Memorial Stadium Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010   1st Team Friendly Attendance: 2,249       Bristol Rovers 1-2 Stoke City
2010 /11

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Injury Takes Shine Off Rovers Win Posted on: Wed 04 Aug 2010 BRISTOL ROVERS 1 (Blizzard 45) STOKE CITY 2 (Tuncay 38, Fuller 45+1) Attendance: 2,249 TONY PULIS would be forgiven for feeling a sense of déjà vu after an injury to a key player took the shine off their pre-season victory at Bristol Rovers. City''s manager now has a concern over the fitness of captain Abdoulaye Faye who joins Glenn Whelan, Matthew Etherington and Rory Delap on the injured list after limping off in the early stages of the second half at the Memorial Stadium. Article continues Advertisement Faye appeared to be feeling his hamstring after pulling up in a challenge with Rovers striker Will Hoskins in the 2-1 victory over the League One opponents and was unable to continue after treatment from physiotherapist Dave Watson. Prior to that, Pulis had seen Turkish international Tuncay continue his goalscoring success in the pre-season build-up by putting the Potters in front before strike partner Ricardo Fuller coolly slotted home what proved to be the winner. City had further chances to stretch their lead after the break and Tuncay indeed had opportunities to add to the five goals he has already scored which have contributed to victories over Newcastle Town, Burnley and now Bristol Rovers. Although Pulis was unable to call upon Whelan, Etherington and Delap, while Ryan Shawcross and Mamady Sidibe were rested, he still named a strong line-up in which goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen was given his first start of the pre-season build-up. Sorensen had little to do in the early stages as City enjoyed the lion''s share of the possession and created some excellent opportunities bursting forward. Tuncay and Fuller were a constant menace to the Rovers defence, but it was Michael Tonge who went closest to adding to his pre-season goal tally by having three close range shots blocked in one move after being set up by Dean Whitehead. Rovers ''keeper Mikkel Anderson had to save on his line when Fuller headed back across goal for Tuncay to meet with a close range flick. A goal appeared to be coming as both Fuller and Tuncay went close again, so it was no surprise that the deadlock was broken in the 38th minute. Tuncay latched onto a Whitehead pass, jinked his way into the box from the left hand side and unleashed a low shot. Although his initial effort was well-saved by the diving Anderson, City''s Turkish star followed up to tuck away the rebound. In an eventful end to the half, Rovers equalised from a corner as Sorensen came off his line to try and collect Wayne Brown''s cross, but was beaten to it by a firm header from midfielder Dominic Blizzard in the last minute of normal time. However, in the minute of added time, Fuller sprung Rovers'' offside trap, calmly rounded Anderson and then kept his nerve to slot the ball home. The early stages of the second half were overshadowed by the injury to Faye and then a series of substitutions by both sides in which Pulis took the opportunity to give all his outfield players on the bench a chance to step into the action. Ben Marshall and Tom Soares were two quickly make an impression, Marshall providing a cross from which Soares set up Tuncay who made clean contact with a cheeky back heel which appeared to be going in until it was blocked by a Rovers defender. Another substituteJames Beattie also had a good opportunity to get his name on the scoresheet when he was picked out by Tuncay''s pinpoint cross at the far post, but the striker planted his header wide of the target from close range. Although Rovers had their moments, Robert Huth was like a rock as ever at the back, snuffling out any threat, while at the other end, the lively Tuncay twisted and turned into another good position only to see his shot fly wide of the target.