Reaction from the bet365 Stadium after Carabao Cup shoot-out win
22:04, 12 Aug 2025
Peter Smith
Peter has reported on Stoke City for The Sentinel and StokeonTrentLive since 2013, following the club in the Premier League, Championship and beyond, including trips to Singapore, Germany, France, Croatia and Switzerland. He has been watching Stoke since 1990.
Courtney Clarke under pressure from by Eric Bocat during the Carabao Cup first round tie between Stoke City and Walsall at the bet365 Stadium.
Courtney Clarke under pressure from by Eric Bocat during the Carabao Cup first round tie between Stoke City and Walsall at the bet365 Stadium.
Jack Bonham was the penalty shoot-out hero as Stoke City eventually saw off Walsall in the Carabao Cup first round.
In a game of few big chances, Jamie Donley came closest to breaking the deadlock when he hit the crossbar with a well-taken effort from 20 yards in the second half. Josh Gordon had the best chance for Walsall when he hit the side netting in the first half until Jonny Stuttle forced a save from Jack Bonham in injury-time.
Instead it was settled by spot-kicks in front of the Boothen End. Stuttle skied one for Walsall and Divin Mubama had one excellently saved to mean the scores were tied going into the fifth round. Lewis Baker, Jamie Donley and Bae Junho had scored for Stoke while Jamille Matt, Aden Flint and Jamie Jellis netted for Walsall.
Bonham pulled off a super stop to deny Albert Adomah and then stepped up himself to hammer in the winner.
Here are the player ratings from the bet365 Stadium:
Bonham: Collided with Phillips when running out of his area and pawed at a couple of crosses. Good save in injury-time and then became the hero in the shoot-out. Excellent save vs Adomah and blasted winner. 7
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Mears: Debut. Looks the part and keen to join in with play as well as defend on the front foot when needed. Unlucky not to get a touch on super cross from Fawunmi. 7
Bocat: Couldn’t thread the needle like he wanted at times and has to be careful not to lose concentration. 6
Phillips: Pretty steady on the ball and was ready to handle challenges. 6.5
Gibson: Returned with armband. A couple of strong challenges and he was prepared to accept responsibility when crosses and corners came into box. 7
Lawal: First game pushed up into his favoured position of midfield. Got around edge of area but shot over. Will think he should have stopped a couple of crosses and picked up yellow card. 6
Seko: Energertic and enthusiastic but faced a physical test in midfield and was cautioned for a clip. Unlucky with second half burst into box. 6
Donley: Excellent pressing in opening stages and fired decent shot on target. Unlucky with looping shot onto crossbar. 7
Manhoef: Eager to dribble but went down dead ends in first half. Couldn’t force the game in the second. Made a point of shaking hands when substituted. 6
Fawunmi: Tried to make things happen and had quick feet and a good cross. Looks an exciting prospect. 7
Bozenik: Didn’t have a whole load of touches through opening period up against three centre-backs. Took up some good positions and nice chest down for Donley chance. 6
Substitutes
Wilmot (for Gibson, 64): Prepared to sprint to try to help Stoke pick up the tempo. 6
Junho (for Manhoef, 64): Late driving run into penalty area to try to find a winner. 6
Smith (for Lawal, 64): Good chance to stake his claim for the first team or attract a loan suitor. 6
Baker (for Seko, 78): Had to track back to make decent tackle but almost gifted Walsall winner. 6
Mubama (for Bozenik, 89): On for injury time and shoot-out. N/A
Not used: Fielding, Cresswell, Thomas, Tchamadeu.
Referee: James Bell (South Yorkshire) 4
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