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Friday 16 July 2004 - Twerton Park - kick off 7.30pm
Friendly
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| half-time: 0-0 |
result: D0-0 |
attendance: 1778 |
| team: |
Evans (Giannangelo 45), Jones (Rollo 65), Radcliffe, Bailey (Monelle 65), Coupe, Ford (c),
Benefield, Owers (Taylor 65), Tweddle (Hulbert 65), Stevens (Klukowski 75), Milton (Harvey 65). subs not used: none |
| man of the match: |
Dean Stevens |
| scorers: |
none |
| bookings: |
none |
| officials: |
not known |
| league position: n/a |
form: ----Ld |
next match: Yeovil (H) |
City's second pre-season outing saw them again face a stern test from league opposition but, in contrast to the 6-0 defeat
against Reading, they withstood all Bristol Rovers could throw at them to come out with a creditable 0-0 draw. The Coca-Cola
League Two side dominated possession for long periods but with likely first-choice centre-back pairing Sam Bailey and Matt
Coupe playing for over an hour, plus an impressive performance from trialist left-back Simon Radcliffe, they failed to
turn this domination into goals. With Scott Partridge and Mike Trought still injured and Graeme Power and John Williams
unavailable City gave a first outing to new signing Jimmy Benefield and switched Dean Stevens up front alongside Steve
Tweddle.
Rovers began well and pushed City back from the early stages, although it was clear that they weren't going to cut through
their back line as easily as Reading had three days earlier. A long range effort from Forrester flew over in the opening
minutes and then Savage failed to get a diving header on target. Several other promising build-ups ended with strong
defending from Coupe and Bailey. This was forcing Rovers into more ambitious long-range efforts. Savage cleared the bar by
a couple of yards midway through the half before Paul Evans, making his pre-season bow, was forced into a save, tipping a Forrester
shot over the bar. Forrester saw another couple of chances come and go before the half-time interval. As with Tuesday's game
against Reading, City's front two worked hard but had little service with which to feed off.
Evans was withdrawn at half-time for former Forest Green keeper Chris Giannangelo and he had a nervous moment when he spilled
Haldane's shot but Walker failed to convert the loose ball. Walker also wasted another opening from just inside the area.
City were beginning to see more of the ball with Benefield and Stevens looking lively. One run by the former just before the
hour mark ended with him being tripped a yard outside the area. Unfortunately Russell Milton could only tamely hit the free-kick
into the wall. Shortly afterwards what little momentum City were building was disrupted by a series of substitutions. Amonst
the six changes made by the home side was the introduction of another trialist, ex-Mangotsfield United and Clevedon Town
striker James Taylor. Rovers almost grabbed a late winner but Radcliffe capped a promising appearance by clearing Trollope's
header off the goalline two minutes from time. That capped a good night all round for City as the game was watched by an
incredible friendly crowd of 1778, boosted obviously by a large turnout from Pirates fans returning to their former home.
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