Rezzzies Tonight.

[Steven]

Double the Levi though

[Steven]

Jailbird scores.

Stoke City 1-0 Leicester

Posted on: Wed 10 Oct 2007

The latest from this evening's Pontins Holidays League clash against the Foxes live from the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke City 1 (Pericard 85)

Leicester City 0

[Steven]

From the Stoke OS.

Stoke City 1 Leicester City 0

Posted on: Wed 10 Oct 2007

Vincent Pericard's return to action saw him the score the decisive goal as the Potters reserves extended their unbeaten run to the season to six games.

The Frenchman clinically fired home from 20-yards five minutes from the end to wrap up an impressive individual performance.

First team coach Mark O'Connor fielded a mixed side ahead of the match featuring the likes of Pericard, Jon Parkin, Peter Sweeney and Demar Phillips.

it was the visitors started brightly though and they should have been ahead in the opening minute of play.

Foxes first team regular Jonathan Hayes powered forward, beating two defenders before rounding keeper Russel Hoult, but then comically fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

Barely three minutes later the visitors were awarded a penalty.

Levi Porter played a clever through ball to Dutch midfielder Sergio Hellings who was tripped in the box by captain Marlon Broomes.

But City keeper Hoult was on hand to brilliantly parry Ricky Sappleton's penalty, before clearing it away from danger.

The Potters created their first chance mid way through the first half but Parkin glanced his header wide following a great cross from Peter Sweeney.

Pericard, making his first start since his release from jail, went even closer for the Potters minutes later but his header was cleared off the line.

Both sides continued to create chances as the first half drew to a close, with Sweeney and Demar Phillips going closest for the hosts.

The second half restarted and former West Brom keeper Hoult produced two brilliant saves, thwarting Porter twice after being set free.

Pericard almost gave O'Connor's side the lead after neatly controlling and swivelling, but his driven effort flew inches past the post.

Sappleton should have made it 1-0 for the visitors in the 63rd minute, but after latching on to a clever cross, he nodded the ball over the bar from 4-yards.

Jamaican international Phillips set off on a number of dazzling runs down the left flank, but no one was on hand to divert his teasing balls across the box in to the back of the net.

Gambian trialist Seyfo Soley brilliantly cleared the danger after Porter burst through, while Broomes calmly swept up following a dangerous Hellings centre.

With the game looking likely to end in a draw, Pericard brilliantly controlled on the edge of the area before slipping the ball past the outstretched Leicester keeper to put the Potters ahead.

The Foxes could have levelled in the final few minutes with Porter again bursting through on goal, however Hoult reacted brilliantly to block his low shot, and then gather the ball from under the strikers feet.

CITY: Hoult; De Laet, Soley, Broomes, Hazley; D. Phillips, Wedderburn (J. Phillips 30), Thorley, Sweeney; Parkin, Pericard (Grocott 87). Subs: St. Louis-Hamilton, Keys, Owens.

LEICESTER: Henderson; Kaebi (Beswick 59), Hayes, Kenton, Rowe-Turner; Maybury, Hellings, Garner, Porter; McKay, Sappleton (Chambers, 76). Subs: Pentney, Djeziri, Cox.

[Milans Foxes]

Sounds like we should have won easily. Sappleton and Porter missing numerous chances, Hayes missing an open goal, a missed penalty. Sounds like Porter could have scored a hat-trick!

http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/pag...1132350,00.html

[Mark]

Kaebi subbed off again on the 59th minute?

[Nationwider]

Foxes first team regular Jonathan Hayes powered forward...

Hi.

I've just awoken from a long, long coma. Anyone care to fill me in on this piece of A1 journalism from the Stoke OS?

[Thracian]

Adding to the Stoke OS report:

Hayes' open goal came in less than 12 seconds and really was a candidate for football bloomers. The goal was gaping but he seemed to slip and mishit his shot completely. Extraordinary.

Sappleton's penalty was not much better. Sappleton has two particular characteristics. He hits shots like rifle bullets but he's about as subtle as a gnarled tree when it comes to ball control. Anything can happen when the ball hits his foot.

