STOKE CITY RESERVES 1 (Moult 47)
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS RESERVES 0
STOKE CITY began their Barclays Premier Reserve League South campaign with a victory after a quiet affair at the Britannia Stadium.
Louis Moult's 47th minute strike was enough to earn them victory on a cold and rainy night in the Potteries.
New boys Robert Huth, Danny Collins and Diego Arismendi all started in a strong line-up that also included the likes of Tom Soares, Andy Griffin and Amdy Faye.
Arismendi looked a good prospect playing just behind the midfield four, allowing the others to burst forward in support of lone striker Moult.
Tony Pulis was among those watching from the stands as Peter Reid and Adrian Pennock took charge of the proceedings.
The opening stages didn't see any real goalscoring opportunities created although there were some nice passages of play through the middle.
Michael Tonge ensured that the Wolves defence were tested after 20 minutes, however, when he worked his way in from the left hand side and fired at goal.
His strike was deflected behind for a corner by Danny Batth when it could have easily fallen to a waiting Soares to prod home instead.
Soares then turned provider with a dangerous corner kick that was eventually cleared away from danger, while Griffin had to be alert to thwart Ashley Hemmings at the other end, after he was put through by Matt Hill.
Soares, Tonge and Moult combined well down the right hand side just before the break but a cross into the box for the latter would be cleared away by Mark Little.
It turned out to be the last significant moment of a quiet first half but the second began with a lot more action.
A move down the right hand side culminated in a low ball across the penalty area and Moult arrived to convert from close range.
Replays showed good anticipation and vision from Arismendi who had steered the ball across the box.
Huth could have added a second shortly after when the big German ran in at the back post onto Soares' corner, but he could only put a tame effort straight into Hahnemann's hands.
At the other end, Andrew Surman drilled a shot narrowly wide of Steve Simonsen's post before a David Jones inswinging corner almost caused the City backline problems.
Arismendi made way for Nathaniel Wedderburn with just over fifteen minutes left and received a great ovation from the supporters.
Chances would continue to be few and far between with only Ryan Shotton's speculative long range effort from the right keeping Hahnemann's fingers warm.
There was brief drama in the dying moments of the game as Hemmings put a close-range effort narrowly wide of the post for Wolves before his blushes were saved by the linesman's offside flag.
CITY (4-1-4-1): Simonsen; Shotton, Huth, Collins, Griffin; Arismendi (Wedderburn 73); Soares, Amdy Faye, Davies, Tonge; Moult (Lund 69). Subs (Not Used): Parton (gk), Urwin, McDonald.
WOLVES (4-4-2): Hahnemann; Little, Batth (c), Zubar, Hill; Mendez-Laing, Jones, Surman, Malone; Hemmings, Spray. Subs (Not Used): East (gk), Davis, Reckord, Rooney, Ismail.
