STOKE CITY FC 3 YORK CITY 1 FA Cup 3rd Round
Conference side York arrived at The Brit just on kick off time 3.00pm,having been delayed on the M62 by adverse weather.The match started half an hour late,the visitors with a 4,500 following,all looking for a cup shock
Stoke were indeed shocked by the non-league visitors who took the lead from a Lawless freekick,Barnett netting(22mins).Stunned silence amongst the home faithful was soon replaced by cheers as within a minute or so the Potters,first equalised then took the lead.Both goals resulted from Delap long throw ins.The first was an own goal by Parslow (24mins),the second a Court header finished off by Ricardo Fuller (26mins).
From a foul on Fuller -easily Stoke's liveliest player in the first half- Matty Etherington's freekick curled beautifully around the defensive wall into the top corner of the net (58mins).
With 20 minutes to go Tuncay replaced Beattie,and Sidibe came on for Fuller 10 minutes later,as Stoke played the game out with little threat from the visitors.
Stoke : Sorensen (Simonsen 45min),Huth,Cort,Higginbotham(Capt),Collins,Etherington,Whitehead,Delap,Lawrence,Beattie,Fuller
Attendance :15,580
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
ENJOY IT WHILE YOU'VE GOT IT......IT MIGHT NOT LAST !!
STOKE CITY FC 0 BIRMINGHAM CITY 1
When we've been around long enough we've seen it before,and now we're seeing it again!
Walking back from the ground to the car yesterday listening to 'Praise and Grumble' on Radio Stoke we had the usual collection of hysterical worriers,and the 'texting stirrers'(who its pretty evident in most cases don't go to the matches) with their sad 'Pulis Out' meme.For me all these contribute to is to undermining the club.
THEN at last a voice of SANITY !!! A caller who had been going down to Stoke matches for 60 years.He'd stood in crowds down as low as 3,000,he'd seen us lose matches at home to Chester City and the like.He'd watched as we got soundly beaten 7-0 at home by yesterday's opposition,Birmingham City.He'd enjoyed the Waddington years.
His basic message was this. One,he'd been entertained yesterday.No-one could deny the match was an exciting eventful offering.Two,we've been privileged to see first hand some class teams at the The Brit.Three,it might not last so get Real and ENJOY IT while you can and stay behind the team.
There was only one real difference between the two teams on show yesterday....LUCK!!
Much was made in the media of Birmingham's successful run.Good luck to them,but I'm pretty sure they were happy and relieved to get off the pitch with a result.
Stoke huffed and puffed,played some good football in parts,again created a bagful of chances - sufficient to have won three matches never mind just this one - but could not convert one.Ryan Shawcross had three excellent chances,the first from virtually on the goal line.Stoke found Joe Harte in formidable form.Whilst Sorensen had nothing of note to save all afternoon,Harte made three immaculate,indeed inspirational saves as Pulis later described them.
Birmingham reminded me yesterday of us last season.A real do or die attitude from their players,several times instanced by diving in to successfully block otherwise goal bound shots.
Birmingham won his match,as they have a number of others in their run,with a scruffy goal.A deflection in front of goal off Shawcross,put the ball in front of Jerome.His scuffed effort from close in just beat Sorensen seemingly trickling in at his near post.
Stoke responded magnificently to this setback,mounted serious pressure,threw the proverbial kitchen sink,but simply couldn't get the ball past Harte.Two of the saves stand out for me,a reflex effort from Etherington's powerful volley,and a full length save from Abdy Faye's superb header.
Stoke never gave up,should have had a penalty when Carr pulled Huth down,increasingly found their determined efforts pulled up by the ref,and would,if the Gods were smiling on them have recorded a much needed win.
The fans created a wonderful atmosphere yesterday....so supportive.If Stoke had performed abysmally I could perhaps understand the 'boos' at the end of the match.But they hadn't....the team had given EVERYTHING.There appears to be simple equation in some peoples'minds......WIN=CHEERS.....LOSE=BOOS.
Can't understand it myself,never will....they need to find CONSTRUCTIVE ways of dealing with their own disappointment.
This is MY team,this is OUR team....win,lose or draw we get behind them....to ensure that the DREAM continues.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
A TALE OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN??
MANCHESTER CITY 2 v STOKE CITY FC 0
Manager Tony Pulis opted for an unchanged side,recognising the excellent performance at Villa last week,and probably too the upcoming fixture at home to Birmingham on Monday.Ryan Shawcross was given more time to get over his injury,and Robert Huth, back from suspension,was on the bench.
Stoke had the first real chance of the match,a golden opportunity in the twentieth minute.Tuncay found himself one on one with goalkeeper Given.Tuncay got a powerful shot away from point blank range,which the keeper somehow managed to divert away with his knee,at the cost of an injury.
Man City took the lead seven minutes later.Livewire Tevez teased the Stoke defence before cutting the ball across the Stoke goalmouth.Robinho missed the ball altogether but Petrov,coming in from the right,finished despite Sorensen's despairing scrambling dive.
On several more occasions Tuncay and Etherington ran at the home defence without any real end product.Stoke set pieces were uniformly poor,with Whelan being the main culprit,hitting his efforts short,or low,sometimes both.Given |Stoke's size advantage,there was a strange reluctance to putting the ball high into the box.