So why the much more natural marksman Billy McKay didn't take the penalty I don't know but Sappleton, instead of whacking it and playing to his strengths, toatally wasted the chance by trying to place it cleverly and without much pace into the corner.

Russell Hoult, a giant all night after his early scare, saved with ease.

Perhaps the best thing Sappleton did all night was not in attack but a clearance off the City goalline after Henderson tried to punch clear only for the ball to deflect backwards towards the far corner of the net where Sappleton fairly acrobatically, hoofed it clear.

Lathaniel Rowe-Turner was another to make a last ditch interception when John Parkin was about to blast home from five yards and Kenton performed similarly when Kaebi was beaten on the right and Stoke's low cross was whipped low across the front of City's goal.

City adoped the 5-3-2 formation favoured by Megson for the first team and, apart from the opening three minutes, City's entertainment rating on a one to ten scale in the opening period ranked about 0.5.

Second half was better. McKay had little joy first half but for a 10 minute period in the second he peppered the Stoke goal like a Gatling gun but, although hitting the target every time, always found Hoult in the right place to frustrate him. From one of his parried efforts he latched onto the loose bal and lifted a cross over to Sappleton who headed his best chance of the night over the bar.

Even after Pericard's winner Mc Kay seemed to have wriggled past Hoult for a certain equaliser but somehow he was foiled and Porter, with his back to the briefly vacant goal, just couldn't get round in time to pinch the equaliser.

Plus points?

Nothing that would threaten the first team and that isn't covered in the player ratings elsewhere.

MOM? No-one.

Final point: The referee was Ms A Rayner. Don't know what Mike Newell would have thought but I'd had given her 8/10. She looked on top of the job!

[Thracian]

Sounds like we should have won easily. Sappleton and Porter missing numerous chances, Hayes missing an open goal, a missed penalty. Sounds like Porter could have scored a hat-trick!

http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/pag...1132350,00.html

I didn't notice Porter "missing" any real chances. He certainly orchestrated the move that led to the penalty and was involved in much of our better work but as a creative player mostly. His chance at the end that was saved by Hoult was a half-chance at most. Basically he was facing the wrong way when the ball arrived in a mellee. McKay had the best chances and hit them well. But Hoult had all his angles right.

[Thracian]

Kaebi subbed off again on the 59th minute?

Don't know whether that was protecting his fitness after his injury the previous week or because we were getting exposed again on his flank and because he was showing very little initiative in going forward as a wing back.

Cue another week of Geo V wanting him in the frist team cos he's got 50 caps. :rolleyes

[Molson Canadian]

anyone who went to to game, what did you think of stoke's trialist seyfo soley ?

[Milky]

Don't know whether that was protecting his fitness after his injury the previous week or because we were getting exposed again on his flank and because he was showing very little initiative in going forward as a wing back.

Cue another week of Geo V wanting him in the frist team cos he's got 50 caps. :rolleyes

So, when one of your chosen men doesn't go forward, it's because he's been told not to by management (presumably taken over by those mysterious phantoms), but when Kaebi doesn't go forward, it's because of lack of initiative.

[Thracian]

So, when one of your chosen men doesn't go forward, it's because he's been told not to by management (presumably taken over by those mysterious phantoms), but when Kaebi doesn't go forward, it's because of lack of initiative.

In three years of watching Sheehan I have never known him not to get forward so it's reasonable to assume that, at Plymouth, he was ordered to concentrate on defensive duties although I don't think he was playing as a wing-back anyway.

With Kaebi he was. And why would a wing back be ordered not to go forward?

As for Chosen Men I had high hopes for Kaebi. At first I thought he might turn out a terrific player for us. Gradually I've been forced to change my mind.

If you think I'm pleased about that you're much mistaken.

He may adjust in time I don't know. But, sadly, there was not much evidence of it again tonight. Not as a wing back, not as a winger and not as a defender.

[The People's Hero]

Sounds like we should have won easily. Sappleton and Porter missing numerous chances, Hayes missing an open goal, a missed penalty. Sounds like Porter could have scored a hat-trick!

http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/pag...1132350,00.html

Hahahahahahahahahaha!

He'll have to drop a lot lower than the reserves to score a hat-trick!

Brilliant!

