Stoke too strong for Colchester

Stoke City hauled themselves up to sixth in the Second Division table with a comprehensive 3-0 home victory over the early pace-setters Colchester United last night.

The striker Stefan Thordarson sealed victory with two well-taken second-half goals. He grabbed his first in the 57th minute when he ran on to a superb 65-yard through ball from Bjarni Gudjonsson before beating the goalkeeper Andy Woodman. His second came in time added on when he dispossessed Karl Duguid before drilling the ball into the corner of the net from an acute angle.

Stoke had gone in front in the 44th minute when the Belgian midfielder Jurgen Vandeurzen converted Andy Cooke's cross. The Potters had missed a penalty in the 18th minute after Thordarson had been brought down. Gudjonsson saw his spot-kick saved by Walker.