Potters secure Crewe win

• City run out 2-1 winners at Mornflake Stadium
• Sanders scores early opener in South Cheshire
• Vidigal nets brace as Potters come from behind

Stoke City stepped up their preparations for the 24/25 season by running out 2-1 winners over League Two side Crewe Alexandra.

After falling behind to an early Max Sanders effort, a second half brace from André Vidigal earned victory for Steven Schumacher’s side.

The Potters continue their pre-season fixture programme with a trip to 23/24 League Two champions Stockport County on Saturday (2pm kick-off).

The Alex were quick out of the blocks at the Mornflake Stadium and opened the scoring inside the first 120 seconds when a short corner was played to Sanders, whose floated delivery evaded everyone inside the box and the ball nestled inside the far corner.

City quickly set about looking for an equaliser and young forward Emre Tezgel almost did so as he connected with Eric Bocat’s cross from the left, only to see a defender get a touch on the ball and it land on the roof of the net.

A neat move which included Wouter Burger, Bae Junho and Tezgel then freed Bocat inside the box and the energetic Frenchmen fired a shot at goal that Tom Booth kept out with his legs.

Crewe went close to making it two in an open contest when Kane Hemmings connected with a cross from the right, diverting a shot a yard wide of the upright.

Just before the half hour mark, Sanders fancied his chances of scoring a second from a similar position to his opener, however his curling effort this time flew inches off target.

Booth was forced into his second save of the evening moments later when he tipped away a fierce drive from Lewis Baker, who was positioned 30 yards from goal.

The former Chelsea midfielder drew another save from the keeper after picking up a loose ball, driving forward, and firing a low drive from the edge of the area.

City stepped up their efforts for a leveller as the half drew towards a close and Burger went mightily close to scoring when he met Baker’s cross, but a full length save from Booth allowed the keeper to tip it behind.

Ben Wilmot was the next City player to force Booth into action moments into the second period after the centre half met Million Manhoef's delivery from a corner.

Down at the other end, Jack Lankester cut inside on his left foot and curled a shot inches wide of Johansson’s far post.

The Potters made wholesale changes on 60 minutes and two of them made an immediate impact as City pulled level. A cross from Lynden Gooch was headed onto his own post by a defender and Vidigal pounced on the goalline.

City sensed they could score a second to win the clash and camped themselves in the Crewe half by dominating possession of the ball.

Mehdi Léris almost netted a winner in the dying embers when he controlled a clearance inside the box and volleyed a shot towards goal, however it took a slight deflection and flashed narrowly wide of the far post.

The Algerian did play his part in securing victory for the visitors with three minutes of normal time remaining when his fierce drive was saved by Booth and Vidigal fired the rebound into the roof of the net.  

Stoke City: Johansson (Bonham 60’), Tchamadeu (Léris 60’), Wilmot (Dixon 60’), Gibson (Rose 46’ (Lowe 85’)), Bocat (Stevens 60’), Burger (Sidibe 60’), Baker (Laurent 60’), Thompson (Johnson 60’), Manhoef (Vidigal 60’), Tezgel (Ennis 60’), Junho (Gooch 60’).
Subs: Fielding