A second minute strike from Paul Peschisolido proved just enough to send Stoke City into the third round of the League Cup on away goals at the expense of plucky Fulham at the Victoria Ground tonight.
Excitement gripped the Victoria Ground over the return of Lou Macari as the club’s new manager. Canadian international centre forward Peschisolido grabbed his opportunity to feature favourably in Macari’s forthcoming shake-up by racing onto a through ball from Keith Downing and snuck a shot between Jim Stannard and the Fulham goalkeeper’s near post. The goal was the only high point during a drab first period, but the home side could consider themselves fortunate in making the third round draw having held onto their slender advantage to progress on the away goals rule after extra time.
The spectacle improved after the interval with both sides having chances to change the complexion of a tight tie. Martin Carruthers and Peschisoldio both squandered good chances to extend the Potters advantage, whilst Carl Muggleton produced a superb save to keep out a rising drive from John Marshall. In an end-to-end last ten minutes, Fulham substitute Rob Haworth came close to putting the visitors ahead whilst Stoke skipper Neil Greghorn failed to beat Stannard from close range.
Macari, who will start his second stint in change of Stoke tomorrow, told reporters afterwards: “Freshening up the squad will be my first aim. I will need to bring in one or two new faces to shake things up and I’ve watched a lot of players since the start of the season. I think I know what is required. I’m really looking forward to getting back to a job which I would never have left had Celtic not made an approach.”
STOKE CITY: Muggleton; Butler, Sandford, Dreyer, Granson, Orlygsson, Carruthers, Downing, Biggins, Peschisolido, Gleghorn.
GOAL: Peschisolido (2).
FULHAM: Stannard; Morgan, Marshall, Mison, Moore, Blake, Jupp, Bartley, Brazil, M. Thomas. Subs: Harrison, Haworth, Bedrossian.
ATTENDANCE: 7,440.
