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Saturday 27 July 2002 - Recreation Ground - kick off 3.00pm Friendly 
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| half-time: 0-0 | result: W5-0 | attendance: n/a |
| team: | Hervin (c), Horgan, Minturn (Thorne 45), Kemp (Trought 45), Harvey, Rollo, Williams, Simeon Allison (Honor 45), Gosling, Birkby (Cleverley 61), Sorbara (Eaton 45). |
| man of the match: | Jamie Gosling |
| scorers: | Horgan (57), Birkby (pen 59), Thorne (63), Cleverley (77), Gosling (83) |
| bookings: | none |
| officials: | not known |
| league position: n/a | form: --WLWW | next match: Bristol Rovers (H) |
City made the journey down to the New Forest for the next stop in their pre-season campaign at Dr Martens Eastern (!) Division side Bashley and produced another impressive performance. In truth the final scoreline of 5-0 did flatter City somewhat but it was another solid defensive display to record their third clean sheet, particularly as keeper Mark Hervin was unable to kick the ball after a first half knock, and again Jamie Gosling was in outstanding form. The match also saw the first summer appearance of last years player of the season Gary Thorne, although Paul Milsom, Jason Drysdale, Adrian Foster and Frankie Bennett were all still absent. As in the previous match against Swindon Town Simeon Allison was given 45 minutes in the right wing back role and Alan Pridham gave his two trialist strikers Dean Birkby and Beppe Sorbara at least 45 minutes each.
On an excellent surface City began the game well with Gosling at the heart of all their good work but it was Hervin who was called into action first, getting down well to smother Cooper's low shot after 8 minutes. A Thorne header from a Gosling corner flashed inches wide soon after but this escape seemed to lift Bashley and their neat passing game began to push City back. On 21 minutes Hervin was beaten by Sales's powerful shot only for the crossbar to deny the striker a goal. The bar came to City's rescue again 10 minutes later when the same player sent a looping header over Hervin from a Gee cross. The only real response City could manage was a Gosling shot that keeper Staples easily got down to save.
The interval saw City make four changes Thorne, Mike Trought and Chris Honor replacing Gary Kemp, Andy Minturn and Allison at the back, and Jason Eaton taking over from the disappointing Beppe Sorbara to partner Dean Birkby up front. Before this changed line-up had a chance to settle Hervin had to save well from Anstey and Sales fired a great chance into the side netting. However, on 57 minutes the game turned City's way when they opened the scoring. The hard working Eaton won the ball down the left flank. He squared it to Gary Horgan and his low shot beat the dive of substitute keeper Lewis. Two minutes later City doubled their lead from the penalty spot. Birkby was pushed in the back as he went up for a Horgan cross and he fired the spot kick into the right corner of the net. This was his last contribution, Dan Cleverley replacing him, but the goal rush continued as Thorne headed home a free kick on 63 minutes. To their credit Bashley continued to try play football but City now looked likely to score with every attack. Lewis produced a fine save from a long range Gosling effort but could do nothing to prevent Cleverley heading home a fourth after 77 minutes. Gosling finally got his name deservedly on the scoresheet with 7 minutes remaining. He collected the ball midway in the Bash half, advanced toward goal before unleashing a 20-yard shot that flew past Lewis. He almost added a sixth goal before the end, Cook denying him on the line, but City boss Pridham will be more than happy with his teams latest run out.