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Sunday 21 July 200 - Twerton Park - kick off 2.00pm Friendly 
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| half-time: 0-0 | result: L0-1 | attendance: 399 |
| team: | Hervin, Williams, Harvey, Minturn (Horgan 45), Cozic (Sheppard 70), Trout (Smith 45), Rollo (Kemp 70), Honor, Cleverley (Eaton 45), Birkby (Sorbara 45), Gosling (Rossiter 80). |
| man of the match: | Jamie Gosling |
| scorers: | none |
| bookings: | none |
| officials: | not known |
| league position: n/a | form: ----WL | next match: Swindon (H) |
City's first home pre-season encounter ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat against a strong Leyton Orient side at a sunny Twerton Park. The match, arranged through the family connection between Orient manager Paul Brush and his cousin, City Supporters Club chairman Martin 'Bas' Brush, as with the clash with Swindon Supermarine four days earlier saw City field another selection of trialists alongside the first team squad. Amongst the trialists was Frome Town striker Guiseppe Sorbara, former Swindon Town youngster Bryan Smith and ex-City forward Dean Birkby.
The heavily grassed pitch made passing difficult but to their credit both sides attempted play football from the start. The best opening in the early exchanges came when former Bristol Rovers defender Mike Trought's powerful header forced a fine save from Orient's American keeper Feuer. The Third Division side responded well to this escape and had a great chance to go ahead after 32 minutes. Hervin could only weakly palm a cross out and Nugent headed the ball goalwards. However, Chris Honor got back to head the ball off the line. The was the last meaningful involvement for Nugent as he was subsituted on the referees instruction just before the interval following a late challenge on Bretrand Cozic. The half ended with Feuer coming to the O's rescue again. Birkby's curling 25-yard effort appeared to be heading for the top corner of the net but the 6'6 keeper turned it over the bar at full stretch.
The usual half time changes saw the arrival of Jason Eaton, Smith and Sorbara and within 15 minutes of the restart the games decisive goal arrived. McGhee made ground down the right flank and his cross was turned past Hervin by Fletcher at the near post, although Smith may have got the final touch. Eaton had a good chance to equalise ten minutes later but his close range effort was parried by substitute keeper Morris. Gary Horgan also sent a rising shot narrowly over the bar minutes later as City kept searching for a goal. They almost conceded a second though when Fletcher's volley came back off the bar with eight minutes remaining. This was the final close call at either end but City will be pleased with their performance, with several of the trialists impressing and first team regulars Iain Harvey and Jamie Gosling looking in good form already.