
Match Report
Salop started pre-season with a 1-0 win over Stoke City at their Clayton Wood training complex this afternoon.
Both sides played a first-half XI and a second-half XI with a mixture of senior players and academy scholars featuring throughout.
The only goal of the game came from Callum Stewart, who slid the ball home after good work from Luca Hoole.
Stoke's best chance fell to Chinonso Chibueze, who struck the post in the closing stages.
Report:
Town started brightest and the opening chance fell to Jack Loughran with roughly 15 minutes played.
Playing up top, he latched onto Tom Sang's piercing through-ball before firing goalward.
Fortunately for Stoke, Jack Bonham in the home net got down smartly to deny the youngster.
The first opportunity for the hosts came just before the half-hour mark when midfielder Ben Pearson found himself in space.
However, he put his effort just above the target.
The rate of chances started to increase as each side came close to breaking the deadlock within moments of Pearson's miss.
First, Salop responded instantly when 17-year-old Reuben Falding burst forward from right wing-back to collect Mal Benning's crossfield ball.
He steadied himself to shoot, but Bonham was again equal to the effort.
Favour Fawumi then bit back for the Potters, arrowing an effort towards the far post.
This time, Toby Savin was called upon to produce a smart save that kept the score level.
Salop started the second half with dominance and could've taken the lead within three minutes.
A brilliant flowing move involving six of Town's outfield players saw the ball worked from the left-hand side of defence to the right side of the opposition box.
There, Harrison Biggins whipped in a deep cross that John Marquis couldn't quite turn home.
But Town kept up their pressure and got the lead within the first five minutes of the second period.
Hoole played a clever through-ball to Stewart, who nipped in front of Frank Fielding to slide the ball home.
Biggins and Marquis then each went close to doubling Town's lead before the hosts worked their way back into the game.
Their first chance after the interval came when Chibueze forced Savin into a smart save just before the hour mark.
Nathan Lowe then had a strike ruled out for offside.
As the game entered the final ten minutes, Chibueze created Stoke's best chance of the game, striking the post from the edge of the box.
Lowe then came close again, taking the ball around Savin.
However, Town's number one recovered brilliantly to make the save and help his side see out a win in their first game of pre-season.
Line-ups:
First half XI: Toby Savin, Mal Benning, Will Boyle, Sam Clucas, George Lloyd, Tom Sang, Will Gray, Reuben Falding, Ollie Hall, Sam Stubbs, Jack Loughran
Stoke City first half XI: Bonham (GK), Tchamadeu, Dixon, Wilmot, Bocat, Pearson, Burger, Baker, Fawunmi, Maskall, Tezgel
Second half XI: Toby Savin, Luca Hoole, Harrison Biggins, Taylor Perry, Toto Nsiala, George Nurse, Callum Stewart, John Marquis, Isaac England, Karsten Cairns, Joe Morris
Stoke City second half XI: Fielding (GK), Agina, Griffin, Bickerton, Giani, Sidibe, Seko, Curley, Smith, Lowe, Chibueze

