Rovers youngsters entertained a skilful, lively and well-organised Bristol City Youth Team at a sunny Winterfield Road.

From the off, City pressed and the Rovers lads worked extremely hard to match their professional opponents. The game moved from end to end and the deadlock was broken on seventeen minutes, when a good passing move from City saw them quickly break into the Rovers' eighteen-yard box and the ball driven into the roof of the net, giving the young Rovers' stopper, Owen Knight, no chance in the Rovers' goal, 0–1.

Rovers continued to work hard and were trying to push forward to the speedy Amari Hylton and Rhys Cook, but City's slick movement and quick-passing game restricted Rovers movement towards the City goal.

Rovers' midfield and defence battled to keep the City attacks at bay and all looked comfortable, until, disappointingly, two goals were conceded in succession. Both should have been dealt with and cleared by the Rovers rearguard. Rovers made a number of half-time changes and they started the second half in determined fashion, matching their City counterparts in all departments.However, on the hour, Rovers conceded a further sloppy goal, with the ball in their possession, a poor clearance fell to a City player's feet and he made no mistake in driving the ball home from fifteen yards to make it 4–0.

The Rovers boys did not drop their heads and this spurred new life into the youngsters and they were starting to press forward, forcing a couple of smart saves from the City keeper.

Rovers gained their just reward on 75 minutes, when a fine passing move and fine throughball found the feet of Rhys Cook. Rhys burst into the City box and stylishly slid the ball past the advancing keeper and into the Bristol City net, 4–1.

Both sides continued to press for the remainder of the game, but no further goals were added and City ran out 4–1 winners. This was a fine workout for the Paulton lads against quality opposition. The Management Team were extremely pleased with the attitude and performance of the whole squad, which is shaping well for the new season.

Friendlies: Sunday, 4th August, Hengrove Athletic Tournament, from 11 a.m. Tuesday, 13th August, Interhound FC, kick-off 7 p.m. Sunday, 18th August, kick-off 2 p.m., versus Bristol Rovers Youth.

Lorne Wilkinson