- Tyrese Campbell hits first half brace against Aston Villa.
- Striker's goals help side to 2-0 victory at Harrison Park.
- Several other first team professionals feature in front of Nathan Jones.
A first half brace from Tyrese Campbell proved enough for the U23s to record a second consecutive win in Premier League 2 against Aston Villa.
The forward netted his first from the penalty spot in the 17th minute, before he headed in another soon after to wrap up a comfortable victory for Kevin Russell’s side.
The win follows on from the 4-3 success over Swansea City at the end of August and as a result retains the team’s third place position in the Division 2 table.
Campbell was one of a handful of first team professionals named in the Potters line up at Harrison Park, with Adam Davies, Stephen Wards, Nathan Collins, Mark Duffy and Sam Vokes also starting.
Watched by first team manager Nathan Jones and his coaching staff, City made a bright start and after Jake Dunwoody and Duffy were denied by Viljami Sinisalo, they made the breakthrough.
Campbell forced his way into the box and was pulled back by a defender, resulting in a spot-kick from which the striker dispatched, despite the ‘keeper diving in the same direction.
One was soon to become two when Stephen Ward burst down the left before forcing Sinsalo to parry his effort into the path of Campbell who headed home from close range.
Having opened up a two-goal lead, the Potters almost let the visitors back into the contest soon after as they hit the woodwork twice in the space of 60 seconds..
Campbell nearly grabbed himself a hat-trick before the half was out but Sinisalo dropped to his left to keep out a flicked near-post effort following Will Forrester’s right-wing cross.
The visitors came out of the traps the much brighter side following the break, and peppered the City goal with plenty of shots, although those on target rarely troubled Davies.
Down at the other end and Daniel Jarvis almost widened the scoreline midway through the second period but Sinisalo tipped his 14-yard effort onto the post.
The woodwork continued to be struck as the game draw to a conclusion, Jacob Ramsey left frustrated for Villa, while Duffy saw an injury time free-kick tipped onto the framework by the busy Sinisalo.
Stoke City: Davies, Forrester (Pemberton 85), Ward, Sorensen, Collins, McJannet, Dunwoody, Duffy, Vokes (Sankoh 62), Campbell (Kyeremateng 62). Unused: Nna Noukeu, Kigbu.