City 4, Bradford Park Avenue 0

City’s final friendly provided more questions than answers with the start of the season looming large on the horizon.

But they are the kind of posers Peter Taylor will be only too happy to face, as he seeks the answers that have eluded many previous incumbents in the Valley Parade hot-seat.

While the 4-0 win against neighbours Bradford Park Avenue is no indicator of how City will fare come Saturday’s big kick-off, the sheer depth of talent on display provides hope for a genuine promotion push.

James Hanson’s return from injury as a second-half substitute was a welcome sight but even the talented targetman cannot be guaranteed a place in the League Two opener against Shrewsbury.

Loan signing Louis Moult pushed his case for inclusion by following up a goal-scoring debut against Rochdale with another accomplished strike, while Gareth Evans also popped up to get his name on the scoresheet.

Similar dilemmas exist throughout the squad, while a significant off-season recruit also showed promise for the season ahead – the Valley Parade pitch standing up to its first real test since being relaid.

If the previous friendly at Rochdale had given an insight into Taylor’s plans for the new season, City reverted to a more experimental feel for their final pre-season game.

A host of changes were made to the team that had drawn 1-1 at Spotland, with the home fans treated to a first glimpse of Tommy Doherty, the midfielder making his debut after spending much of the summer sidelined by injury.

A couple of trialists were even thrown into the mix, recently released Brighton winger Seb Carole prowling the right flank, while former Farsley midfielder David Syers was given another chance to impress.

Given the amount of changes, City struggled to immediately find their rhythm and were given an almighty shock within the first 30 seconds when Adam Clayton played in Tom Greaves, the Avenue striker missing an absolute sitter.

The visitors certainly seemed keen to make the most of the occasion, although a little too keen for Taylor’s liking.

A tough tackle on Lewis Hunt had the City boss wincing from his seat in the stands, while a hefty challenge between James Knowles and Moult caused him to leap up in protest.

Greaves fired over with another good chance from Simon Baldry’s cross and Luke Gibson forced Lloyd Saxton into a smart save before the hosts finally got going.

Omar Daley failed to capitalise on a neat through ball from Moult, sliding his effort wide of the post, and Jake Speight rifled over the top as forward endeavour materialised into goal threat.

But it fell to a defender to break the deadlock, Steve Williams rising to head home from Daley’s left-wing corner.

If the first goal had been fairly straightforward, the second was straight out of the top drawer.

Linking up well with strike-partner Speight, Moult glanced up before curling a delightful effort past keeper Dan Taylor from just inside the D.

Seven changes followed at the break and, seven minutes after coming on, Evans made it 3-0.

The striker released Scott Neilson with a clever through ball and then dropped back to the edge of the area to take the return and blast into the bottom corner.

David Heagney rattled the bar for the visitors but, in truth, they struggled to offer the same kind of threat they had during a lively first half.

Neilson knocked home the fourth goal following a defensive error from James Riordan, before young goalkeeper Chris Elliott made an impressive double save to maintain the clean sheet, denying Spencer Harris and Kevin Sanasy.

CITY – First half: Saxton, Hunt, Duff, Williams, Horne, Carole, Doherty, Syers, Daley, Moult, Speight. Second half: Saxton (Elliott 69), Ramsden, Hunt (Rehman 58), Williams (Oliver 58), Threlfall, Neilson, Bullock, Syers (Adeyemi 58), O’Brien, Hanson, Evans.