Stoke (1) 3 Stevenage (0) 1 – 29/1/23 2pm
Captain Josh Laurent hit a crackerjack winner at a crucial time in a game that Stoke looked like winning all along. Stevenage gave City a fright with an equalising goal that replays showed to be offside. But the small crowd were sent away happy after what was – for once – a decent game of football at the bet365. Here’s how the game unfolded in real time:
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Minutes before kick-off and there are more Stevenage supporters than Potters! Even crashing the prices hasn’t worked for the club, as they find themselves in free-fall when it comes to supporter engagement. 4 changes means Lewis Baker loses his place to new boy Bersant Celina. Connor Taylor takes on the big-guy-at-the-back role. Stevenage wear “Twitch” purple (as they’re sponsored by Prime Gaming, owners of Twitch!). Cute. Makes me think of Charlie Adam!
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1.58 1-0 !!!! Jacob Brown wins two corners, and from the second he fires home unmarked at the far post. Corner duties to Celina, but headed on by little Ben Wilmot, of all people. TOO EASY! Stevenage supporters really indignant.
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4.38 Bersant Celina curls a shot just wide with the ease of a future star. See how long that lasts.
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14.30 Connor Taylor has to be helped off, with an ankle/foot injury. Despite Taylor spending minutes on the floor getting treatment, Stoke don’t bother getting a replacement ready.
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16.22 Phil Jagielka finally comes on for Stoke. Then Stevenage make a change. Unusual.
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34.38 Stevenage’s Max Clark makes the firmest tackle ever, halting Tyrese in his track. Watch out for Max!
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42.35 Another injury, this time to Stevenage’s Vancooten (another foot injury).
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45+5 HT City 1 Borough 0 (Stevenage used to be called Stevenage Borough!)
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49.01 The away fans try to make it sound like a home game.
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Attendance is a frankly an unbelievable 14,392 (with 3291 away fans).
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56.30 Alex Neil talking earnestly to Lewis Baker, who looks like he’s coming on…but for whom??
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59.30 Smallbone chases their defence all over, and eventually is penalised unfairly. 2 minutes later, Will is subbed for Baker, but the crowd is unimpressed! Baker has something to prove. Juicy
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63.45 Ball hits Laurent’s arm when it’s by his side, but Stevenage players go mad. Ref is having none of it, and repeatedly has to explain the law to them all.
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66.30 Camera tries to capture Alex Neil, but Steve Evans’ body gets in the way. Really!
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67.40 Bersant Celina, who’s been setting up Tyrese with some tasty balls, has a brilliant shot clip the bar.
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69.15 1-1 !! Absolute chaos in the Stoke defence from a Stevenage goal kick, Jamie Reid is offside, but slips the ball past Bonham, and Wilmot can’t stop it, tripping up into the goal. Laughable.
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72.05 2-1 !!!! What a goal!!!! Josh Laurent picks it up on the edge of the box, outruns his man, and curls it into the top corner!! Best Stoke goal for years! Josh looks like he’s in tears, and for this, we can forgive that!
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76.12 Jake Taylor’s shot hits the side netting, and it’s the time to mock the Stevenage fans who think it’s a goal!
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77.20 Campbell & Sterling replaced by Fox and on comes newbie Ki-Jana Hoever.
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78.20 Penalty! Jacob Brown brought down by Tomkinson. Bit weak.
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79.35 3-1 !!! Lewis Baker blasts the penalty past Ashby-Hammond like he’s not even there. Stoke scoring penalties!! I know!!!
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86.14 As Thompson gets away with a penalty, Celina is elbowed in the face. Nasty.
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90+5 City cruise through to the 5th round. Bring on the Saints! Away!
