Leyton Orient v Stoke - 26 August

26 August 2009 14:29
Kitson ends Orient's resistance Striker Dave Kitson earned Stoke a place in the third round of the Carling Cup with the only goal of the game in extra-time against Leyton Orient. His 35-yard half-volley soared over the head of Orient goalkeeper Glenn Morris to end the stubborn resistance of the Geraint Williams' League One side. The Barclays Premier League outfit fielded a team of reserves against their lowly opponents with only midfielder Amdy Faye keeping his place in the side from Saturday's draw at Birmingham. Stoke were quickly onto the attack and in the ninth minute Kitson fired just over the crossbar from 20 yards. Moments later, the City striker was wide of the target with a volley after Carl Dickinson's cross had found him lurking by the penalty spot. But Orient were not to be outdone and in the 13th minute, Ryan Jarvis sent a 20-yard effort over the crossbar. Moments later a mistake by Stoke's Ryan Shotton allowed Andros Townsend to fire an angled drive towards the near post but Steve Simonsen held the shot at the second attempt. In the 19th minute, Orient almost took the lead when Townsend again tested Simonsen's reactions with a left-foot shot that the City goalkeeper did well to parry to safety. Orient lost goalkeeper Jamie Jones with a knock on the half-hour. He was replaced by substitute Morris. Stoke captain Richard Cresswell tried to curl the ball beyond Morris moments later but his accuracy was found wanting and the ball passed out of play beyond the far post. Morris was called upon moments later though when Tom Soares pulled the ball back for Cresswell to hit a shot towards the bottom corner of the net. However, Morris somehow managed to get his fingertips to it and push it away for corner. Morris had to be at his best again in the 38th minute when Kitson tried his luck with an angled drive towards the near post. The substitute goalkeeper dived low to his right to prevent the ball from sneaking in as Stoke briefly raised the pace of their game. The rain in east London was now falling heavily which made conditions difficult for both sides. Orient should have gone ahead just before half-time when a free-kick by Charlie Daniels spun across the six-yard box and was somehow missed by Adrian Patulea. The former Lincoln City striker had the goal at his mercy but allowed the ball to squeeze under his boot. Jarvis tried to redeem the situation at the far post but his effort crashed into the side netting. John Melligan then brought another save out of Simonsen after combining well with Jarvis. Orient began where they off with good work from Patulea presenting Townsend with another great opportunity to open the scoring. This time the Orient midfielder sent his rising effort over the crossbar. Patulea wasted a great chance in the 47th minute when Melligan's cross found the Orient striker unmarked at the far post. But Patulea's header was weak and lacked an accuracy as he placed it wide of the target from point-blank range. A minute later, Stoke replaced Ibrahima Sonko and Shotton with Andrew Davies and Andy Griffin. Orient continued to cause Stoke problems in defence and Patulea's neat flick-on in the 58th minute was met by Tamika Mkandawire. However, the Orient defender had his back to goal and his attempted header fell neatly into the arms of Simonsen. Melligan then tried his luck from 25 yards but Simonsen was untroubled by his rising drive. Stoke were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the penalty area in the 65th minute after Patulea fouled Danny Pugh. But Kitson's effort from 20 yards came to nothing as the defensive wall did its job. Stoke should have broken the deadlock in the 83rd minute when Pugh's corner was met by the head of Kitson. But somehow his effort was headed against the crossbar and out by Melligan on the goal-line. However, Kitson settled the tie in the third minute of extra-time when his 35-yard effort found the top corner of the net.

Source: Eurosport