Newcastle made it four wins in four meetings with the Potters second string this season on Easter Monday afternoon, thanks to goals from midfield duo Michael Richardson and Yven Moyo.

Originally scheduled for an evening kick-off at the Weaver Stadium of nearby non-league Nantwich Town, the game was relocated at Stoke's Clayton Wood training ground and played behind closed doors on Monday afternoon.

In bitterly cold conditions United almost took a fifth minute lead when Romain Amalfitano burst forward and latched on to Moyo's right wing centre. However the French winger could only fire against a post from close range, before failing to convert the inviting rebound.

But United did find the net after nine minutes when a fluent attacking move was initiated by debutant Kevin Mbabu. The Swiss youngster pushed forward from his right back slot to find Moyo, Alex Gilliead then taking over and teeing up Richardson, who arrived in the box to stroke his low shot beyond Daniel Bachmann.

That was Richardson's first reserve strike of the season and follows his recent return from a loan spell at League Two Gillingham.

Some increased Potters pressure before half-time failed to test United 'keeper Jak Alnwick, but Mbabu was well placed to clear off his own line on 36 minutes, before Richardson belted the ball clear from the six yard box to break up Stoke's next attack.

The visitors extended the lead after 61 minutes when Moyo turned and shot home from 12 yards via a slight deflection, following another foray down the United right that the Stoke defence failed to dealt with.

That was also a first goal this season for Moyo, who completed the ninety minutes and showed some good touches but looked a little rusty, this only his second outing since a three month absence from proceedings.

Despite various openings though, a third Newcastle goal didn't follow and the arrival of Potters boss Tony Pulis from first team training on an adjoining pitch coincided with the home side finally threatening in attack.

A trio of Stoke replacements livened up the closing stages, substitute Jadan Hall forcing the ball home from close range at the back post from a left wing cross with four minutes of normal time remaining.

City could then have levelled almost straight from the restart, but Hall's low effort beat both Alnwick and the post and United held out to secure a deserved victory.

Next up for the second string is a rearranged visit to Leyland on Thursday, when United will attempt to extend their unbeaten run to six games against Bolton.

Biffa

Reports