[The People's Hero]

In three years of watching Sheehan I have never known him not to get forward so it's reasonable to assume that, at Plymouth, he was ordered to concentrate on defensive duties although I don't think he was playing as a wing-back anyway.

With Kaebi he was. And why would a wing back be ordered not to go forward?

As for Chosen Men I had high hopes for Kaebi. At first I thought he might turn out a terrific player for us. Gradually I've been forced to change my mind.

If you think I'm pleased about that you're much mistaken.

He may adjust in time I don't know. But, sadly, there was not much evidence of it again tonight. Not as a wing back, not as a winger and not as a defender.

I love it.

Sheehan - extremely limited defender, only just got back in to the Ireland u21's side, known to have a poor attitude, putting some effort in now as contract approaches expiry, very ordinary Championship player, less than ordinary defensively but a mean set piece lifts him in to mediocrity. Any faults/mistakes due to being instructed to be rubbish by the management. Even Beaglehole, who wasn't Beaglehole at the point - someone else had 'got at him' (re:Plymouth) - Thracian loves him.

Kae'bi - International wing back. Genuine pace, flair, impact. Everything Thracian usually bangs on about in a player. - Thracian doesn't like him. Perhaps if he was a year younger and less foreign eh Thrac?

Tw at.

[Raj]

Final point: The referee was Ms A Rayner. Don't know what Mike Newell would have thought but I'd had given her one!. She looked liked she'd be good on the job!

Thrac...im disgusted!

Never thought you'd come down to our level but you have!

You should be ashamed of yourself!

[Raj]

P.s...i know its getting tedious and boring,but wtf is going on with kaebi???

Alot of people thought he's good,sounds like he's just shite...or am i talking shite??

Wouldn't be the first time!

[Geo V]

Hayes' open goal came in less than 12 seconds and really was a candidate for football bloomers. The goal was gaping but he seemed to slip and mishit his shot completely. Extraordinary.

Sappleton's penalty was not much better. Sappleton has two particular characteristics. He hits shots like rifle bullets but he's about as subtle as a gnarled tree when it comes to ball control. Anything can happen when it hits his foot.

So why the much more natural marksman Billy McKay didn't take the penalty I don't know but Sappleton, instead of whacking it and playing to his strengths, toatally wasted the chance by trying to place it cleverly and without much pace into the corner.

Russell Hoult, a giant all night after his early scare, saved with ease.

Perhaps the best thing Sappleton did all night was not in attack but a clearance off the City goalline after Henderson tried to punch clear only for the ball to deflect backwards towards the far corner of the net where Sappleton fairly acrobatically, hoofed it clear.

Lathaniel Rowe-Turner was another to make a last ditch interception when John Parkin was about to blast home from five yards and Kenton performed similarly when Kaebi was beaten on the right and Stoke's low cross was whipped low across the front of City's goal.

Second half was better. McKay had little joy first half but for a 10 minute period in the second he peppered the Stoke goal like a Gatling gun but, although hitting the target every time, always found Hoult in the right place to frustrate him. From one of his parried efforts he latched onto the loose bal and lifted a cross over to Sappleton who headed his best chance of the night over the bar.

Even after Pericard's winner Mc Kay seemed to have wriggled past Hoult for a certain equaliser but somehow he was foiled and Porter, with his back to the briefly vacant goal, just couldn't get round in time to pinch the equaliser.

I must not bite. I must not bite. I cant help it....

FFS its priceless!

McKay, was unlucky because all his shots found Hoult in the right place at the right time??!! FFS a striker is meant to put the ball away from the keeper! If that was Fryatt in the reserves a few weeks ago you would be moaning that he just cant finish.

Levi again gets a glowing report as a creative player.

It really is funny stuff.

[The People's Hero]

Notice how he hates Sappleton now that he's become a popular player.

[Geo V]

Notice how he hates Sappleton now that he's become a popular player.

As I just said on another thread, its also that he was actually bought and he hasn't had the opportunity to watch him from the age of about 14.

[Thracian]

I must not bite. I must not bite. I cant help it....

FFS its priceless!

McKay, was unlucky because all his shots found Hoult in the right place at the right time??!! FFS a striker is meant to put the ball away from the keeper! If that was Fryatt in the reserves a few weeks ago you would be moaning that he just cant finish.

