City made a winning start to pre-season, as they put four past Forest Green Rovers at the New Lawn Stadium.

New signing Ellis Simms grabbed himself a brace, whilst Kasey Palmer and Justin Obiwku added goals either side of half-time.

It was a bright start from the Sky Blues, who almost found the breakthrough inside the opening three minutes when Ben Sheaf beat his man, before being denied by Trialist A.

However, it only took sixty seconds for City to open the scoring and it was the first of pre-season for Ellis Simms, as he slotted the ball past the ‘keeper from inside of the area.

Almost immediately after the restart, Mark Robins’ side had their second of the game and this time it was Kasey Palmer who capitalised on a mistake at the back and found the back of the net from the edge of the box.

The Sky Blues pressure continued, and this time Jake Bidwell rose the highest in the area, but his header was saved.

City had their third on the half-hour mark and Simms had his second, getting on the end of Godden’s through ball and finding the bottom corner.

Matty Godden was searching for a goal, as he looked to get in on the act, but after some excellent footwork, his shot from a tight angle was well saved.

HALF-TIME: Forest Green Rovers 0-3 Sky Blues

It took just 16 seconds for the Sky Blues to add to their tally and it was substitute Justin Obikwu who scored, getting on the end of Godden’s shot which was initially saved.

It could have been five two minutes later when Tatsuhiro Sakamoto picked out the run of Godden and his volley was well saved by Trialist A.

City made seven changes on the hour mark and it was two of those who combined to create City’s next opportunity of the game. Bradley Stretton’s corner was met by the head of Tristen Batawni, but he couldn’t steer his effort on target.

FULL-TIME: Forest Green Rovers 0-4 Sky Blues

Goals: Ellis Simms x2, Kasey Palmer, Justin Obikwu

Starting Xl: Ben Wilson (GK); Ryan Howley, Kyle McFadzean, Jake Bidwell; Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Liam Kelly (C) (46’ Eccles), Ben Sheaf, Jay Dasilva; Kasey Palmer (46’ Eghosa), Ellis Simms (46’ Obikwu), Matty Godden.

Subs: Brad Collins (GK), Cian Tyler (GK), Josh Eccles, Jack Burroughs, Dermi Lusala, Bradley Stretton, Evan Eghosa, Justin Obikwu, Tristen Batanwi, Kai Andrews, Callum Perry, Elliot Betjemann.

Forest Green Rovers Xl: Trialist A (GK), Dom Bernard, Ryan Inniss, Kyle McAllister, Charlie McCann, Matty Stevens, Jordan Moore-Taylor, Trialist B, Harvey Bunker, Callum Jones, Reece Brown.

Subs: Dan Blackburn (GK), Trialist C, Teddy Jenks, Jordan Garrick, Trialist D, Zach McKenzie, Murphy Bennett.