Lee Clark`s men continued their 100% pre-season with a comfortable win away at Notts County. County never got near Blues as they scored quickly after a period of pressure in the first half. Blues lined up 4-4-2 with several rotations in the side.
There were starts for Doyle, Grounds, Reilly, Lee and Shinnie played upfront with Donaldson. Robinson is still not being risked until fully fit, Spector also remained absent.
Birmingham started with a free kick from Paul Caddis that played in Olly Lee down the right but his low cross was turned away. Notts County responded though, Nicky Wroe saw his dipping effort go over Colin Doyle`s bar.
The travelling support didn`t have to wait long for a goal in this game. Donaldson continued his form for Birmingham, an incoming corner was headed by Jonathan Grounds down and Donaldson hooked it home (0-2, 13`). It was then two just a minute later, Reece Brown`s pass found Shinnie who brought it down and finished finely, Birmingham were comfortable (0-2, 14`).
Shortly after Birmingham`s goals, Shinnie latched onto a Donaldson pass only for Fabian Spiess to save it one handed. Donaldson continued to have a bright game, he tested the opposition goalkeeper with a powerful shot that was palmed over the bar (26`).
The second half then came before any other chances, a slow finish to a quick fire scoring game.
After the break former Birmingham striker Akwasi Asante came on as one of three substitutions for Notts County. Lee Clark did not change any of his team at the half way point.
The next chance game from a goal keeping mistake, Spiess could not hold Gray`s cross from the right and Donaldson has his attempt cleared off the line by none other than Hayden Mullins. Birmingham continued their scoring when Donaldson latched onto a short back pass, he rounded the keeper and scored for 3-0 (55`).
Lee Clark made his changes on 58 minutes, Lee Novak; Neal Eardley and Wes Thomas all coming on for Clayton Donaldson; Stephen Gleeson and Andrew Shinnie.
Gray and Brown combined to set Thomas free down the right hand side of the area, he shot wide. Gray then made some space for himself to shoot but couldn`t get it low enough to trouble the keeper.
Clark then changed the team again, Cotterill, Duffy and Adeyemi all on in exchange for Brown, Gray and Lee. The next chance fell for County, Nicky Wroe troubled again with a cross from the left to find the free header of Adam Dawson but he headed wide.
Birmingham pressed on with their fourth not long before the end. Grounds`s header found the net from a Duffy corner. The second time the tall centre back had troubled from a set piece.
Lee Clark has every reason to be pleased with the way the team came together in this game, some good link up play and showings of good form in front of goal. Birmingham also were dangerous from set pieces. Blues take on Middlesbrough August 9th.
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