FA Cup

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FA Cup | Third Round

Jan 4, 2015 at 3pm UK

Stoke Stoke City
3-1
Wrexham

Arnautovic (80'), Ireland (88', 90')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Carrington (73')

Half-Time Report: Stoke City unable to break down Wrexham

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 04 January 2015

Stoke City are yet to find a breakthrough against Conference Premier opposition Wrexham at half time of their FA Cup third round clash at the Britannia Stadium.

Premier League outfit Stoke City are being held by Conference Premier side Wrexham at the halfway point of this afternoon's FA Cup third-round clash at the Britannia Stadium.

Following a quiet start to the game, the first chance fell to the hosts as Steve Sidwell saw his header from a corner saved by goalkeeper Jonathan Flatt.

Blaine Hudson and Jonathan Flatt of Wrexham attempt to clear the ball during the FA Cup Third Round match between Stoke City and Wrexham at Britannia Stadium on January 4, 2015 © Getty Images

The Conference Premier side held their own for the majority of the first half and did not look fazed against top-flight opposition.

Just before the half-hour mark, however, they came close to a disastrous gaffe as Blaine Hudson's header back to an out-of-position Flatt nearly went in, but he managed to do just enough to keep the ball out.

The Potters stepped it up in the latter stages of the half and nearly scored when Oussama Assaidi weaved past two defenders before firing a shot that required a block from Manny Smith.

Moments later, a half-cleared corner fell to Phil Bardsley, who fired a long-range shot that collided with a Stoke teammate in the box.

Ryan Shawcross then flashed a header past the right-hand post in first-half injury time as both sides went in at the break without having broken the deadlock.