Let the 'real' fun begin

Barring a couple of gentle kickabouts, the pre-season friendly games are now over and next Saturday sees the start of the new season.

It was a case of mixed fortunes for the teams I usually cover for the papers.

Bristol City went down at home to a single goal from Premier league opposition West Brom. Craig Dawson grabbed the winner with one minute left on the clock as the Baggies cranked up their own pre-season preparations and City readied themselves from the big kick-off this weekend.

Former City manager Gary Johnson's League Two Northampton side beat Wycombe 2-1 at home even thought the Chairboys had taken an 18th minute lead through a Gareth Ainsworth strike. Former Newcastle defender Ben Tozer levelled three minutes later and Nick Mckoy sealed the win in the 79th minute.

Bristol Rovers notched up their sixth win in eight pre-season games against Gloucester City by beating their near neighbours 3-2. Central defenders Adam Virgo and Byron Anthony both scored from set-pieces, while striker Scott McGleish again showed that his best years aren't necessarily behind him by scoring the winner.

Cheltenham won another west country derby by beating Bath City 4-0 at Twerton Park. New boy Darryl Duffy scored one, Josh Low grabbed a brace and youngster Marlon Pack wrapped things up for the League Two side.

Hereford's pre-season planing stuttered after a 3-0 defeat away at Forest Green Rovers, but Oxford showed their pre-season preparation is going well after beating an Everton eleven 1-0 - James Constable scoring the winner. The Us also added Liam Davis to the squad when the 24 year old left sided player signed a one year deal. Davis was released by Northampton at the end of last season.

Paolo di Canio's Swindon went down at home to Reading losing 1-2. However, all three goals were scored by the Royals with Alex Pearce putting through his own net before strikers Shane Long and former Hereford hit man Mathieu Manset made sure of the win.