Bristol City opened their pre-season account with a hard-fought victory over Cheltenham, although they had to be patient against their League One opponents.
The Robins, who had new signings Kane Wilson, Mark Sykes and Kal Naismith all starting from the off, dominated the play for large periods but struggled to create much of a cutting edge also denied by a handful of really smart saves from stopper Max Harris.
Striker Chris Martin should have opened the scoring from the penalty spot minutes into the second half but he ballooned his effort way over the crossbar. Perhaps with City's penalty record last season, he could be excused for looking a little rusty from 12-yards.
City made wholesale changes on the hour mark with the entire outfield switched, only captain Dan Bentley retaining his spot in goal and they didn't have to wait long to finally open the scoring.
Cam Pring burst forward on the left and his powerful low cross eluded everyone except young wing-back George Tanner who showed excellent composure to drill the ball into the back of the net.
Here's the three standout players from City's 1-0 victory over Wade Elliots' side.
Kane Wilson
He came within inches of handing of scoring with his first touch as a Bristol City player as he snuck around the back of the defence and latched onto Sykes' pass only for the keeper to deny him with his legs.
Almost instantly, Wilson showed what he can offer City in an attacking sense. When they had the ball, he was almost playing as an extra forward, hugging the right touchline and looking to pick up the ball in advanced positions.
Firstly, he's already a massive upgrade on what City were dealing with from a wing-back perspective and judging by this performance, there's a real chance he could become one of the top assist makers in the Championship next season.
His crosses were pinpoint and if it wasn't for a couple of really smart saves from keeper Max Harris, he should have had a couple of assists to his name. It's clear his strengths lie further forward and his deliveries from the right caused havoc for the opposition defence with Williams and Nahki Wells close to profiting.
Defensively, he wasn't given much of an issue although Cheltenham did try and exploit his attacking intent by overloading a man on that left side to try and catch him out of position. It almost proved successful once but Dan Bentley showed smart reflexes to make a save across goal and it may be an occurring theme for opposition managers throughout the season.
Joe Williams
The midfielder looked exceptionally fit, which will be a welcome relief for City and Nigel Pearson have notched 60 minutes under his belt.
His role alongside Matty James was an interesting one with Williams tasked with pulling the strings in midfield, his team-mates specifically picking him out to help start the moves from his own half.
While James was tasked with breaking up play and offering an extra option, Williams would drop deeper looking for the ball and looking to get City ticking going forward. When he had the ball at his feet, James would often saunter into a more advanced position.
He was vocal, constantly looking to pick out that ball on the right with Wilson stationed on the right touchline. Once he played that ball forward, he was get himself into a more advanced position trying to influence the side's attack.
Williams should have scored, only denied by an impressive save from keeper Max Harris from close range. Wilson again with the ball from the right and the midfielder, who initially sparked the attack by intercepting the ball high up the field, saw his downward header scooped over the crossbar.
He was denied yet again in the second half when he thought to have opened the scoring with his effort appearing to creep into the corner, but the keeper would come up trumps for the second time.
It's vital Williams can stay fit throughout the pre-season and hit the new season running and there was no questions over his performance or influence on the contest during his hour cameo.
Kal Naismith
His deafening voice was a common theme throughout the contest. Despite being a new arrival, he's not afraid to bark instructions at his team-mates as he started in the middle of a back three with Timm Klose to his right and Rob Atkinson to his left.
On a number of occasions, he used his experience to issue pointers to Wilson out on this right side, with Cheltenham keen to exploit the space in behind the wing-back as he played so high up the field.
He marked striker Callum Ebanks in the first-half, a forward who towered over the former Luton defender and gave him a handful in the odd aerial duel, but Naismith didn't look flustered. He did get caught out on one occasion, outmuscled in the box by Ebanks but his shot was tame on the angle and caused Dan Bentley no issues.
Naismith is also very keen to play the ball out from the back, rarely looking for the direct pass and instead keen to feed the ball to Williams who would then dictate play. Of course, Naismith will be tested against more difficult opponents but it was certainly a positive debut for a player who looked as though he has been part of the furniture for years at the Robins.
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