Narrow Robins loss opens City pre-season

City opened their 2024/25 pre-season campaign with a 3-2 defeat against Cheltenham Town at Twerton Park this evening.

The League 2 side named a strong starting XI for their second pre-season outing and had the ball in the net within a minute of the start only for an offside flag to rule out Taylor’s close range finish. They continued to enjoy the better of the opening exchanges – although twice City saw dangerous breaks halted by fouls earning Pett and Pell rare friendly cautions – and on 19 minutes a high boot from Elliott Frear on Kinsella saw them win a penalty. Taylor dispatched the spot kick into the top corner. City began to enjoy more possession as the half progressed and on the stroke of half-time the ball broke to Sol Wanjau-Smith in the box to stroke it past Evans for the equaliser.

The visitors made nine changes at the break – including the introduction of former Roman Jordan Thomas. And they were back in front on 63 minutes when Dulson’s cross was converted from close range by a un-numbered trialist. City responded within a minute as Ewan Clark crossed for Scott Wilson to make it 2-2 from six yards. Wilson was then denied by a smart stop by Day but it was Cheltenham who netted what turned out to be the winning goal on 69 minutes. Thomas showed the skill that secured him a move to the Robins with a great run and cross that King fired home.