Crewe Alex 3 Stoke City XI 1

CREWE Alexandra were victorious over Premier League opposition on Saturday when they saw off a Stoke City XI at Gresty Road.

All of The Alex’s goals came in the first half, with George Cooper opening the scoring with an unstoppable 20-yard effort.

Summer signing Chris Porter doubled the advantage when he applied a deft touch to Cooper’s cross to send the ball beyond Potters keeper Jakob Haugaard.

Cooper was again the creator as Crewe got a third just before the break as his corner was headed home at the far post by Eddie Nolan, another of manager Dave Artell’s summer recruits.

Stoke scored a late consolation goal through Mark Waddington, but Artell was left praising his side’s display.

“The game management was good and although I think the tempo will be higher next week, I was pleased with aspects of our play,” he told crewealex.net “I think we showed what we can do with the ball. It was the Crewe way and we passed the ball well.

“George Cooper was terrific. He played a bit of different role but he has scored one and set up two goals, so if he can do that every week then that would do for me.”

The game was The Alex’s final pre-season friendly before they open their League Two campaign at home to Mansfield Town on Saturday, kick off 3pm.