City Cruise Into Carling Cup Quarter Finals

Stoke City 2-0 Rotherham United

The Potters booked their place in the quarter finals of the League Cup with a comfortable victory over a brave Rotherham side.
Boss Tony Pulis made a number of changes to the team that drew 0-0 at Wigan on Saturday, but even an under strength side proved too much for Stoke's League 2 opponants.

Stoke should have been ahead inside the first ten minutes when the re-called Dave Kitson played in Vincent Pericard, only for the striker to blaze way over when one on one with keeper Andy Warrington. With Stoke's record against lower league opposition in this competition it was misses like this that could have had fans feeling nervous.

But any nerves were to be settled in the 19th minute. Referee Mark Halsey awarded a dubious free kick to Stoke for a high challenge on Glenn Whelan, and it was the Republic of Ireland international who picked himself up to flight home a delightful free kick into the bottom corner leaving Warrington no chance.

In all fairness it was all the Potters deserved after a lively start. As the game wore on you could almost sense, if needed, Stoke had another gear, but were dealing comfortably with all that was thrown at them by the Millers.
Richard Cresswell was unlucky not to double the advantage just before the break when a swiverling shot from just inside the box was superbly tipped onto the post by Warrington and cleared by the Rotherham defence.

The Millers came out fighting in the second half and only a smart reaction save from Steve Simonsen prevented them from drawing level. A deep cross from the left found striker Reuben Reid who saw his half volley from close range expertly tipped away by Simonsen.


But moments later the tie was effectivly over when the impressive Kitson combined with Danny Pugh on the edge of the box, with Pugh sliding the ball past the on rushing keeper. Pugh treated the crowd to a backward summersault celebration as he marked what was his first goal for the Potters in style.

Stoke, and in particular Dave Kitson was unfortunate not to add to the scoreline late on. The luckless striker was denied that elusive first goal for the club when he turned home a rebound, following a Cresswell effert, only to see the goal ruled out for offside.

A good effert from the visitors made the game reasonably entertaining for the 15,000 strong crowd, but the Potters proved far too strong in the end and were very worthy of their quarter final place as the League Cup adventure continued.

Man of the Match - Dave Kitson - Top draw effert that only lacked that crucial first goal

Attendance - 15,458

Stoke: Simonsen, Wilkinson, Cort, Shawcross, Dickinson, Pugh, Whelan, Olofinjana (Amdy Faye,58), Cresswell, Kitson, Pericard (Fuller,73)

Rotherham: Warrington, Mills, Sharps, Fenton, Nicholas, Rhodes, Danny Harrison (Taylor,70), Cummins, Tonge, Broughton (Yates,88), Reid