By Niall Cope

  • U23s overcome Altrincham at Clayton Wood
  • Kevin Russell’s side fight back after falling behind
  • Norton, Porter, Trialist, Coates & Wright-Phillips net

Stoke City’s U23s recorded a comfortable 5-1 victory over National League side Altrincham this afternoon in their penultimate pre-season friendly.

After falling behind to an early goal, Kevin Russell’s side stormed back thanks to goals from Christian Norton, Adam Porter, a trialist, Kieran Coates and D’Margio Wright-Phillips.

The young Potters will face National League North outfit AFC Telford United on Saturday afternoon before they kick-off their Premier League 2 campaign at home to Birmingham City.

On a warm afternoon at Clayton Wood, it was the visitors who were quickest out of the blocks and they forged ahead within six minutes when Marcus Dinagna fired home from close range.

The Robins almost doubled their lead minutes later with two efforts in quick succession but Scottish goalkeeper Robbie Hemfrey was equal to both strikes.

Those saves proved to be the turning point in the contest as soon after the home side started to seize control, equalising just before the half hour mark when Norton stroked home from the penalty spot.

The leveller was quickly followed by another City goal. After Will Goodwin had seen his effort well-saved, the ball was worked to Porter who curled a delightful effort into the top corner.

Before the half was out the Potters almost extended their lead but the visitors managed to scramble shots off the goalline from Norton and Goodwin.

Russell’s charges didn’t have to wait long into the second half to make it three, however, as a trialist surged forward and unleashed a ferocious drive into the roof of the net.

Coates netted City’s fourth less than 180 seconds later when Goodwin allowed a pass to reach the wing back, who fired his shot across the keeper into the bottom corner.

As the half wore on, the Potters could quite easily have added to their tally courtesy of Ibrahima Sy and Douglas Taylor, however it was fellow sub Wright-Phillips who netted the final goal with minutes remaining, smashing home Eddy Jones’ left-wing cross.

Stoke City: Hemfrey, Trialist (Baker 52), Trialist (Okagbue 52), Macari, Trialist (Coates 45), Sparrow (Sy 65), Porter (Jarrett 65), Jones, Norton (Wright-Phillips 60), Goodwin (Taylor 60), Trialist (Trialist 45).