Ivor Andrews Cup

and Strete 2,

Malborough 1

This week Stoke hosted Malborough in the League Cup quarter final. Only two weeks ago Stoke beat their near neighbours 2-1 in the league. Due to missing their goalkeeper Stuart Irvin through injury, Stoke called on veteran Mark Daniels to fill the void.

Stoke started well and after only five minutes found themselves 1-0 up when Aaron East ran onto Robbie Chalks' through ball to fire past Malborough's onrushing keeper.

The visitors, who were fielding a stronger side than for the previous game, had a chance to equalise straight away, but Daniels managed to turn the ball around the post.

In windy conditions Stoke found it very hard to get out of their own half, but nevertheless managed to hold on to their lead until the half-time whistle without any real danger of an equaliser.

Malborough again started well when play resumed, but missed a real chance by firing over from 15 yards out. Stoke had a good chance to make it 2-0, but East failed to convert from six yards out after Chalk's fine run down the right wing.

Malborough made Stoke pay when poor marking from a corner allowed a close-range effort to go in. However, immediately following the goal East chased a long ball and bagged his reward when the keeper spilled the ball for East to fire into an empty net. Malborough should have forced extra time when Daniels dropped the ball at the feet of their striker, but he could not finish.

Stoke advance to the semi-final. The home side's man of the match award went to Chris Collet. Next up is an away trip to Teign Village FC.