Crewe v Stoke City LIVE updates

After facing Braga last weekend, Stoke tackle League Two opposition at the Mornflake Stadium as the countdown to the new season begins.

Mark Robins is expected to field a strong side for the game against the Railwaymen, who finished 11th last season and are expected to mount a promotion push this season.

Stoke have been backed by a sell-out away allocation in the last two summers for friendlies at Crewe, winning 2-1 in July 2024 with two goals from Andre Vidigal, and 2-1 again in July 2025 with goals from Bosun Lawal and Sorba Thomas.

It is the last game before Stoke head on their pre-season tour to Portugal as Robins looks to whip his players into shape for the new campaign.

We will be bringing you all the match as it unfolds this afternoon and the goals as they go in so make sure you stay tuned and you won't miss a kick.

New UpdatesKey EventsGOALView Post18th Jul17:27 BSTRatingsStoke City were left sweating over injury scares to Junior Tchamadeu and new signing Djibril Soumare. as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Crewe Alexandra this afternoon.

Soumare had to be replaced after the half-hour mark after picking up a knock, before Sam Gallagher gave Stoke the lead when he towered to meet a cross from Eric Bocat.

If Mark Robins had hoped to escape further injury issues, Tchamadeu then had to come off after the interval, and Stoke will hope both problems are not serious as they prepare to jet out to Portugal for their pre-season tour.

It marred what was a competitive and valuable workout for Stoke against a Crewe side who were brave in possession as they plan for next season's assault on League Two.

However, they nearly conceded a comical own goal in the second half when goalkeeper Ian Lawlor cannoned a clearance off his own defender Mickey Demetriou but watched as it dropped inches wide of the post.

But they did leave their mark at the other end when Adrien Thibaut climbed highest to glance a header past substitute goalkeeper Frankie Fielding.

Stoke had several chances to win at the end as Maxsym Talovierov, Lamine Cisse and Milan Smit went close. Smit also saw a header appear to cross the line at the death, but it wasn't given as both sides settled for a draw.Ratings here

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul16:56 BSTAll overStoke held but in truth they will be kicking themselves they didn't win. Created some great chances at the end but just lacked the finishing touch.

Hopefully the knocks to Tchamadeu and Cisse aren't too bad.

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul16:46 BSTI mean that's a goalMartin digs out a superb cross that Cisse heads back into the six yard box. Smit meets it. I can see the ball is over the line from here.

But it's not given as the goalkeeper scrambles it away.

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul16:44 BSTStoke should be back in frontCisse, Talovierov and now Smit have all wasted good chances.

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul16:34 BSTGoal CreweCrewe are level and it's a deft header from Adrien Thibaut.

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul16:21 BSTWe've had more changesFielding, Cresswell, Smit, Martin, Gibson on.

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul16:12 BSTOh dearTchamadeu has gone down and it looks like he will need replacing. He's walking off. He will be replaced by Talovierov.

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul16:04 BSTDouble changeBen Wilmot on for Graham, Seko on for Galbraith

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul15:44 BSTGOALAnd Stoke have the lead. Bocat swings over a marvellous cross to the back post and Gallagher shows his aerial prowess and not for the first time in his career either.

He climbs highest, and powers a header into the far corner. Hung in the air superbly and used his size to very good effect. Lovely header.

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul15:40 BSTNow Tchamadeu is downThe full-back was tackled from behind as he burst into the area. He managed to get his shot away, but it was saved.

However, he's stayed down. But I think he will be fine.

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul15:38 BSTThat's a blowNew signing Djibril Soumaré has gone down injured, he's had some treatment but he cannot continue and is replaced by Rigo.

Soumare has been able to walk around the perimeter of the pitch. Hopefully it's not too serious.

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul15:33 BSTWowAs I was saying about Crewe and their potential to give the ball away in their own defensive third. They've done just that.

They're appealing for a foul, but it was a dreadful pass from the goalkeeper. Bozenik has all the time in the world on the edge of the box, but he goes for power and hammers way over the bar.

Needed a lot more finesse to be fair. Poor finish.

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul15:30 BSTGive Crewe their duesThey play high risk football to the extent where they will give you a chance to pinch it high. But it's refreshing to see such bravery in possession from a League Two team.

Stoke will have been disappointed with their delivery from out wide so far. Although Ingelsson's throws are a hell of a weapon.

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul15:22 BSTAnother chanceGame is just starting to open up now.

This time Thomas swings over a delicious cross to the back post. Gallagher has the beating of his man at the back post.

He climbs over his marker but heads wide of the target. Was a very good save from Griffiths earlier.

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul15:20 BSTCHANCEAnd we have our first big moment of the game. Tchamadeu manages to squeeze a low cross through to Gallaghewho does well to shift the ball out of his feet to force a save.

Crewe then break and Jordan Gibson is through one on one with Griffiths who stands big to make a superb save. Tabiner's effort on the follow up then goes inches wide.

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul15:12 BSTCornerCrewe have turned the ball over again and Ingelsson has a chance to put a decent ball into the box. He can't get his angles right as it's cleared. Tchamadeu then wins a corner but disappointingly the set-piece is over hit.

Soumare was the target but I think he needed to grow another 20 feet to reach it. Has to be better delivery to be honest. That will frustrate Robins for sure.

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul15:08 BSTWe've had seven minutesAs you might expect, not a great deal has happened so far. Crewe happy to play out from the back and have nearly been punished on a couple of occasions, particularly had Stoke been better with the final pass.

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul15:01 BSTWe are about to get under wayThere are no teamsheets by the way, so you will have to bear with and my knowledge of Crewe Alexandra isn't the greatest..... Anyway, we're up and running.

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul14:02 BSTSubstitutesThe subs are: Fielding, Talovierov, Wilmot, Gibson, Cresswell, Pearson, Rigo, Seko, Martin, Cisse, Smit

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul14:02 BSTStoke teamGriffiths, Tchamadeu, Lawal, Graham, Bocat; Soumare, Galbraith, Ingelsson; Gallagher, Bozenik, Thomas

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul13:57 BSTArrived at the Mornflake StadiumThe steps up to the press box were a test for the back and the oxygen levels, but the pitch looks in fabulous condition.

Just awaiting the team news.

CommentsLeigh Curtis18th Jul13:30 BSTGood afternoonAnd welcome from the Mornflake Stadium, where Stoke will be looking to notch up a victory ahead of their pre-season tour to Portugal.

Expecting Robins to field a strong side this afternoon, before they jet out for their training camp that will put the squad through its paces.

Team news will be with you shortly.