Right on halftime Stoke conceded again.Poor marking saw Barry in the Stoke penalty area comfortably head an incoming cross toward Tevez.As he raced in he managed to get his leg high enough to get a toe to the ball,taking it just clear of Sorensen and into the net.A bad time indeed to concede again.
Things could have got worse for a despondent Stoke team immediately after the break.Robinho got through on goal,but Sorensen pulled off a save.Wilkinson injured his ankle as his last ditch tackle helped break up the move.To that point his energetic and enthusiastic performance had marked him out as Stoke's man of the match.By contrast Diao and Whelan looked well below par.
Huth came on for Wilko, Fuller for Tuncay,and Beattie for Sidibe,with both the starting strikers having become largely anonymous as the game progressed. James Beattie nearly got on the scoresheet on 71 minutes.The ball reached him to the left of Given's goal.He hit a tremendous goal bound volley,but the keeper responded with his second miraculous save of the match.Shortly after Huth headed Etherington's corner wide of the Man City goal.
Stoke had one other chance of note.With a couple of minutes to go Danny Collins'free kick into the area from the left was headed on by Fuller to Higginbotham but he put the ball wide of the goal.
WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE US?Amazingly still in 11th place in the table,but crucially now only 4 points off the drop zone.Teams below us are finding some form.More to the point they are scoring goals,which at the moment we are not.
Given Manchester City's defensive frailty this season,it begs the question as to why we did not go for a more attack minded line up.From the evidence certainly from the Villa match the goals will return,but the situation is such that this needs to be sooner rather than later.
Three points against Birmingham is now an imperative!!
Manager Tony Pulis opted for an unchanged side,recognising the excellent performance at Villa last week,and probably too the upcoming fixture at home to Birmingham on Monday.Ryan Shawcross was given more time to get over his injury,and Robert Huth, back from suspension,was on the bench.
Stoke had the first real chance of the match,a golden opportunity in the twentieth minute.Tuncay found himself one on one with goalkeeper Given.Tuncay got a powerful shot away from point blank range,which the keeper somehow managed to divert away with his knee,at the cost of an injury.
Man City took the lead seven minutes later.Livewire Tevez teased the Stoke defence before cutting the ball across the Stoke goalmouth.Robinho missed the ball altogether but Petrov,coming in from the right,finished despite Sorensen's despairing scrambling dive.
On several more occasions Tuncay and Etherington ran at the home defence without any real end product.Stoke set pieces were uniformly poor,with Whelan being the main culprit,hitting his efforts short,or low,sometimes both.Given |Stoke's size advantage,there was a strange reluctance to putting the ball high into the box.
Right on halftime Stoke conceded again.Poor marking saw Barry in the Stoke penalty area comfortably head an incoming cross toward Tevez.As he raced in he managed to get his leg high enough to get a toe to the ball,taking it just clear of Sorensen and into the net.A bad time indeed to concede again.
Things could have got worse for a despondent Stoke team immediately after the break.Robinho got through on goal,but Sorensen pulled off a save.Wilkinson injured his ankle as his last ditch tackle helped break up the move.To that point his energetic and enthusiastic performance had marked him out as Stoke's man of the match.By contrast Diao and Whelan looked well below par.
Huth came on for Wilko, Fuller for Tuncay,and Beattie for Sidibe,with both the starting strikers having become largely anonymous as the game progressed. James Beattie nearly got on the scoresheet on 71 minutes.The ball reached him to the left of Given's goal.He hit a tremendous goal bound volley,but the keeper responded with his second miraculous save of the match.Shortly after Huth headed Etherington's corner wide of the Man City goal.
Stoke had one other chance of note.With a couple of minutes to go Danny Collins'free kick into the area from the left was headed on by Fuller to Higginbotham but he put the ball wide of the goal.
WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE US?Amazingly still in 11th place in the table,but crucially now only 4 points off the drop zone.Teams below us are finding some form.More to the point they are scoring goals,which at the moment we are not.
Given Manchester City's defensive frailty this season,it begs the question as to why we did not go for a more attack minded line up.From the evidence certainly from the Villa match the goals will return,but the situation is such that this needs to be sooner rather than later.
Three points against Birmingham is now an imperative!!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
ROBBED BY THE REF?
ASTON VILLA 1 STOKE CITY FC 0
Stoke performed heroically today,playing some first class attacking football, but failed to get the point they deserved.Minus Ryan Shawcross injured,and Huth suspended,Stoke gave as good as they got,taking the game to Villa.
The strike partnership of Tuncay and Sidibe,well served by Etherington,posed plenty of problems for a Villa defence,which at the death was reduced to kicking the ball anywhere to clear its lines,as Stoke pressed hard for an equaliser.
It looked as though we had taken the lead on 32mins,when Mama Sidibe rose to head home Etherington's measured cross from the left.For reasons best known to himself ref Lee Probert decided that there had been some infringement.No goal.
It would appear that he saw a push by Mama on the Villa defender.Convenient but wrong.No less an authority than Alan Hanson indicated that Probert had been kind to Villa - a perfectly good goal in his opinion!!
Stoke performed heroically today,playing some first class attacking football, but failed to get the point they deserved.Minus Ryan Shawcross injured,and Huth suspended,Stoke gave as good as they got,taking the game to Villa.
The strike partnership of Tuncay and Sidibe,well served by Etherington,posed plenty of problems for a Villa defence,which at the death was reduced to kicking the ball anywhere to clear its lines,as Stoke pressed hard for an equaliser.
