Matchday Memories: On This Day 2003 – Potters Punished in First Win Of Season For McAllister’s Men
New signing Andy Morrell on programme front
On this day (13th September) in 2003 the Sky Blues, managed by Gary McAllister, were yet to chalk up their first win after four Division One games! This was the Sky Blues third season in the second tier, following relegation from the Premier League in 2001. City’s current bad patch had continued from last season and was a dozen home games (and sixteen in total) winless. In 2003-04 they had drawn their first two matches, goalless in their Highfield Road opener against Walsall and sharing the points in a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town. This was followed by a 3-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest and a 2-1 reverse at Sheffield United. Sky Blues fans were getting extremely anxious as 13,982 fans gathered at the home of the Sky Blues to see what their team would accomplish against Stoke City! Ominously there were three returning former Sky Blues (all now CCFPA members) in the ranks of the visitors!
John Eustace in Sky Blue action
They need not have worried as McAllister’s men eventually ran out fairly comfortable 4-2 winners over the Potters and their trio of CCFC former players, Paul Williams, John Eustace and Marcus Hall! ‘Willo’ had to depart injured at half-time disrupting the Potters’ defence. In general the ex Sky Blues couldn’t do much to mitigatet an excellent Sky Blue display.
Pat Suffo in the Sky Blue
After only five minutes the Sky Blues tricky forward (and CCFPA member) Pat Suffo sent the Potter’s somewhat dodgy ‘keeper Ed De Gooey the wrong way to notch our first with a twent yarder.
Graham in the Sky Blue
Five minutes later Graham Barrett slammed in City’s second. Though the Potters’ Carl Asaba netted on the stroke of half time to suggest the possibility of a Stoke fight back it was not to be as City went in at the break 2-1 up.
City’s popular gentle giant of a striker ‘Dele Adebola (a CCFPA member now) was outstanding today and coolly made it 3-1 after 58 minutes.
Dele celebrates
Then another Association member now substitute Andy Morrell made the game extra safe with his first Sky Blue goal, a header, with fifteen minutes to go. Though the poor Stoke side made the scoreline a little more respectable through a Wayne Thomas strike from a John Eustace corner three minutes later the Sky Blues were worthy 4-2 victors!
