An experienced Stoke City side overcame Reading U23’s earlier this week, defeating the young Royals side 3-0.
The Stoke City side included former Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici as well as other first team players including Mame Biram Diouf and Thibaud Verlinden.
Scott Marshall’s side fell behind in the 31st minute. Verlinden stood over a free kick on the edge of the box, before dispatching his effort beyond Liam Driscoll and in to the top corner.
It was a case of déjà vu just three minutes later, with the hosts being awarded a free kick in a similar position to the opening goal. This time it was the 21-year-old right back Tom Edwards who stepped up and curled an effort past Driscoll to double the Potter advantage.
Patrick Jarrett then completed the scoring for the hots, finishing beyond Driscoll in the Royals net for Stoke City’s third.
Marshall’s men battled for a consolation with both Ryan East and Werick Caetano coming close, but it wasn’t to be as the hosts ran out winners by three goals to nil.
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