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Saturday 19 July 2003 - Twerton Park - kick off 3.00pm Friendly 
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| half-time: 1-0 | result: D1-1 | attendance: 420 |
| team: | Bryant, Coupe, Shore, Howarth, Trought, Rollo (c), Bennett (Bridges 72), Harvey (Jefferies 69), Eaton (Milsom 65), Tweddle (Cleverley 45), Williams (Spring 78). subs not used: none |
| man of the match: | Mike Trought |
| scorers: | Bennett (8) |
| bookings: | none |
| officials: | S Tanner (Bristol), S Beer (Radstock), K Cartwright (Bristol) |
| league position: n/a | form: ----WD | next match: Swansea (H) |
After the comparatively gentle opening friendly against Brislington, City were given a much sterner test against Nationwide Third Division opponents Torquay United. However, with Mike Trought and trialist centre-back Adam Howarth in particular producing excellent displays it was City would almost snatched a moral-boosting victory. The full-strength Gulls only grabbing an equaliser seven minutes from time. In contrast to the victory over Brislington four days earlier Howarth was the only new face in a familiar looking City line-up.
A quiet start to the game was soon forgotten as City took the lead from their first meaningful attack after eight minutes. Andy Williams’ first centre was cleared back to him but the second effort picked out Frankie Bennett. His header lacked power but not accuracy and it bounced just inside the post. This woke the visitors up and soon their neat passing began to stretch City. The first opening they created came after good work by Hankin and Russell, only for Gritton to fire over the bar on 15 minutes. A mistake by Hockley gave Steve Tweddle a sight of the Torquay goal five minutes later, his shot drifting well wide, but this was a rare venture forward. A brilliant block by Trought denied Gritton on 29 minutes and just before the interval Taylor headed a good chance wide.
City made one change at half-time, Dan Cleverley replacing Tweddle. Just two minutes after the restart Trought again came to City’s rescue, clearing a goalmouth scramble. Increasingly influential on maintaining City’s advantage was keeper Mark Bryant. Saves from Benefield and Kuffour were fairly routine but he then produced a stunning stop from Russell’s point-blank volley. City did win a free-kick 35-yards out just before the hour mark but van Heusden was equal to Drew Shore’s shot. As the half wore on Torquay continued to dominate possession but more and more were forced into hopeful long range shots that failed to trouble Bryant, although one such effort from Canoville did strike the crossbar. Just when it appeared City would hold out for the win United levelled. Camara held the ball up in the City box before laying it off to Kuffour, his low shot giving Bryant no chance. Hankin almost grabbed a winner minutes later, Bryant again saving well, but this would have been harsh on City.