Stoke City's Under-18s were involved in a remarkable 13-goal thriller, losing 8-5 to Manchester City in the U18 Premier League North. The match, played at Clayton Wood this week, saw the young Potters score five times but ultimately be outgunned by their visitors.
Louie Bradbury, who had only joined Stoke City from Manchester United the previous Friday, scored a hat-trick for the home side. Tom Midwood added two more goals for Stoke's cause. The senior Stoke City side currently sit 13th in the Championship with six points from five games, having scored eight and conceded nine so far this season.
How did the match unfold?
The game began in chaotic fashion with Manchester City's Freddie Lawrie scoring an own goal in the very first minute to give Stoke an early lead. The visitors responded emphatically, with Teddie Lamb scoring twice and both Dexter Oliver and Timeo Whisker netting hat-tricks. Oliver got his second with a composed penalty before sealing another match ball a few minutes later. Whisker converted from a scramble in the box following a corner to complete his hat-trick and seal the three points.
Stoke City manager Steven Schumacher will be looking for a more solid defensive performance from the senior side in their next Championship fixture, an away trip to face Cardiff City on Tuesday. You can follow the senior team's progress in the standings.
Who featured for Stoke City U18s?
Stoke's starting lineup included Gordon in goal, with a defence of Frost, Bardsley, Collins and McWilliams. The midfield consisted of Alcock, Midwood and Harrison, while the attack featured Bradbury, Nixon and Ajiboye. Manager Alex Morris made three substitutions during the match, bringing on Connell for Frost at half-time, Pinder for Ajiboye in the 63rd minute, and Lloyd for Harrison with 13 minutes remaining. The substitutes' bench also included Hatton, Holgate, O’Reilly and Hudson.
What is the context for Stoke City's senior side?
The senior Stoke City team finds itself five points behind league leaders Swansea City in the Championship table. Their recent form reads two wins and three losses from their opening five matches. The next test for Schumacher's men is a crucial away match against Cardiff City, who are currently 22nd in the table. The full schedule for the coming weeks is available on our fixtures page.
This heavy defeat for the Under-18s comes as the senior squad prepares for its next league engagement. The club will hope for a positive result in Wales to improve upon their current mid-table position. The senior squad list and player statistics can be viewed on the club's squad page. Stoke City's next Championship match is against Cardiff City on 8 September 2026.
