Cotterill Hails Community Match Success

The Sky Bet League One champions faced teams from Brislington and Keynsham Town in each half, following on from successful fixtures against Portishead Town and Ashton & Backwell United in seasons gone by.

This time around, goals from Korey Smith (two), Bobby Reid and Marlon Pack fired City into a 4-0 half-time lead on a wet pitch – the latter scoring from the penalty spot against hosts Brislington.

A younger City XI added a late fifth through Ash Harper after Wes Burns had seen a penalty saved by Keynsham goalkeeper Ashley Wintle.

“It was a really good run out,” Cotterill told Bristol City Player HD. “Obviously when you play two different teams there’s always a stop start part of the game when teams are feeling each other out.

“Last year we had a boiling hot day but the rain was good and probably helped the football for both teams, so it was a good game and a good day all round.

“Days like today belong to Brislington and Keynsham – that’s what this is all about – and for our supporters to come along and get a good look at the players.

“You want to come out of it with no injuries. We’ve got everything that we wanted out of the game and more.

“It was successful for us last year and it’s been successful this year. We hope that Brislington and Keynsham got the same. Well done to their boys, they worked extremely hard today.”

The City boss declared himself pleased with the early progress of his double-winning squad since returning for pre-season training last Wednesday.

“We’re very happy with them,” the manager continued. “They’re good professionals and they look after themselves.

“They’ve had a very difficult week and they were a bit sore yesterday, so coming into today we were wondering how they would be. But the starting point from all of the boys has been excellent.”

Cotterill confirmed Frank Fielding will feature against Bath City at Twerton Park on Friday night (7pm).

Last season’s ever-present goalkeeper was rested for yesterday’s game as youngsters Max O’Leary and Jojo Wollacott were handed 45 minutes apiece.