Young Owls do the biz

This report from the official Stoke City FC website:

Peter Kopteff's superb individual goal was not enough to give City the win against the Owls at the Lyme Valley Stadium. The flying Finn opened the scoring in the 26th minute when, after picking the ball up in this own half, dribbled the ball past 6 players before slotting the ball home.

The game was not helped by torrential rain throughout, but a spirited fight back from the Yorkshire side in the second half saw them take home the points. Academy manager Noel Blake had the luxury of including six first team players into the starting lineup. Peter Sweeney, Karl Henry and Peter Kopteff all lined up in midfield for the Potters against a relatively inexperienced Wednesday outfit.

As the rain came down, the visitors started the brighter of the two teams, but it was Kopteff's sublime effort which ignited the home side. Martin Paterson set up Adam Rooney after half an hour while reserve captain Andy Wilkinson also tested 'keeper Ben Kirby.

It was much the same after the break as City dominated with Kopteff inspirational on the left wing, but a double substitution proved to be the catalyst for Wednesday. Scott Ellis deceived Robert Duggan with a curling effort on 63 minutes, while the game was put to bed soon after when Matthew Thorpe and Kyle Jordan netted. City had a chance to pull one back late on, but Carl Dickinson's header spun wide.

Half-time: Stoke 1-0 Owls