the potters 2
Ben Kershaw and Kahrel Reddin scored two superb late goals from distance to secure victory at St. George’s Park, after Nikola Jojić had given the Potters the lead. The Serbia Under-21 international added his third goal in five PL2 appearances on 31 minutes when he capitalised on an error made by Forest goalkeeper George Shelvey, who couldn’t claim a cross from Liam McCarron, presenting the <strong>City</strong> winger with the chance to finish at close range. Forest found a way back into the game in the early stages of the second half when Julian LAST MATCH: 16/12/23, The Den EFL Championship NEXT UP: 26/12/23 The Den EFL Championship Larsson managed to wriggle away from defender Jake Griffin before slotting beyond Blondy Nna Noukeu. The Potters came close to restoring their lead only a minute later when Nathan Lowe saw his close-range shot cleared off the line by a Forest defender. However, Kershaw restored <strong>City</strong>’s advantage ten minutes from time when he fired a powerful right-footed volley beyond Shelvey. Reddin then added to the Potters’ tally to secure three points in the dying moments of the game when he latched onto a perfect pass from Jack Griffiths before driving a low finish home. <strong>City</strong>’s Under-21s will be back in action when they take on Norwich <strong>City</strong> in PL2 at Clayton Wood on Monday, January 8 (7pm kick-off). TUESDAY DECEMBER 12, 2023 EFL CHAMPIONSHIP | BET365 STADIUM REFEREE: DAVID WEBB are embarking on a new adventure under a fairly new head coach and there are sure to be plenty of twists and turns ahead for the Lions. The South London club sat 15th in the division when Rowett left The Den but the fixture list has been tough on new head coach Joe Edwards, meaning <strong>Millwall</strong> have dropped to 20th in the table. Play-off chasing Sunderland have been welcomed to South London since Edwards’ arrival and the Lions have also faced off against automatic promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town and Leicester <strong>City</strong>. The Lions have amassed five points since Edwards’ appointment, although their tough run of fixtures tells a story of its own, and with the January transfer window fast approaching, the new head coach will have the opportunity to make changes to his squad as he sees fit. “This one is talking about bringing in players to make an impact,” the 37-year-old recently told the South London Press. “For those ones who can really make an impact then you’re normally talking about players who have been elsewhere in the first half of the season and really standing out. “It then becomes a really competitive market. You get other clubs that, sometimes if they have a bigger budget, are able to trump you. “There are other situations like the rate of injuries continues to grow – across the board. Therefore clubs have got players in their squad that although they are not getting loads of game time – I’m sure the player would want to get out and play – some managers will simply just be scared to leave themselves short.” The turn of the year sees the fixture list, on paper, ease a little for the Lions although the typical nature of the Championship applies with any team able to beat another on a given day. Last season the Lions departed the bet365 Stadium with maximum points thanks to Zion Flemming’s solitary strike. The Potters’ last three points against the Lions in ST4 came in March 2022 when Jacob Brown and a George Saville own-goal were enough for the three points. Jack Bonham also denied Jed Wallace from the penalty spot that very same day. 13 BONHAM 17 HOEVER 23 MCNALLY 05 ROSE 02 GOOCH ■ 04 PEARSON ■ 28 LAURENT ■ 19 MMAEE j 22 RUSHWORTH 02 KEY 05 CABANGO ■ 06 DARLING 14 TYMON 04 FULTON 08 GRIMES e’re on somewhat of a break from the fixture list currently with our next match scheduled for January 7 when we face a trip to Huddersfield Town. But, of course, that doesn’t mean the hard work has been paused, we’re still working as hard as ever to make sure we’re in the best place possible when we return to action. There was disappointment our Staffordshire County Cup match against Hednesford Town was called off on December 17 due to conditions that were beyond our control. We were ready to put in