It looked as though we had taken the lead on 32mins,when Mama Sidibe rose to head home Etherington's measured cross from the left.For reasons best known to himself ref Lee Probert decided that there had been some infringement.No goal.
It would appear that he saw a push by Mama on the Villa defender.Convenient but wrong.No less an authority than Alan Hanson indicated that Probert had been kind to Villa - a perfectly good goal in his opinion!!
(Take a look at Carew's goal - no different to Mama's effort....but Probert let it stand ,OR better still Peter Crouch's first goal ALLOWED yesterday for Spurs against Blackburn.
Crouch went through a period when refs automatically ,it seemed,disallowed his headed goals.He must have come through that phase because yesterday he was ALL OVER the Blackburn defender and the goal stood.
There is little doubt in my mind now that, for whatever reason, some sort of positive discrimination,maybe even SUBLIMINALLY, is being exercised against Stoke. BIG = ROUGH = FOUL !!
Maybe the penny will soon drop with these officials - but don't bank on it - that this season we are playing some lovely football,that maybe yesterdays disallowed goal was the result of exquisite skill rather than brute force.)
The injured Heskey had been replaced by Carew,and it was he who got the deciding goal on 62 minutes.Certainly he nudged Abdy Faye aside as he headed Young's cross home.
So we deserved something but got nothing. Our football looked good with our whirling Turkish dervish,Tuncay, posing a real threat.On another day he could have had another couple of goals.Matty Etherington is star quality,an excellent team player.Danny Higginbotham had a fine game at the heart of our defence.The highest accolade yesterday came from Martin O' Neill,who was fulsome in his praise."A good team."
So what happens next? Manchester City looked like a banker draw for us. So what do they do? Sack manager Mark Hughes and bring in a successful italian replacement with immediate effect.
Hopefully there is a Stokie god somewhere who will ensure that Pulis's magic prevails over Mancini's at Eastlands !!
Would you bet on it? Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad El Kenno.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
DRAW ABOUT RIGHT......CROWD MORE REALISTIC.
STOKE CITY FC 2 WIGAN ATHLETIC 2
A sunny day at The Brit,and,its fair to say some good football on offer at times.Like Stoke Wigan are physically imposing,pretty speedy about the pitch,and skillful to boot.
Danny Collins gave way to the returning Ryan Shawcross,flu victim Lawrence was replaced by Whitehead,and Tuncay retained a place in the starting lineup.
Wigan took the lead on 15 minutes,following a needless foul conceded by Abdy Faye on the left.A powerful header from the freekick into the six yard box brought a point blank reaction save from Sorensen,but he was powerless to keep out Boyce's follow up header.
We had to wait 20 minutes for an equaliser.Stoke were playing the ball around in the Wigan half looking for an opening,when,to universal groans,Whitehead made a long pass back to keeper Sorensen.
Within seconds the moans turned to delirious cheers.Tommy Sorensen's resultant long punt upfield was headed out toward the left wing where Tuncay was unmarked.He made rapid progess toward goal before driving the ball powerfully inside the near post to the far corner of the net.
His first goal for Stoke in the Prem,and literally within seconds he could have notched another.He performed a magical overhead kick in the Wigan goalmouth.Nine times out of ten it would have brought us a goal,keeper Kirkland was nowhere,but the very tip of a defenders boot produced a deflection just over the bar.
Figueroa gave Wigan the lead once again(72mins).Stoke conceded another freekick,wide out on the left just inside the Wigan half. No-one - certainly not the Stoke players - expected what happened next.The ball was stationary,Figueroa -spotting Sorensen off his line- ran up and hit the ball hard toward the Stoke net where it duly arrived having cleared the stranded Stoke keeper.
Within two minutes Stoke were back on terms.Dean Whitehead won a corner on the right.Etherington's excellent delivery left Shawcross with, for him,a straightforward header into kirkland's net.
Excitement over? Certainly not.89 minutes gone,Melchiot drives forward,the ball reaches a clearly offside player (one of two not spotted by the linesman....despite having an unobstructed view) in the Stoke area,but as he shapes to shoot he is fouled by Huth.Yellow card and a penalty.Looked all over.
But we reckoned without Tommy Sorensen.Rodallega's effort looked tentative,and lacked power.Soro made it five penalty saves out of the last six (two for Denmark)clearing with his leg.Justice done!
Mike Dean managed to conjure 5 minutes of added time,during which the visitors went all out for a winner,with Stoke just hanging on.
One or two thoughts.Mike Dean did not have he best of games....Tuncay had a storming game throughout....Beattie got onto the pitch for the last few minutes= Pulis as good as his word !Wigan in charge in the first half Stoke in the second.Both sides had sufficient chances to have won the game.
My own view is that the crowd were much more patient again yesterday thank goodness.Maybe this reflects more realistic levels of expectation again.The fans got behind the team when it really mattered,and the destructive idiot booing was largely absent - long may it remain so,because we simply cannot afford the team to become apprehensive about playing at home.
Tuncay and Huth could tell us what that did to Middlesborough last season.
A sunny day at The Brit,and,its fair to say some good football on offer at times.Like Stoke Wigan are physically imposing,pretty speedy about the pitch,and skillful to boot.
