Summer signing Delphi Cole was on the scoresheet as Stoke City played out a 1-1 draw with Manchester United Under-21s in a friendly on Thursday.
The England Under-18 international, who joined the Potters from West Bromwich Albion in July, opened the scoring inside the first 15 minutes at Clayton Wood.
Marie Hourihan’s side created a number of opportunities to add to the scoreline, however were forced to settle for a draw following a second half equaliser from United.
City put the Red Devils’ goalkeeper to work within the first five minutes of the contest when Cole squeezed in between two United defenders before firing a shot onto Crooks’ palms.
The Potters went close again shortly after as Roisin Kivel met an incisive flick-on from Cole before delivering the ball to Erin Nelson, who cannoned the cross onto United’s woodwork.
Hourihan’s side continued to create chances and forced another save from United’s shot-stopper with a powerful 25-yard effort produced by Kivel.
City’s dominant play was rewarded when Tamara Wilcock was brought to ground inside United’s 18-yard box, allowing Cole to blast the resulting spot kick into the back of the visitors’ net.
Wilcock caused issues for United again midway through the first half, with the forward drilling a strike just wide of the post after gliding through a sea of blue shirts.
Moments later, Nelson believed she had doubled the Potters’ advantage as she burst behind the Red Devils’ backline, though her curling effort was swatted away from goal by the visitors’ number one.
City’s complete control of the first half stretched into its latter stages where substitute Molly Holder let one fly from distance, but saw it sail narrowly over the bar.
The defensive heroics of Arabella Suttie were required inside the opening 60 seconds of the second 45 as her brave block denied a goalbound strike from a United forward.
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