New signing Japhet Matondo marked his City debut with a second-half strike, which added to goals from Dara McGuinness and Keke Jeffers to secure victory for Ryan Shawcross’ side.
The Potters’ Under-21s Lead Coach used 17 players across the 90 minutes, including midfielder Wiktor Gromek, who completed his transfer from Lecce earlier in the week.
City’s defence was called into action inside the opening 10 minutes of the fixture when Francis Gyimah and Jensen Tortoishell bravely denied two goal bound Town shots.
Soon after, the young Potters replied with an opportunity of their own through Jack Griffiths, who drifted beyond his man before curling a shot into the Castle goalkeeper’s gloves.
Shawcross’ side then came close to finding an opener midway through the first 45 when Chinonso Chibueze fired a pass from Jeffers against the crossbar.
Shortly before the break, however, the Potters did break the deadlock when Griffiths’ 25-yard strike was pushed into the path of McGuinness, who prodded the loose ball home for his second goal of pre-season to date.
City began the second half in a similar fashion when they doubled their lead through Jeffers after he latched onto a Griffiths pass before placing the ball under Castle’s goalkeeper.
Shawcross’ side added a third just after the hour mark, with debutant Matondo beating the Town defence to a chested McGuinness through ball before confidently dispatching the finish.
Substitute Adam Watson went within inches of adding a fourth when he struck the woodwork moments before the full-time whistle was blown.
The young Potters are back in action next weekend when they travel to Aggbrough Stadium to face National League North side Kidderminster Harriers.
Stoke City: Brooks, Mears, Tortoishell, Griffin (Badley-Morgan 45), Gyimah, Gromek (Lipsiuc 45), Griffiths, Chibueze (Jojic 75), Willox (Kelly 64), Jeffers (Matondo 64), McGuinness (Watson 75).
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