On July 30, Birmingham City celebrated their fifth and sixth preseason run-outs at the EBB Stadium at the Recreation Ground, while another XI, led by Men’s First Team Manager Chris Davies, took on Walsall in the midlands.
News for the team:
Ben Petty, the assistant manager of the Men’s First Team, selected a formidable starting lineup for the preseason match in Hampshire. Ryan Allsop started in goal, with second-year student Tyrese Warmington filling in, and both Christoph Klarer and Marc Leonard making their debut starts for the royal blue team.
Action of a match:
After coping with the instant pressure provided by the hosts’ fast-paced start, Blues took control of the ball and moved with purpose, hoping to open the scoring as soon as possible.
In just the seventh minute of play, Keshi Anderson established his dominance over the game. Emil Hansson produced a beautiful pass across the box, and the 29-year-old blasted it in to give the visitors the lead.
Tyler Frost, who made a darting run into the box and nearly even the score, attempted to answer for the Shots, but Klarer made an incredible sliding block to keep the forward from getting a clear shot on goal. But in the end, they managed to break through and tie the game with a magnificent half-volley from captain Ryan Jones.
Theo Widdrington added a second goal in short succession, this time from close range after the first attempt had bounced against the crossbar, but the pressure continued.
Birmingham attempted to equalize before halftime, but the woodwork denied Lukas Jutkiewicz and Tyler Roberts.
Emil Hansson tries to get behind the Shots defense.
Emil Hansson tries to get behind the Shots defense.
Blues 2-1 Aldershot Town at halftime
Both teams made no changes at halftime as the Blues started the second half strongly, attacking left to right against the 67 traveling Bluenoses positioned in the South Stand.
After Romelle Donovan’s tactic-breaking forward run, Anderson’s well-struck shot went just wide of the target, giving Petty’s team a near-perfect opening.
Then it was the Shots’ time to stir things up. Josh Barrett hit the woodwork after beating Allsop with a speculative chip that cannoned off the crossbar from outside the box. Then Aldershot would hit the upright again before Blues could clear the threat.
The opposition would control the most of the play in search of a counterattack, and in the 73rd minute, Donovan’s inswinging corner would almost hit the near post.
Then it was time to get things started with the Shots. Josh Barrett beat Allsop with a speculative chip that cannoned off the crossbar from outside the box, only to strike the woodwork. Then, before Blues could remove the threat, Aldershot would hit the upright once more.
In an attempt to mount a counterattack, the opposition would dominate the majority of the play, and in the 73rd minute, Donovan’s inswinging corner came dangerously close to hitting the near post.
The following players represent Aldershot Town: Jordi van Stappershoef (Marcus Dewhurst 64), Lachlan Byrd, Christian Maghoma (Ollie Turner 78), Ollie Harfield (Freddie Stanley 87), Cameron Hargreaves (Keane Anderson 82), Kai Corbett (Ollie Bray 72), Josh Barrett (Haydon Vaughan 71), Ryan Jones (Maxwell Mullins 78), Hady Ghandour.
No substitutes were employed.
There are no reservations.
Ryan Allsop, George Hall (George Wynne 82), Lukas Jutkiewicz (Caleb Sanders 88), Keshi Anderson, Emil Hansson, Romelle Donovan, Lee Buchanan (Sahid Camara 30), Tyler Roberts (Zaid Betteka 82), Marc Leonard (Bryon Pendleton 66), and Christoph Klarer are the blues players.
Tyrese Warmington was not utilized as a substitute.
There are no reservations.
Lewis Sandoe is the umpire.
Attendance: 851 (67 absentees).