Much like their first pre-season encounter against Swindon, the match would be split into two games played with a completely different X1 played in extended halves of 60 minutes.
The first would see South Korean international forward Eom Ji-sung play his first minutes for the club, whilst fellow new signing – Portuguese midfielder Goncalo Franco would join a youthful line-up in the second period.
Captain Matt Grimes had given the home side the lead within two minutes with his second penalty in as many games after Ollie Cooper had been brought down in the box.
However, ex-Swan Scott Sinclair would return to haunt his old club with a brace for the Pirates as the visitors would lead at the break. The first, a left-footed effort from the edge of the area into the top corner and then a predatory finish from close-range, scored at the second attempt.
The second-half would see the return of winger Sam Parker after a six-month injury lay-off for a bright cameo off the bench. It would be forward Josh Thomas though who would take the plaudits by levelling the match after racing onto a Harry Darling ball over the top of the visitors defence to finish a swift counter-attack neatly mid-way through the second half.
There would be no winner on the night, but the exercise would be a useful one with many of Williams’ side gaining valuable minutes under their belt ahead of the new Championship campaign opener against Middlesbrough in three weeks time.
“It was a really good game for us, I think Bristol Rovers played the game in a good way and it was more minutes and more conditioning for us,” said Williams after the match.
“That also means there is more stuff for us now to work on and get a gauge on, particularly the new players, so it was a good exercise for us.
“We have been really happy with both the guys, we know it is a big deal for them to get up to speed.
“Franco has not had so much conditioning as the rest of the squad, while Eom [Ji-sung] has been playing in the league in Korea, so they are at different stages but we are really happy with both the guys and we need to help them get up to speed with everyone else in the squad.”
Williams’ Swansea squad head out to Austria for a pre-season training camp next week which will feature friendlies against German Bundesliga 2 side FC Koln (24 July) and North Macedonian outfit FK Vardar (27 July).
The Swans then face Portuguese top-flight side Rio Ave in their final pre-season friendly at the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday, 3 August.
“We have a couple of really tough games and a good week together in Austria where we will work really hard with no distractions,” continued the Swans boss.
“We then have the friendly at the stadium which we are looking forward to.”
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
