Stoke City 2-2 CA Osasuna

  Stoke finished their pre-season preparations with an indifferent performance in a 2-2 draw against La liga side Osasuna at the Britannia Stadium. With the season just a week away, the Potters are in good form, having won five, drawn one and lost just one of their pre-season matches.

  Dave Kitson, Seyi Olofinjana and Thomas Sorensen made home debuts for Stoke while the game also saw the return from injury of last year’s joint top scorers, Ricardo Fuller and Liam Lawrence, who both came on as second half substitutes.

  The game started slowly, and it was fifteen minutes before either team had an effort at goal, Dave Kitson having his shot blocked by Cesar Cruchaga. Osasuna then began to settle into the game, with young winger Juanfran looking particularly menacing but it was Stoke who broke the deadlock on 27 minutes, Ryan Shawcross heading a Glenn Whelan corner into the bar and then following up his own effort to nod it home.

  The lead lasted just seven minutes though, as former Birmingham and Espanol striker Walter Pandiani  heading homee powerfully from 12 yards after darting through the City defensive pairing of Shawcross and Leon Cort.

  Stoke hit back just before half time, as once again Ryan Shawcross powerfully met a corner from Whelan, his effort striking the legs of Portugeuse ‘keeper Ricardo before striking the unknowing Rory Delap and crossing the line.

  Tony Pulis, who was watching the game from the stands, rung the changes in the second half, making multiple substitutions including the introductions of Fuller and Lawrence and Charlton trialist midfielder Amdy Faye.

  With quarter of a hour remaining, Osasuna pegged Stoke back once more though, Nekonam scoring with a strong and well placed header into the top right corner of Thomas Sorensen’s net.

  Stoke came close to snatching a winner at the death, Vincent Pericard striking the outside of the post after linking well with fellow substitute Jon Parkin.

Stoke team (4:4:2):

                         Sorensen

Wilkinson  Shawcross  Cort  Griffin (c)

Delap  Olofinjana  Whelan  Cresswell

                    Sidibe  Kitson

Subs: Lawrence for Wilkinson (57), Buxton for Shawcross (81), Pericard for Griffin (81), Dickinson for Delap (57), Fuller for Olofinjana (68), Faye for Whelan (68), Pugh for Cresswell (81), Diao for Sidibe (57), Parkin for Kitson (81)

Subs not used: Simonsen

Attendance: 5419

Highlights:
[youtube:http://youtube.com/watch?v=6QU4dbH0Ft]

                       

                                   Trialist Amdy Faye featured for Stoke