Danny Collins gave way to the returning Ryan Shawcross,flu victim Lawrence was replaced by Whitehead,and Tuncay retained a place in the starting lineup.
Wigan took the lead on 15 minutes,following a needless foul conceded by Abdy Faye on the left.A powerful header from the freekick into the six yard box brought a point blank reaction save from Sorensen,but he was powerless to keep out Boyce's follow up header.
We had to wait 20 minutes for an equaliser.Stoke were playing the ball around in the Wigan half looking for an opening,when,to universal groans,Whitehead made a long pass back to keeper Sorensen.
Within seconds the moans turned to delirious cheers.Tommy Sorensen's resultant long punt upfield was headed out toward the left wing where Tuncay was unmarked.He made rapid progess toward goal before driving the ball powerfully inside the near post to the far corner of the net.
His first goal for Stoke in the Prem,and literally within seconds he could have notched another.He performed a magical overhead kick in the Wigan goalmouth.Nine times out of ten it would have brought us a goal,keeper Kirkland was nowhere,but the very tip of a defenders boot produced a deflection just over the bar.
Figueroa gave Wigan the lead once again(72mins).Stoke conceded another freekick,wide out on the left just inside the Wigan half. No-one - certainly not the Stoke players - expected what happened next.The ball was stationary,Figueroa -spotting Sorensen off his line- ran up and hit the ball hard toward the Stoke net where it duly arrived having cleared the stranded Stoke keeper.
Within two minutes Stoke were back on terms.Dean Whitehead won a corner on the right.Etherington's excellent delivery left Shawcross with, for him,a straightforward header into kirkland's net.
Excitement over? Certainly not.89 minutes gone,Melchiot drives forward,the ball reaches a clearly offside player (one of two not spotted by the linesman....despite having an unobstructed view) in the Stoke area,but as he shapes to shoot he is fouled by Huth.Yellow card and a penalty.Looked all over.
But we reckoned without Tommy Sorensen.Rodallega's effort looked tentative,and lacked power.Soro made it five penalty saves out of the last six (two for Denmark)clearing with his leg.Justice done!
Mike Dean managed to conjure 5 minutes of added time,during which the visitors went all out for a winner,with Stoke just hanging on.
One or two thoughts.Mike Dean did not have he best of games....Tuncay had a storming game throughout....Beattie got onto the pitch for the last few minutes= Pulis as good as his word !Wigan in charge in the first half Stoke in the second.Both sides had sufficient chances to have won the game.
My own view is that the crowd were much more patient again yesterday thank goodness.Maybe this reflects more realistic levels of expectation again.The fans got behind the team when it really mattered,and the destructive idiot booing was largely absent - long may it remain so,because we simply cannot afford the team to become apprehensive about playing at home.
Tuncay and Huth could tell us what that did to Middlesborough last season.
Stoke:
Sorensen , Huth , AbdoulayeFaye , Wilkinson , Shawcross , Delap , Etherington , Whitehead , Diao (Whelan ,62 ) , Fuller (Beattie ,83 ) , Sanli
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
THE BEATTIE SAGA
Difficult to know what to make of the alleged dressing room bust up between Manager Tony Pulis and hitherto favoured/favourite striker James Beattie.These things happen,usually to be resolved inside the club,after which everyone moves on TOGETHER.
From news reports in The Sentinel,the club did indeed move swiftly to defuse the situation.Everything seemed to have been patched up,until 'sources close to' Beattie indicated that there had been no apology and he was considering his future at the club.
The main concern must be the potential damage to team morale ahead of the game against Wigan at The Brit.To draw a line quickly under the matter limits that damage...if things drag on then who knows what the effects might be.
Beattie seems to be very popular with his teammates,so some polarisation of views seems inevitable.
Hopefully what we see on the pitch will be a UNITED effort,with everyone focussed on taking three points from Wigan.
From news reports in The Sentinel,the club did indeed move swiftly to defuse the situation.Everything seemed to have been patched up,until 'sources close to' Beattie indicated that there had been no apology and he was considering his future at the club.
The main concern must be the potential damage to team morale ahead of the game against Wigan at The Brit.To draw a line quickly under the matter limits that damage...if things drag on then who knows what the effects might be.
Beattie seems to be very popular with his teammates,so some polarisation of views seems inevitable.
Hopefully what we see on the pitch will be a UNITED effort,with everyone focussed on taking three points from Wigan.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
EMIRATES EXPERIENCE : Some Improvement,No Points...
ARSENAL 2 STOKE CITY FC 0
At the of last season we fielded some 'fringe'players and were seen off 4-0!!
Today the Potters put up a spirited fight at the Emirates Stadium against a superior Arsenal team without at any stage looking like getting a positive result.The big difference to last year, in the managers, view is that we look competitive now.
Certainly for this match he put out the sort of team that many have been calling for......not ultra defensive by any stretch of the imagination. Collins moved to the centre of defence in place of still injured Ryan Shawcross,Lawrence and Ethrington starting on the flanks,and interestingly Tuncay in for his first start, partnering Sidibe.
Tommy Sorensen was Stoke's Man of the Match,pulling off some excellent saves,including one from a poorly taken Fabregas penalty.
Arshavin netted the Gooners opener on 26 minutes but Stoke remained in the game until sub Ramsey added a second at 79 mins.
This fairly predictable result sees Stoke drop to 10th in the table.
