in from left but Begois blocked. Seven minutes later, Leadbitter confused Begois with a low shot which wobbled in the air and then sped off the turf.

The Blues increased their lead in the 42nd minute when Bowyer brought the ball forward towards the area and played an inch-perfect pass for Scotland, who was making a superb run into the left of the area. The Trinidad and Tobago international made no mistake as he hit a shot across Bejois and into the net.

Town boss Paul Jewell will have been happy with his side’s first half performance. They had adjusted to the tricky conditions far better than the Dutchmen, who are managed by former Manchester City man Alfons Groenendijk, and after the first five minutes had rarely given them a sniff. Michael Chopra and Jason Scotland combined well with both looking a threat.

The first chance of the second half fell to the home team, Ronnie Reniers crossing from the right and Jeffrey Vlug and Ralf Seuntjens having a number of attempts at goal between them, half-time sub Jack Ainsley eventually heading a looping Vlug effort behind for a corner. Moments later, Gevaro Nepomuceno shot over from 25 yards.

Town had been less impressive since the break and the home side should have pulled a goal back on 66 when Tommy Smith failed to spot Vlug behind him when he passed the ball back to Fülöp. The Hungarian keeper was left stranded but the Den Bosch midfielder took so long over the chance that that the Blues glovesman was able to get back and block with his foot.

Leadbitter managed Town’s first shot of the half two minutes later but failed to significantly trouble Begois.

The home side scored the goal their second half performance probably deserved in the 75th minute, Márton Fülöp hesitating and then missing Nepomuceno’s corner from the right as it bounced across the area and Daan Van Dinter stooped to head into the net.

Town gradually got on top again as the match entered its final 10 minutes and with four minutes remaining, Priskin hit a low shot from just outside the area which beat Bejois down to his left to seal the 3-1 win.

The Blues had been less impressive in the second half, the Dutch side strengthening their team after the break. Paul Jewell’s men caused themselves problems with needless errors and failed to keep hold of ball but came more into it again late on and Priskin took his opportunity well when it came.

Overall, Jewell is likely to be pleased with the trip overall with Michael Chopra perhaps the standout performer for his two goals at Eindhoven and another impressive performance today.

Town: Fülöp, Edwards (Ainsley 46), Kennedy (Cresswell 63), Smith, Delaney, Leadbitter, Carson, Bowyer (Healy 46), Scotland (Ellington 46), Chopra (Priskin 63), Martin (Drury 63). Unused: Lee-Barrett, Hyam, Civelli, Hourihane, Peters.

Story syndicated from TWTD.co.uk

Photo: Action Images

Leeds United Polls