City open pre-season with Robins defeat

Three goals in the opening fifteen minutes of the second half saw City begin their pre-season campaign with a defeat against Bristol City at a wet Twerton Park this evening. The visitors – with two pre-season games already under their belt – enjoyed the majority of possession in an open first half, with Reid shooting narrowly wide and Hinds forcing a low save from Max O-Leary during the opening half hour. City’s best chance came when Nick McCootie won the ball from Magnusson down the right but he could only shoot across goal from a narrow angle. O’Leary tipped another Reid effort over as half-time approached but on 48 minutes a swift break forward saw Reid just reach the ball ahead of O’Leary and go over the keeper’s outstretched leg. Premier League referee Kevin Friend pointed to the spot from where Paterson fired the ball high into the right side of the net. Barely 60 seconds more had elasped when Paterson turned provider for Reid to loop a header over O’Leary. Ten minutes later ex-City full-back Bryan latched onto Hegeler’s pass to slide home goal number three. The Robins continued to push City back but substitue goalkeeper Cafer produced a couple of fine saves and showed good handled despite the tricky conditions to prevent any further scoring.