STOKE: Sorensen , Huth , Abdoulaye Faye , Collins , Wilkinson , Lawrence (Fuller ,75 ) , Delap (Whelan ,81 ) , Etherington , Diao , Sidibe (Beattie ,63 ), Tuncay
Saturday, November 28, 2009
A GOOD RESULT.....OR A DISAPPOINTMENT ?
BLACKBURN 0 STOKE CITY FC 0
Blackburn's recent record looked pretty impressive,the team having won its previous five home matches on the spin.A tough match in prospect then,but the Potters have been up for most challenges so far this season.
Some selection surprises from our manager.He decided to keep the back four from last week.Wilko thus kept his place even though Abdy Faye was available once again.Quite right too !Tony Pulis went for Liam Lawrence, more of an all round attacking threat, in preference to Rory Delap,and also Mama Sidibe for a not fully fit Beattie.
The match itself was far from a bore draw,goalless but certainly not drab.End to end football was the order of the day,with numerous chances at both ends to have won the match.Stoke's best chances fell to Dean Whitehead,Liam Lawrence,and latterly James Beattie - playing against one of his old clubs - who managed to sky a sitter on 75 minutes after coming on as sub.Throughout Etherington and Fuller maintained a real attacking threat,which the home team struggled to cope with.
Blackburn were denied by good saves from Tommy Sorensen,hit the post,and at the death could have snatched all the points but Samba contrived to head wide.
Given Blackburn's fine home record and excellent recent form this has to be seen as a good result for Stoke,yet tinged with a little disappointment because they were unable to convert any of the numerous chances that they created.Whatever, this was a big improvement on last season's 3-0 setback on the same ground.Again an indication of the progress that we have made.....still 9th,and equal on points with Liverpool !!
Blackburn's recent record looked pretty impressive,the team having won its previous five home matches on the spin.A tough match in prospect then,but the Potters have been up for most challenges so far this season.
Some selection surprises from our manager.He decided to keep the back four from last week.Wilko thus kept his place even though Abdy Faye was available once again.Quite right too !Tony Pulis went for Liam Lawrence, more of an all round attacking threat, in preference to Rory Delap,and also Mama Sidibe for a not fully fit Beattie.
The match itself was far from a bore draw,goalless but certainly not drab.End to end football was the order of the day,with numerous chances at both ends to have won the match.Stoke's best chances fell to Dean Whitehead,Liam Lawrence,and latterly James Beattie - playing against one of his old clubs - who managed to sky a sitter on 75 minutes after coming on as sub.Throughout Etherington and Fuller maintained a real attacking threat,which the home team struggled to cope with.
Blackburn were denied by good saves from Tommy Sorensen,hit the post,and at the death could have snatched all the points but Samba contrived to head wide.
Given Blackburn's fine home record and excellent recent form this has to be seen as a good result for Stoke,yet tinged with a little disappointment because they were unable to convert any of the numerous chances that they created.Whatever, this was a big improvement on last season's 3-0 setback on the same ground.Again an indication of the progress that we have made.....still 9th,and equal on points with Liverpool !!
Monday, November 23, 2009
STOKE BACK ON TRACK
STOKE CITY FC 1 PORTSMOUTH 0
Stoke scored their winner in the 74th minute.It was the culmination of a superb passing movement involving several players in swift one-twos,to set Ricardo Fuller partially free of the visitors defence.The striker still had it all to do,but he followed a little jink to the right with a beautifully struck shot around the keepers full length dive,the ball curling just inside the right hand post.
A quality strike from the Jamaican star for his first goal of the season.
The match itself was a pretty dour struggle,which exactly matched the weather.It was cold,damp,a gusty wind,with occasional flurries of rain.Certainly these were not conditions conducive to high quality football.Especially in the first half Portsmouth played the ball around with some confidence,O'Hara and Kanu generally being at the heart of their more creative moments.Stoke for their part created very little.
The only direct shot of note on either goal was a penalty kick within the first ten minutes.This was awarded by the linesman (ass ref)against Delap for a seriously high kick,which floored a Pompey forward.Boateng's penalty effort was weak and to everyone's relief was smothered by Sorensen in the Stoke goal.
The second half was somewhat livelier than the first,with Stoke taking rather more control - at times!Tony Pulis did not wait long to make his substitutions after the break bringing on Liam Lawrence and Mama Sidibe for James Beattie and Salif Diao.The moves injected some attacking life into the team,and importantly lifted the crowd.
After Fuller's goal my favourite moment was Wilkinson's storming run forward in the last few minutes.Cutting the ball this way and that - at some speed - he beat several defenders,reached the 18 yard box,and under further challenge unleashed a powerful cross shot,which a yard or so lower would have found the top corner of the visitors net.Rightly he was named Man of the Match by the sponsors.
Where does this result leave us? Back to 9th place in the Premiership table,and after 13 games on 19 points.Respectable I would say!!
Stoke scored their winner in the 74th minute.It was the culmination of a superb passing movement involving several players in swift one-twos,to set Ricardo Fuller partially free of the visitors defence.The striker still had it all to do,but he followed a little jink to the right with a beautifully struck shot around the keepers full length dive,the ball curling just inside the right hand post.
A quality strike from the Jamaican star for his first goal of the season.
