City on the Case again to defeat returning Rovers

City completed their home pre-season friendlies this evening with another encouraging performance as a Ryan Case header midway through the second half was enough to overcome Bristol Rovers. The visitors had two early chances that were well saved by keeper Oliver Davies but City more than matched the League One side as the half progressed. Twice they had free-kicks on the edge of the Rovers box but Darren Jones blasted the first high and wide before Toby Ajala got his effort on target but without the power to trouble Slocombe. In-between these opportunities McGlade wasted the clearest chance for the Pirates, blasting the ball against the bar after rounding Davis. The half ended with Slocome producing a great full-length save to keep out Jones’ header. City made five changes at the break and it looked as if one of the new players, Nick McCootie, had won a penalty on 52 minutes when he was felled by Bola but referee Mr Yianni waved away the appeals. Both sides continued to create chances but it was City who broke the deadlock on 72 minutes. Marvin Morgan did well to hold the ball up before crossing for Case to direct his header over Slocombe into the top corner. The closest Rovers came to denying City a fourth successive pre-season win was in the closing minutes but substitute keeper Luke Southwood produced a fine double save to keep out Broom’s toe-poke and Gaffney’s follow-up shot.