Stoke City 1-0 Hadjuk Split: Jonathan Walters gives Europa League qualifier first leg lead in first European game for 37 years

In their first European match for 37 years, Tony Pulis’s side got off to the best start possible when Jonathan Walters got on the end of Matthew Etherington’s cross and headed his side into the lead after only three minutes of play.

This didn’t liven up events, as the game was played with very little chances, most of which came from distance, and it took a further 11 minutes before either side fashioned an effort at goal;  Kenwyne Jones shooting from range that went wide of the post.

The visitors only had one sniff at goal in the first-half, the Potters’ defence restricting Ante Vukusic to a drab attempt from distance.

Defender Robert Huth and Jones again both had shots blocked, whilst Etherington forced a save from goalkeeper Danijel Subasic.

The second-half started as bright as the first, this time it was Huth who headed over from close range following a corner from Etherington. The German defender was on a mission to score and was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet again, this time dragging his left-footed attempt wide of the post.

The away side took nearly an hour before they finally managed to get a shot on target, giving Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic little to worry about as he saved well.

Walters and Glenn Whelan traded long-range efforts which never troubled Subasic, with similar attempts from visiting midfielder Anas Sharbini on either side of Whelan’s shot – both of which sailed wide on both occasions.

One last effort by Huth in injury time could have doubled their advantage but the chance went begging.

The Potters go to Split with a one-goal lead and the all important clean-sheet too.