The match itself was a pretty dour struggle,which exactly matched the weather.It was cold,damp,a gusty wind,with occasional flurries of rain.Certainly these were not conditions conducive to high quality football.Especially in the first half Portsmouth played the ball around with some confidence,O'Hara and Kanu generally being at the heart of their more creative moments.Stoke for their part created very little.
The only direct shot of note on either goal was a penalty kick within the first ten minutes.This was awarded by the linesman (ass ref)against Delap for a seriously high kick,which floored a Pompey forward.Boateng's penalty effort was weak and to everyone's relief was smothered by Sorensen in the Stoke goal.
The second half was somewhat livelier than the first,with Stoke taking rather more control - at times!Tony Pulis did not wait long to make his substitutions after the break bringing on Liam Lawrence and Mama Sidibe for James Beattie and Salif Diao.The moves injected some attacking life into the team,and importantly lifted the crowd.
After Fuller's goal my favourite moment was Wilkinson's storming run forward in the last few minutes.Cutting the ball this way and that - at some speed - he beat several defenders,reached the 18 yard box,and under further challenge unleashed a powerful cross shot,which a yard or so lower would have found the top corner of the visitors net.Rightly he was named Man of the Match by the sponsors.
Where does this result leave us? Back to 9th place in the Premiership table,and after 13 games on 19 points.Respectable I would say!!
Sunday, November 08, 2009
TUNCAY NOT THE ONLY UNHAPPY BUNNY!
The buildup was all Hull City.Manager's job on the line,in the bottom three,not scored for three games,always lose if they go a goal down .......Well you sort of knew that fate was being tempted here,certainly as far as Stoke were concerned.
The Potters looked the business in the first half,not seriously dominant but good enough to hold onto the lead that Matt Etherington gave them in the 29th minute.He was set free by Shawcross's long punt toward the left wing.With a clear run on goal he beat keeper Duke with a fierce shot inside the near post.
The morgue like atmosphere at the KC Stadium was lifted by a most unlikely character.Remember that cracking volley last season,his only Prem goal for Stoke?Who was it? Old boy Olofinjana brought Hull back on terms - and I suspect Manager Brown back from the dead - with an exquisite curling shot from the edge of the box,which easily beat Sorensen's despairing dive.
Hull began seriously to believe.Stoke brought on Kitson and Tuncay,still looking to win the game themselves.Tuncay scampered about for precisely seven minutes.Abdy Faye stupidly got himself sent off for a second yellow card,Tuncay was pulled off,to be replaced by defender Wilkinson.The turkish international was not best pleased ( anyone lip read in Turkish?)going off down the players tunnel rather than resuming his place on the bench.
Shoring up the defence proved futile,as in stoppage time Sorensen had trouble dealing with a dipping Bullard long range effort,and the man with the incredibly long name (take a deep breath....Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink) was on hand to pop the ball in the net for the winner.
The Potters looked the business in the first half,not seriously dominant but good enough to hold onto the lead that Matt Etherington gave them in the 29th minute.He was set free by Shawcross's long punt toward the left wing.With a clear run on goal he beat keeper Duke with a fierce shot inside the near post.
The morgue like atmosphere at the KC Stadium was lifted by a most unlikely character.Remember that cracking volley last season,his only Prem goal for Stoke?Who was it? Old boy Olofinjana brought Hull back on terms - and I suspect Manager Brown back from the dead - with an exquisite curling shot from the edge of the box,which easily beat Sorensen's despairing dive.
Hull began seriously to believe.Stoke brought on Kitson and Tuncay,still looking to win the game themselves.Tuncay scampered about for precisely seven minutes.Abdy Faye stupidly got himself sent off for a second yellow card,Tuncay was pulled off,to be replaced by defender Wilkinson.The turkish international was not best pleased ( anyone lip read in Turkish?)going off down the players tunnel rather than resuming his place on the bench.
Shoring up the defence proved futile,as in stoppage time Sorensen had trouble dealing with a dipping Bullard long range effort,and the man with the incredibly long name (take a deep breath....Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink) was on hand to pop the ball in the net for the winner.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
STOKE SHARE (SHED?) POINTS...
STOKE CITY FC 2 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 2
At halftime few people in the ground would have been expecting this result.Stoke were comprensively in charge having moved serenely into a two goal lead.
The Potters played some really good football in no small part inspired a lively contribution from Etherington.He made the first goal with a speedy burst down the left,outpacing the defender,crossing powerfully into the six yard box for - it appeared initially - James Beattie to bundle the ball into the net.It was however an own goal.
From a Rory Delap throw from the right(why do people keep coming onto Radio Stoke's P&G to say that the tactic no longer works?) a flick on reached Etherington on the edge of the Wolves box.His chest down and immediate volley into the back of the net was pure class.Game over....well it should have been...but it wasn't.
Stoke got off to a most unfortunate start to the second half.Within a minute Wolves had pulled a goal back and given themselves a real lift.A doubtful freekick from the right was played into the Stoke box.Jody Craddock,clearly offside to everyone but the linesman (the right term for this character...assistant ref is a bit too grand),headed in.Craddock couldn't believe his luck when he headed home the equaliser as the Stoke defence slept in.
The second half was more Wolves than a curiously disjointed Stoke outfit,yet we had the chance to win the game.From Etherington's corner the unmarked Stoke skipper,Abdy Faye,got to the ball but only succeeded in heading over.
So one point instead of three ......but I find the booing from some people around the ground totally inexplicable.What do they want?
