Eight of the starters for the Spaniards last night also started the UEFA cup final so this was no second string, although notable absentees were goalkeeper Canizares, defender Ayala and midfielder Aimar. The Potters meanwhile were without long term injury worry John Eustace as well as Gerry Taggart who was not fully fit and is worryingly still as yet to sign a new contract.
Target Peter Ndlovu has been offered a contract by Tony Pulis but he has been left to mull it over and was also absent from the proceedings. Ed De Goey was chosen to start in goal ahead of Steve Simonsen with the rest of the team pretty much picking itself.
City began brightly with Ade Akinbiyi looking extremely fit, charging round the pitch as we have become so accustomed to seeing. After just five minutes he forced the ‘keeper into a sharp save at the near post after breaking clear of the distinctly average looking Valencia defence. Dave Brammer who was immensely impressive all night then forced another save with a long-range effort that was heading for the top corner.
Akinbiyi did put the ball in the back of the net after 15 minutes but he was clearly offside and it was pretty obvious he knew it! He caused yet more trouble when he raced onto a through ball only to be brought down outside the area by the on-rushing ‘keeper who would have received far worse than a talking to had this been a competitive match.
Gifton Noel-Williams was withdrawn after 28 minutes but this appeared to be just a precautionary measure as he looked in no great discomfort. His replacement made a strong claim for a first team place just five minutes after coming on when he netted what turned out to be the winning goal.
A perfectly executed through ball from Clive Clarke was once more raced onto by Akinbiyi but this time he simply looked up and rolled the ball into the area for Asaba who struck into the top corner of the net with confidence. A great end to a great move.
The Potters saw out the first half without any great trouble as Clint Hill- who was excellent in defence- kept last seasons Spanish top scorer Mista in his back pocket.
Half time brought about a number of changes for Valencia with just Steve Simonsen coming on for City to replace De Goey in goal. Akinbiyi could have put the game beyond doubt just a minute into the second half when he once again found himself all alone in front of goal. This time he had bags of time and chose to lob the ‘keeper only to see the ball bounce just wide of the post. It was the easiest chance of the night and he probably realised then it wasn’t to be.
As expected, Valencia did start to get into the game more and could have equalised after 56 minutes when Xisco was put clean through on goal only to see his tame effort well saved by Simonsen who had made himself big between the sticks.
There were more half chances to follow but City could have scored again themselves with Darel Russell putting two good crosses in that couldn’t quite be converted and Asaba making a hash of a good situation when he and Akinbiyi were two to one defender.
Most of the remaining action took place in the form of off the ball scuffles as Clarke and Hill both found themselves in the referee’s book thanks to separate retalliation incidents.
Two trialists also appeared for the Potters, one being an unheard of Ivor Hunt with the other being in the shape of Allan Johnston who has just been released by Middlesborough.
Starting Line- Up: De Goey, Halls, Hall, Thomas, Hill, Russell, Neal, Brammer, Clarke, Noel-Williams, Akinbiyi.