Jarvis double enough to see off Robins

City recorded their second pre-season victory in three days at Twerton Park this evening, beating Cheltenham Town 2-1 thanks to a second half brace from Nat Jarvis. With experienced defender Darren Jones making his first appearance of the summer City more than matched their higher league opponents during an entertaining first half. Trialist keeper Matt Cafer continued to impress with three fine stops, whilst Marvin Morgan, Nick McCootie and Jamie Lucas all has chances at the other end of the pitch. The opening exchanges of the second half saw Jarvis glance a header narrowly wide then Andy Watkins force Robins keeper Lovett into a smart save at his near post. However, on 59 minutes the same two players combined for the opening goal. Watkins burst across the box only to be sent flying by Lovett’s attempt to claim the ball and Jarvis fired the penalty home despite the keeper getting a hand to the ball. The lead lasted lest than two minutes though as Winchester’s low free-kick went through a crowd of players and under an unsighted Cafer. Within four minutes City regained the lead when McCootie made space down the left before firing in a cross for Jarvis to send a diving header into the net. This turned out to be the winning goal, although Cheltenham were only denied a last minute equaliser by Anthony Straker’s goalline clearance from Forster’s looping effort.