Levi again gets a glowing report as a creative player.

It really is funny stuff.

Fryatt got lots of praise for his goals and his near misses in the reserves - plus a call for his return to the first team. Extraordinary that TPH would forget that.

As for Sappleton. I wouldn't want to describe it in detail. But, again, if, like Kaebi you want me to say he was desperately unlucky that his gentle but nicely placed penalty didn't send Hoult the wrong way or that his instant close control on the night reminded me of the much-missed Davie Gibson it's not a problem.

Perhaps he's set too high a standard for himself in previous matches and was bound to have a reaction.

Whatever, but I don't think he'd been fasting.

[Ric Flair]

Fryatt got lots of praise for his goals and his near misses in the reserves - plus a call for his return to the first team. Extraordinary that TPH would forget that.

As for Sappleton. I wouldn't want to describe it in detail. But, again, if, like Kaebi you want me to say he was desperately unlucky that his gentle but nicely placed penalty didn't send Hoult the wrong way or that his instant close control on the night reminded me of the much-missed Davie Gibson it's not a problem.

Perhaps he's set too high a standard for himself in previous matches and was bound to have a reaction.

Whatever, but I don't think he'd been fasting.

:laugh:

[Thracian]

Thrac...im disgusted!

Never thought you'd come down to our level but you have!

You should be ashamed of yourself!

I just knew someone would be alert.

[Geo V]

Fryatt got lots of praise for his goals and his near misses in the reserves - plus a call for his return to the first team. Extraordinary that TPH would forget that.

As for Sappleton. I wouldn't want to describe it in detail. But, again, if, like Kaebi you want me to say he was desperately unlucky that his gentle but nicely placed penalty didn't send Hoult the wrong way or that his instant close control on the night reminded me of the much-missed Davie Gibson it's not a problem.

Perhaps he's set too high a standard for himself in previous matches and was bound to have a reaction.

Whatever, but I don't think he'd been fasting.

Sappleton is obviously a raw talent who like most kids his age could end up at any end of the footballing scale. I cant comment on how good he is apart from to say that generally people are saying soem half decent stuff about the lad thus far.

The Kaebi thing is totally different. I`ll say it for the last time and hope it registers in that head of yours but I wont hold my breath. Kaebi is a young, current International footballer who has been linked in the press over the last 24 months to clubs like Arsenal, Spurs and Aston Villa. Obviously those clubs decided against making a move but we grabbed him ahead of allegedly a few clubs around this level. We could only get him to commit to a 2 year deal. Now this guy has gone straight into the reserves and hasn't been played and doesn't look like playing. I personally think when you sign players of this reputation that they don't have to prove themselves initially. You play them and drop them if they fail and not sling them in the reserves with no seeming chance of a first team opportunity.

[Lineker's Left Foot]

Sounds like we should have won easily. Sappleton and Porter missing numerous chances, Hayes missing an open goal, a missed penalty. Sounds like Porter could have scored a hat-trick!

http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/pag...1132350,00.html

Sappleton is shocking... worst striker I've seen in a Leicester shirt of some description.. honestly !!

[Thracian]

Sappleton is obviously a raw talent who like most kids his age could end up at any end of the footballing scale. I cant comment on how good he is apart from to say that generally people are saying soem half decent stuff about the lad thus far.

The Kaebi thing is totally different. I`ll say it for the last time and hope it registers in that head of yours but I wont hold my breath. Kaebi is a young, current International footballer who has been linked in the press over the last 24 months to clubs like Arsenal, Spurs and Aston Villa. Obviously those clubs decided against making a move but we grabbed him ahead of allegedly a few clubs around this level. We could only get him to commit to a 2 year deal. Now this guy has gone straight into the reserves and hasn't been played and doesn't look like playing. I personally think when you sign players of this reputation that they don't have to prove themselves initially. You play them and drop them if they fail and not sling them in the reserves with no seeming chance of a first team opportunity.

You really ought to watch them if you want to form a proper opinion. I'm saying nothing more. Yesterday's game is over. I look forward to both playing well next time out. But not for a minute do I expect it to be in the first team. Cos I wouldn't play anyone in the first team without damned good reason.