Who stood out and what happened as Bristol City beat Bournemouth for unbeaten pre-season

Bristol City concluded their pre-season schedule with a goalless draw against Premier League opposition AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Chris Martin’s early second-half penalty after Andi Weimann was fouled was the difference as the Robins made for an unbeaten pre-season campaign.

Nigel Pearson's side won four of their six friendly matches with the win against the Cherries being the pick of the bunch in a solid showing against a top-flight side.

The Robins will now turn their attentions to their season opener away at Hull City next on Saturday, July 30, hoping to continued the momentum they have built up over the last month.

Summer signing Kane Wilson was absent through a slight knock, Tomas Kalas continued to step up his recovery away from the pitch, whilst player-coach Andy King was rested.

Han-Noah Massengo managed to get himself fit enough to begin on the bench after being withdrawn against Exeter City but Duncan Idehen missed out.

What happened

It was a bright start from City who held their defensive shape well and were able to move into the opposition half. Scott put Mark Travers into work as he met Mark Sykes’ cross-field ball with a back-post shot but was denied.

Scott’s chance opened up the game as on the left-hand side Ryan Christie whipped a cross in that just skimmed over the head of Dominic Solanke. Daniel Bentley was put into action then as from a simple through ball, he turned and shot low at the goalkeeper, who gathered the ball well.

Gaps in the defence ontinued to show in City’s defence with Sykes having to clear off the line and Bentley scooping the ball away after Ryan Christie’s low effort.

After a manic few moments, City were able to come out of Bournemouth’s attacking phase with their goal unbreached but did have to withstand having to work hard off-of-the-ball as the hosts dominated.

Scott - on his first start of pre-season - made himself some space for another opportunity but his low effort snuck the other side of Travers.

An opportunity to take the lead was presented to City which they took. Martin, making amends for his missed penalty against Cheltenham, slammed his spot-kick after Andi Weimann had been pulled down by Chris Mepham.

After an hour of play and one eye on next Saturday on what may be close to the starting XI for Hull City, six changes were made to the two made 15 minutes earlier. Bentley, Jay DaSilva and Scott were afforded extended playing time as they built up their minutes.

Kieffer Moore was introduced and his first task was to try and beat Bentley but the latter did well to stop his low-driven effort.

City then had to hold firm from set pieces - where they were vulnerable last season - watching the towering Lerma head over from a troubling corner kick.

Bournemouth pressure continued with Bentley clawing away a Moore cross that Stanislas’ could have turned home.

Towards the latter stages of the match, City’s much-changed and youthful side had to contend until the final whistle with a fairly settled Bournemouth side. An over-the-top-ball from Stanislas found Moore in a good area but Bentley again held firm.

Who stood out

Alex Scott: There was a choice on whether to play the teenager at wing-back in the absence of Kane Wilson or in the ten. Pearson opted to play him in his more natural position and in the first-half he was City’s most creative player.

Mark Sykes: No Kane Wilson meant that someone had to be tried at wing-back and it was one of the summer signings. Sykes did well both defensively and attacking wise against strong opposition. He almost set Scott up for a goal and also got back on the line to deny a certain goal, showing a good attitude in pre-season.

Han-Noah Massengo: He may not have started the match but the Frenchman came on and looked composed in the centre of the park. All the defensive minded mindefielders had been subbed off so his task was to protect the back-line. Masengo did just that, holding on to possession well when under the challenge of his opponents.

Who has work to do

Timm Klose: It was interesting that Vyner was fancied ahead of Klose with perhaps this serving as an audition for Vyner to prove his worth.

The Swiss international was brought on at half-time and had 15 minutes with a mainly settled side before a flurry of changes. Usually Klose is a calm presence in defence but he conceded a number of cheap fouls and was loose in possession.

It can be seen as it just being a pre-season match but there could be question marks on whether he starts next week given he was a substitute today.

Starting XI’s

AFC Bournemouth: Mark Travers, Lewis Cook (Jaidon Anthony, 62), Chris Mepham (Kieffer Moore, 62), Jefferson Lerma, Dominic Solanke, Ryan Christie (Junior Stanislas), Joe Rothwell (Jack Stacey, 70), Adam Smith, James Hill, Phillip Billing, Jordan Zemura

Bristol City: Daniel Bentley, Zak Vyner (Timm Klose), Kai Naismith (Ryley Towler), Rob Atkinson (George Tanner), Mark Sykes (Raphael Araoye), Matty James (Sam Bell), Joe Williams (Han-Noah Massengo), Jay Dasilva, Alex Scott (Dylan Kadji), Andi Weimann (Tommy Conway), Chris Martin (Nahki Wells).