a competitive performance and hopefully secure our progress to the next round of the competition. But once the tie is rearranged we’ll be ready to put our all into the match and ensuring we progress as far as we possibly can. Finally I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year for a positive second half of the campaign to add to the first half we have already had. Enjoy the match Marie A relative rookie in managerial terms, Joe Edwards took his first steps into senior management when he accepted the <strong>Millwall</strong> head coach’s position back in November. The 37-year-old’s playing career came to an early end following his release by Chelsea at the age of 16 before he moved almost immediately into coaching. After being appointed Chelsea U18s manager in 2014, Edwards would lead the Blues to two consecutive FA Youth Cups. The 37-year-old continued to work his way up the coaching rankings in West London before being named assistant manager to Frank Lampard when the Chelsea legend returned to Stamford Bridge in 2019/20. After Lampard’s departure the following season, Edwards SUNDAY DECEMBER 17, 2023 EFL CHAMPIONSHIP | THE HAWTHORNS REFEREE: ANDREW KITCHEN Official Women’s Team Partner remained at the Bridge working under Thomas Tuchel as the Blues went on to win the 2020/21 Champions League following a 1-0 victory over Manchester <strong>City</strong> in the final. Edwards once again moved with Lampard when the former England midfielder was named Everton manager as well as towards the end of last term when Lampard returned to Chelsea as interim manager. A brief interim spell in charge of England’s U20s followed his final spell as assistant manager at Chelsea before the 37-yearold moved to The Den in early November. GAMES 24 PALMER 02 FURLONG 05 BARTLEY ■ 04 KIPRÉ 03 TOWNSEND 35 YOKUSLU ■ 07 WALLACE 21 THOMAS-ASANTE 13 BONHAM 17 HOEVER 23 MCNALLY 05 ROSE 15 THOMPSON 28 LAURENT 06 BURGER ■ 02 GOOCH 12 JOHNSON the potters the potters the potters TODAY’S VISITORS MILWALL FC After four years under the charges of the experienced Gary Rowett, <strong>Millwall</strong> THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF STOKE CITY FOOTBALL CLUB Editor: Ryan Crompton | Contributors: Pete Smith, Sohail Sahi | Photography: Phil Greig, Alamy, Rex Features | Designed and Published by Ignition Sports Media Ltd www.ignitionsportsmedia.com | Commercial Director: Lee.Berry@ignitionsportsmedia.com | Print: Stephens & George Ltd ACADEMY NEWS <strong>Stoke</strong> <strong>City</strong> Under-21s overcame Nottingham Forest by securing a 3-1 victory on Monday evening. By Louis Eccleston the potters millwall 1 huddersfield 1 millwall v qpr HEAD COACH JOE EDWARDS joe edwards managerial career: 14 15 stoke city 1 swansea city 1 match stats the potters 31 potters XI 06 BURGER j THOMPSON f (81) 24 TCHAMADEU j LOWE f (90+3) 12 JOHNSON j JUNHO f (73) swansea XI 12 PATERSON j COOPER f (75) 18 PATINO j BOLASIE f (45) ■ 10 LOWE j CULLEN f (76) 09 YATES j WALSH f (66) west brom 1 stoke city 1 7WON 1DRAWN 2LOST 4WIN PERCENTAGE possession possession 44% 56% 65% 35% attempts “We were aggressive in terms of trying to attempts 16 8 16 9 get the ball back and when we got it we “I thought we showed real quality at times. on target on target 4 2 broke with real pace and created some 7 1 I told the players to believe in themselves corners really good opportunities. The effort, corners and go and play with confidence. The most 6 3 drive, determination and togetherness 11 11 pleasing thing was that we looked like a fouls was excellent, you could see the fouls team. Coming here is always a difficult game, 11 14 9 14 communication between the players, which you have to stand up and face the challenge. yellow cards yellow cards 3 2 was key, and I thought we played on the 3 1 They have a good manager and are really red cards front foot and created chances.” red cards well-organised.” 0 0 PAUL GALLAGHER 0 0 PAUL GALLAGHER 20 21 STOKE CiTY WOMEN Good afternoon and welcome back to the bet365 Stadium for this afternoon’s match. W match stats the potters 33 14% west brom XI 27 MOWATT j MOLUMBY f (87) 11 DIANGANA j FELLOWS f (71) ■ 17 SARMIENTO j PIPA f (77) potters XI 22 JUNHO j WESLEY f (69) 19 MMAEE j VIDIGAL f (69) the potters 3