Saturday 31 July 2004 - Twerton Park - kick off 3.10pm Friendly

The start of the game was delayed for 10 minutes due to the late arrival of a number of Mansfield players and when the sides finally took to the pitch City’s side showed one new face in the shape of latest trialist Tom Jordan, a centre-back and son of former Bristol City star Joe Jordan. The sides last met in an FA Cup 3rd Round tie back in 1988 and in that game City gifted Town a goal in the opening minutes. Fast forward 16 years and they nearly repeated the mistake. Just two minutes had passed when O’Neill tried to find Larkin in the City box. His attempt was intercepted by Matt Coupe but he then inexplicably passed the ball straight to Corden. Fortunately, his shot flew wildly over the bar. Four minutes later Larkin glanced a header narrowly wide as Mansfield continued to test City. This bright opening to the game then saw John Williams twice try his luck from outside the area, the second effort forcing former Manchester United keeper Pilkington into his first save of the match. Moments later Williams turned provider, crossing for Steve Tweddle to send a header just the wrong side of the post under pressure from two defenders. At the other end MacKenzie shot wide after a strong run and Larkin stretched to volley a Williamson cross against the post. Coupe redeemed himself after 29 minutes for his early error by denying Corden at the last moment and then Justin Shuttlewood blocked O’Neill’s close range follow up. However, two minutes later the visitors finally found the net. Williamson flicked on a Corden cross for O’Neill to fire home from eight yards out. Then Corden almost set up MacKenzie for a second Mansfield goal. The half ended with City nearly grabbing an unexpected equaliser, Tweddle sending in a dipping 30-yard effort then flew inches over the bar.

In the hot conditions it was no surprise that both sides made a number of half-time changes. Amongst City’s were two further trialists, Richard Lamacraft and Grant Monelle. The second half was less than two minutes old when O’Neill continued his impressive performance by bringing another save out of Shuttlewood with a neat header. Despite the changes Town were still creating a number of chances. O’Neill failed to find a teammate after beating Steve Jones, Shuttlewood turned a Larkin shot around the post and then the same player lifted a shot over the bar from just six yards. City almost made them pay for these misses when Jordan tried to cheekily backheel a Ford cross-shot past Pilkington. The second goal arrived at last with 14 minutes remaining when Asamoah cut inside Jones and beat Shuttlewood at his near post. There was still time for City’s keeper to produce two further good saves from MacKenzie, one a long range effort tipped over the bar and then a well-struck free-kick that he got down to well. The only other event of note in the final ten minutes was the first pre-season appearance of defender Mike Trought. The former Bristol Rovers player, who has been struggling with a knee injury, came through his brief cameo unscathed including one crunching block tackle.