Far from a classic, but we’ll remember the winner for a long time

THE game won’t live long in the memory but the winning goal whether it was a cross or a shot (and I think we all know Jay) will. It was only Jay Dasilva’s second goal for the club and what a time to score it.

The atmosphere on 84 minutes, as the ball sailed over Jack Bonham in the Stoke City goal, was electric and an 1980s electric classic from Depeche Mode, with the words adapted to include Jay’s name, was being sung all around the away end. What an atmosphere! And just reward for all of those that travelled to the Potteries on a Bank Holiday weekend.

Following the disappointing performance last time out against Peterborough United and Nigel Pearson’s post-match comments, I had expected a few more changes to the starting line-up than just the one that we got with Nahki Wells dropping out for Antoine Semenyo, but Pearson resisted the temptation and was looking for his players to show the personality that he had talked about.

Antoine Semenyo offered more of a physical presence with pace up top and should have given his side the lead in the 13th minute. This is really Antoine’s first season where he has been trusted to play as an out-and-out striker and he is still learning his trade.

City had a couple of decent efforts but all in all it was a pretty low-quality first half. But City were organised and committed.

The game had all the knockings of two sides who knew they will be in the Championship next season and were just seeing the season out. The main talking point was right on half-time when Dan Bentley and Jacob Brown clashed. Bents looked to shepherd a ball out for a goal-kick but Brown didn’t give it up and, as Bentley shielded the ball, Brown almost climbed on his back and the two refused to give up their ground and ended up entwined as the fell over the hoardings. There was then a melee with players from both sides getting involved and the result of all of it was bookings for Bentley and Joe Williams from City and Brown and Steven Fletcher from Stoke.

City hearts were in mouths when Lewis Baker hit the crossbar from a free-kick, and then Andi Weimann almost scored his 20th goal of the season after a fine breakaway, but Bonham made the save.

Just when we thought we were heading for a goalless draw up stepped Jay Dasilva.