This was an entertaining game,good value for money,four goals,plenty of effort,no rub of the green (which we definitely had last week!),and on this particular day the win was not to be.
At halftime few people in the ground would have been expecting this result.Stoke were comprensively in charge having moved serenely into a two goal lead.
The Potters played some really good football in no small part inspired a lively contribution from Etherington.He made the first goal with a speedy burst down the left,outpacing the defender,crossing powerfully into the six yard box for - it appeared initially - James Beattie to bundle the ball into the net.It was however an own goal.
From a Rory Delap throw from the right(why do people keep coming onto Radio Stoke's P&G to say that the tactic no longer works?) a flick on reached Etherington on the edge of the Wolves box.His chest down and immediate volley into the back of the net was pure class.Game over....well it should have been...but it wasn't.
Stoke got off to a most unfortunate start to the second half.Within a minute Wolves had pulled a goal back and given themselves a real lift.A doubtful freekick from the right was played into the Stoke box.Jody Craddock,clearly offside to everyone but the linesman (the right term for this character...assistant ref is a bit too grand),headed in.Craddock couldn't believe his luck when he headed home the equaliser as the Stoke defence slept in.
The second half was more Wolves than a curiously disjointed Stoke outfit,yet we had the chance to win the game.From Etherington's corner the unmarked Stoke skipper,Abdy Faye,got to the ball but only succeeded in heading over.
So one point instead of three ......but I find the booing from some people around the ground totally inexplicable.What do they want?
This was an entertaining game,good value for money,four goals,plenty of effort,no rub of the green (which we definitely had last week!),and on this particular day the win was not to be.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
NO SHOW,STOKE
PORTMOUTH 4 STOKE CITY FC 0
A night to forget......
Stoke exited the Carling Cup in disappointing fashion at Fratton park.A goal down at halftime to Piquionne's header (17min), they conceded two soft scores in the second period to the home side after a decent Webber strike (55 min) .Piquionne (59min) was left with a tap in for his second goal of the night following Simonsen's fumble.Old stager Kanu completed the scoring (81 mins)following Glen Whelan's slip.
No real threat posed by The Potters, although Tuncay had the ball in the net from Arismendi's cross,but his effort was ruled offside.
Any pluses? Big Mama's return to action after his 7 month layoff.
Stoke: Simonsen , Griffin , Higginbotham , Cort , Lawrence (Soares 75) ,Tonge ,Whelan ,Pugh ,Arismendi ,Kitson (Sidibe ,55 ) ,Sanli (Moult ,82)
Subs not used Wedderburn,Lund,Parton,Connor,
A night to forget......
Stoke exited the Carling Cup in disappointing fashion at Fratton park.A goal down at halftime to Piquionne's header (17min), they conceded two soft scores in the second period to the home side after a decent Webber strike (55 min) .Piquionne (59min) was left with a tap in for his second goal of the night following Simonsen's fumble.Old stager Kanu completed the scoring (81 mins)following Glen Whelan's slip.
No real threat posed by The Potters, although Tuncay had the ball in the net from Arismendi's cross,but his effort was ruled offside.
Any pluses? Big Mama's return to action after his 7 month layoff.
Stoke: Simonsen , Griffin , Higginbotham , Cort , Lawrence (Soares 75) ,Tonge ,Whelan ,Pugh ,Arismendi ,Kitson (Sidibe ,55 ) ,Sanli (Moult ,82)
Subs not used Wedderburn,Lund,Parton,Connor,
Saturday, October 24, 2009
THE BOOKIES NEVER EXPECTED THIS !!
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0 V STOKE CITY 1
The pundits are agreed that Tottenham will finish in the top six this season.They have the quality players,an excellent management team,the pedigree.
By comparison Stoke are the mongrels,a collection of others misfits,who play one dimensional football.
Today's match will provide much food for thought,and may produce a revision of those ideas.It was certainly Stoke's day.Kranjar hit a post,and Beattie completed a miraculous clearance from under his own bar from a Crouch goalbound header.
Our first away win of the season at a ground where we never really coped last season, and others have been hammered out of sight this.A clean sheet against a prolific expensive forward line.A first win at White Hart Lane since the heady days of Greenhoff and Hudson nearly 40 years ago.
All this in front of England boss Fabio Capello.
Stoke,starting with two changes from last week with Wilkinson in for suspended Huth,and Simonsen a late substitute for flued up Sorensen,spent more time than was comfortable in their own last third in the early stages.Simonsen pulled off some fine saves,as the Stoke team grew in confidence,certainly defensively if not in terms of goal threat.
The second half pattern was similar with Stoke holding their own.It was not until the 86th minute that the deadlock was broken.Ricardo Fuller forced his way to the by-line.His cutback was met by substitute Glen Whelan,matching his fine effort for the Republic of Ireland recently,his right foot shot curling into the top corner of the net.
Stoke survived - despite 5 minutes of added on time- to record a momentous win.This keeps them in 9th spot.
After the match Tony Pulis was clearly a happy man.....but evidently a man with his feet firmly on the ground...already looking forward to a difficult derby match against Wolves next Saturday.
The pundits are agreed that Tottenham will finish in the top six this season.They have the quality players,an excellent management team,the pedigree.
By comparison Stoke are the mongrels,a collection of others misfits,who play one dimensional football.
