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Birmingham City U21’s 1-0 Crewe U21’s

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Birmingham City U21’s hosted Crewe Alexandra’s under 21 side this morning on the training pitches. The weather was rather cold but the numb toes were warmed up by the fact that the boys took all 3 points in a fully deserved victory.

The team: (Sourced from bcfc.com)
Weaver, Cotton, Bernard, Baba, Mbende, Cogley, McDonald (Seddon 67), Cooper (Harding 85), Jones, Ash (O’Neill 68), McFarlane. Not used: Trueman, Brown.

Alex Jones was back from his loan and straight into the starting line up. Before he left, he looked sharp and very good at linking up with the other Blues’ forward, Kyle McFarlane. The third attacking player, Ash, is a trialist. Also, good to see McDonald starting. He is a confident young man who I have high hopes for.

It was the visitors that started brightly, showing no signs of their journey hindering a good performance. Jake Weaver was called into action early on and made a fine save that looked destined for the bottom corner.

The game was more open as it went on. Charlie Cooper was playing well and he was unlucky not to give us the lead. His thunderous effort rebounding off the post after 20 minutes. This strike was matched minutes later by the lively McDonald that the ‘keeper gratefully caught at the second time of asking.

I thought hitting the post was close to a goal but another effort by Cooper was even closer. At the half an hour mark, he had his shot hooked off the line by the defender. Getting closer.

Another defender was forced into a goal line clearance. Noe Baba getting bravely in the way of a very powerful shot at the other end. Was this to be the last goal line clearance? No.

From a corner, Birmingham almost scored. The ball came in and Bernard managed to power a header at goal only for the defender to head it onto the bar. Another goal line clearance and another piece of woodwork rattled.

0-0 at half time.

The second half started as the first one had ended. Birmingham City were pushing forward and commanding possession. A goal would have been well deserved and the lads thought that a penalty was given. Ash had his feet taken away but the referee disagreed. The elusive goal just wasn’t coming.

Until a few minutes later. McDonald hit a scorcher from outside of the box that whistled into the top corner. A brilliant goal for a brilliant performance. 1-0 to the Blues’.

The defence looked really strong throughout but were being increasingly tested. Cooper saved yet another shot on the line in a rare shot for the visitors.

The end to end nauture of the game was clear, both sides wanted to score. Jones, who had been quiet for a large part of the game suddenly perked up and was it not for the fingertips of the ‘keeper, it would have been 2-0. Unlucky.

Towards the end, Crewe fired everything at the Blues’ back line but they stood very firm. A well deserved victory in the end and a great performance from both the attack and the defence.

1-0 to the Blues’ U21’s.

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