Brentford 1-0 Stoke

Last updated : 22 July 2011 By Dan Buxton

Stoke slipped to their first defeat of the 2011/12 pre season campaign after succumbing to a 1-0 defeat at Griffin Park.

The Potters started a strong side, ten of the side that finished the Newcastle Town friendly on Wednesday plus the return of influential winger Matthew Etherington.

City were soon had to make their first change though as Jermaine Pennant limped off with a groin/thigh strain, replaced by Rory Delap.

The Potters had the majority of the play throughout the match and went close on numerous occasions, Jones going close with a trio of headers, Walters steering a one on one wide whilst Delap got his shot on target, but home keeper Richard Lee pushed it wide of the post.

Marc Wilson had a free kick blocked whilst Etherington's free kick drifted just wide of the far post and Whitehead also had an effort saved by the keeper.

'Deano' was on hand at the other end to block a shot on the edge of the box whilst Huth and Shawcross did a fine job in denying the hosts any clear opportunities.

The goal arrived with twenty minutes left when a rasping shot from distance was parried by goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, the incoming striker for Brentford then nodding the ball over the Bosnian international and into the net.

City: Begovic; Wilson, Collins, Huth, Shawcross; Pennant(Delap 14), Etherington(Pugh 74), Whelan, Whitehead, Walters(Marshall 74), Jones

City now take on Aldershot tomorrow in their last friendly before the Europa League game against Hajduk Split on Thursday.