CITY'S first appearance in League Two for six years ended with a frustrating 0-0 draw with Cambridge at Valley Parade.
That was despite the visitors spending the last half hour down to 10 men after Liam O'Neil was sent off for a foul on Clayton Donaldson.
T&A chief sports writer SIMON PARKER gives his game guide from the opening day of the season.
MAN OF THE MATCH
City’s defence looked solid throughout and Ben Richards-Everton was a powerful presence in the middle, winning his headers and playing with composure.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Gary Bowyer said it would have been “goal of the season” on the opening day – but James Vaughan’s overhead kick hit the bar.
MOAN OF THE MATCH
City had half an hour with the extra man but could not force a serious save from Cambridge keeper Dimitar Mitov in that time.
TACTICS
Gary Bowyer named five debutants in the line-up and kept the front three that started the truncated final friendly at Rochdale. Sean Scannell was on the bench again.
MATCH STATS
REFEREE: Ollie Yates
BOOKINGS: Vaughan, Mellor, Donaldson (City)
SENT OFF: O’Neil (Cambridge)
ATTENDANCE: 14,810
SHOTS ON TARGET: City 3 Cambridge 2
SHOTS OFF TARGET: City 19 Cambridge 5
CORNERS: City 5 Cambridge 2
FOULS COMMITTED: City 12 Cambridge 11
PLAYER RATINGS
CITY: O’Donnell 6, Mellor 7, A O’Connor 7, Richards-Everton 8, Henley 6 (Longridge 80min), Anderson 6 (Devine 64min), Palmer 6, Gibson 7, Vaughan 7, Doyle 6 (Scannell 76min), Donaldson 6. Subs (not used): French, Wood, Colville, Hornby.
CAMBRIDGE: Mitov 6, Knoyle 7, Taft 7, Taylor 7, Jones 6 (Dunk 68min), Hannant 7, O’Neil 5, Lewis 6, Lambe 6 (Maris 68min), Ibehre 7, Dallas 6 (Smith 63min). Subs (not used): Darling, Davies, Knowles, Burton.
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