Defeat from the jaws of victory – Stoke City fall 1-2 at Birmingham

Stoke remain rock bottom after snatching defeat from victory. Deflected goal for a winner, it’s just not going Nathan’s way. Where to now? “Back to the drawing board” reckoned Brother Nathan after the game:
Here’s how the game unfolded in real time:
A huge fox ran across the pitch at about 1.50! Will it bring luck to The Potters, or bite them in the bum? 5 changes from the Leeds league debacle – Joe Allen thinks it’s safe to return, and Terminator Batth thinks a goal in the Caraboa means he can be captain again. Ince is back to shoot off-target (no doubt). Jack Butland though isn’t even on the bench, but subs now include Vokes and Indi. Strength in numbers. Remember, if Joe Allen scores, Nathan is a genius for resting him (or so Brother Nath told us in the press conference). So today we’re looking for a genius…
2.59 Gregory is surprised to receive the ball and not be offside, and hits it bloody hard at keeper Lee Camp. Poor sod. Subsequent corner results in comical Ince volley mis-hit.
9.03 Liam Lindsay does the obligatory pass-to-nobody-at-all.
9.45 Federici caught dawdling, but luckily wins free kick for falling over.
24.51 After a great move, Birmingham blot their copy-book Jefferson (what was his mother thinking of naming him this) Montero falls over expecting to get a free-kick, presumptuously handling the ball as he hits the deck. Ref unimpressed and gives Batth the free-kick. “What the hell was THAT?” ask the nearby Stoke fans. However, “Jeff” stays down and stretchered off.
37.19 Etebo takes a shot. Nothing to write home about.
41.45 After letting the ball bounce too much again, Batth wrestles Alvaro Gimenez (?) to the ground whilst failing to clear, and SOMEHOW doesn’t give away an obvious penalty. Gimmy stays down & looks like he’s been attacked by The Terminator, which in affect he has.
Half Time: Unlucky-Not-To-Have-Penalty 0 Stoke 0
45.01 Brum midfielder Ivan Sunjic is Joe Allen’s twin brother. But then Tommy Smith looks like son-of-Nathan-Jones.
50.30 STOKE HIT THE POST. Clucas puts Gregory through, but ball slowly comes off post for Allen to hit rebound into side-netting. Stoke’s big chance…gone?!
56.03 Etebo shoots again. Again, nothing to write home about. Not even worth a text-message.
57.45 1-0 !! Liam Lindsay heads in a Smith free-kick…even after the ball had bounced in the area. Red flare in away end. Brother Nathan will go mad it Stoke don’t win from this!
62.53 Heroics from Batth to stop equaliser.  Who’s rattled Birmingham’s cage??!
70.27 Stoke fans sing that they are unimpressed with Birmingham’s quality as City are winning away. Doesn’t last long.
72.19 1-1 !! Jutkiewicz heads down & over Federici into the top corner of the net. First time Brum have looked dangerous.
75.03 1-2 !! Deflected shot by Bellingham beats Federici. Rotten luck for Stoke, particularly as it comes off goalscorer Liam. Now Birmingham have woken up, Stoke look fragile.
79.30 Ince gets his obligatory shot on target – easily saved, of course. In other news, TommyS has changed into a numberless shirt. When did that happen?
83.45 Duffy replaces Ince. Hogan already on for Stephen Ward.
84.35 More heroics at the back from Federici & Lindsay, so Tyrese comes on for Gregory.
90+6 Stoke stay rock bottom as Birmingham somehow beat them. When will Stoke win in the league?! No really. When???!
Dave Lee
Dave Lee
Sports Reporter - Stoke City

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