Goals from Mason Greenwood, Angel Gomes and Largie Ramazani ensured maximum points were secured and, but for an exceptional goalkeeping display from Stoke’s Blondy Nna Noukeu, including a penalty stop to deny Gomes, we could have doubled our output.
The forecasts of constant heavy downpours across the country proved to be all too accurate as torrential rain was falling continually throughout the afternoon and there was little let-up as kick-off time arrived.
Lead coach Neil Wood selected a strong line-up with Tahith Chong, skipper Angel Gomes and Greenwood all in the starting XI. And it was the latter of that trio who was immediately in the thick of the action and looked almost certain to score, in the fourth minute, when he found himself one-on-one with Stoke’s keeper Nna Noukeu, who spread himself to make a fine save.