City youngster Ryan Brunt bagged a hat trick as a reserve side blended with youth and experience beat Walsall 4-1 at Clayton Woods.
Maybe more importantly for Stoke was Icelandic legend Eidur Gudjohnsen's fitness, after the summer signing completed 90 minutes for the first time since arriving from Monaco.
City went ahead through 17-year-old Brunt before Michael Tonge scored on half time to double the advantage.
Brunt added a third after the hour mark and, after the visitors pulled a goial back shortly after, the ex-Bristol City youngster completed his hat trick with a smart finish from 15 yards in the final minute.
Stoke: St.Louis-Hamilton; Hedley, Davies, Shotton, Wint; Soares, Lund, Pugh, Tonge; Gudjohnsen, Brunt