Today's match will provide much food for thought,and may produce a revision of those ideas.It was certainly Stoke's day.Kranjar hit a post,and Beattie completed a miraculous clearance from under his own bar from a Crouch goalbound header.
Our first away win of the season at a ground where we never really coped last season, and others have been hammered out of sight this.A clean sheet against a prolific expensive forward line.A first win at White Hart Lane since the heady days of Greenhoff and Hudson nearly 40 years ago.
All this in front of England boss Fabio Capello.
Stoke,starting with two changes from last week with Wilkinson in for suspended Huth,and Simonsen a late substitute for flued up Sorensen,spent more time than was comfortable in their own last third in the early stages.Simonsen pulled off some fine saves,as the Stoke team grew in confidence,certainly defensively if not in terms of goal threat.
The second half pattern was similar with Stoke holding their own.It was not until the 86th minute that the deadlock was broken.Ricardo Fuller forced his way to the by-line.His cutback was met by substitute Glen Whelan,matching his fine effort for the Republic of Ireland recently,his right foot shot curling into the top corner of the net.
Stoke survived - despite 5 minutes of added on time- to record a momentous win.This keeps them in 9th spot.
After the match Tony Pulis was clearly a happy man.....but evidently a man with his feet firmly on the ground...already looking forward to a difficult derby match against Wolves next Saturday.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
FULLER MAGIC BURSTS HAMMERS BUBBLE.
STOKE CITY FC 2 WEST HAM UNITED 1
Ricado Fuller was at his impish best today.He was full of it,backheels,flicks,and just so powerful running.West Ham simply could not handle him at times.He made both goals.He may not be scoring himself at the moment,but he came really close on several occasions.
Stoke got off to a cracking start with James Beattie getting his first goal(11min) of the season from the penalty spot,after some neat football by the Potters cut through the visitors defence.Fuller received the ball,moving way from goal toward the corner flag.His backheel unhinged the Hammers defence putting Etherington in on goal.He was tripped in the area as he was about to shoot.
West Ham pressed for an equaliser,forcing Stoke back into their own half .From a corner Upson netted (34 mins).It looked as though Sorensen was coming for the ball,but then backtracked leaving the tall defender with an easy finish.
The second half saw serious attacking intent by West Ham,but with very little end product - hardly any shots on goal,although Shawcross brilliantly blocked an attempted effort by Cole when he looked odds on to score.
Stoke attacked on the break,and as the half progressed the visitors found Ricardo Fuller particularly hard to handle.He got to the by-line on a number of occasions cutting the ball across Green's goalmouth.Some of these efforts were wayward,but one was converted by the inrushing James Beattie for his second,and the winning goal(69 mins).Fuller skinned Upson on the right,shot across goal,Green at full stretch pushed the ball away only for it to be bundled into the net,along with the covering fullback.
On the upside a result we just about deserved,3 points ,and 9th spot in the Prem table,but make no mistake WHU were no mugs.On the down side we could be losing the services of Huth for a while if the FA decide that he did indeed cuff Upson.
Ricado Fuller was at his impish best today.He was full of it,backheels,flicks,and just so powerful running.West Ham simply could not handle him at times.He made both goals.He may not be scoring himself at the moment,but he came really close on several occasions.
Stoke got off to a cracking start with James Beattie getting his first goal(11min) of the season from the penalty spot,after some neat football by the Potters cut through the visitors defence.Fuller received the ball,moving way from goal toward the corner flag.His backheel unhinged the Hammers defence putting Etherington in on goal.He was tripped in the area as he was about to shoot.
West Ham pressed for an equaliser,forcing Stoke back into their own half .From a corner Upson netted (34 mins).It looked as though Sorensen was coming for the ball,but then backtracked leaving the tall defender with an easy finish.
The second half saw serious attacking intent by West Ham,but with very little end product - hardly any shots on goal,although Shawcross brilliantly blocked an attempted effort by Cole when he looked odds on to score.
Stoke attacked on the break,and as the half progressed the visitors found Ricardo Fuller particularly hard to handle.He got to the by-line on a number of occasions cutting the ball across Green's goalmouth.Some of these efforts were wayward,but one was converted by the inrushing James Beattie for his second,and the winning goal(69 mins).Fuller skinned Upson on the right,shot across goal,Green at full stretch pushed the ball away only for it to be bundled into the net,along with the covering fullback.
On the upside a result we just about deserved,3 points ,and 9th spot in the Prem table,but make no mistake WHU were no mugs.On the down side we could be losing the services of Huth for a while if the FA decide that he did indeed cuff Upson.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
SUPER HUTH NETS!
EVERTON 1 V STOKE CITY FC 1
Stoke regained their composure after the disaapointment against Man Utd,taking a welll deserved point from Everton,a marked improvement on last years effort at Goodison.
They took the lead on 50 mins when Huth rose majestically to head Etherington's corner kick into the home net.Unfortunately within 5 minutes Donny Osman scored with a long range shot to equalise.
Stoke put in a strong performance which augers well for the future.
Stoke regained their composure after the disaapointment against Man Utd,taking a welll deserved point from Everton,a marked improvement on last years effort at Goodison.
They took the lead on 50 mins when Huth rose majestically to head Etherington's corner kick into the home net.Unfortunately within 5 minutes Donny Osman scored with a long range shot to equalise.
Stoke put in a strong performance which augers well for the future.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)