Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by Ski France |
Match Report
It's a beautiful clear and sunny day here at St Andrews where Birmingham City play host to Reading. Its a sell-out today with the 21,000 capacity stadium completely full.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Birmingham City are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Reading appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Today's match is refereed by Omer Gray.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Birmingham City are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Reading appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Today's match is refereed by Omer Gray.
0.00
0-0Reading get the match underway!
4.58
0-0Adam Vassell flicks a high pass forward. David Lawton holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. David Lawton deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Duarte Moutinho. Duarte Moutinho tries a spectacular long range effort but Stuart Gascoigne is on top of it.
8.28
0-0Chaabane Kermali flicks the ball to his team mate, Robin van Veen. Robin van Veen deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Mehamha Belaiz. Mehamha Belaiz knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Oliver Birkwald.
9.09
0-0Dominic Mcallister kicks a strong pass forward to Leon George. Leon George flicks a high ball forward to Ivan Huckerby who takes it down. Ivan Huckerby whips in a cross ball towards Mehamha Belaiz. Mehamha Belaiz directs the ball goalwards with his head. Magnificent block by Martin Boban!
16.09
Adam Vassell knocks the ball to his team mate, Stephen Mendez. Stephen Mendez knocks the ball forward to David Lawton. David Lawton lofts in a cross ball towards Stephen Mendez. With a superhuman jump, Stephen Mendez connects with the ball and heads it goalwards. The ball is well placed but the keeper is more than a match for it. Nice keeping!
20.37
0-0Antonio Bento barges into Dominic Mcallister. The referee calls over Antonio Bento and shows him a yellow card! Dominic Mcallister runs off the knock.
22.11
Oliver Birkwald flicks a high pass forward. Ian Fenton holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Ian Fenton surges forward with the ball. Ian Fenton shoots from 25 yards. It curls slightly but Stuart Gascoigne manages to gather it effortlessly.
26.31
Stephen Mendez controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Ian Fenton. Ian Fenton knocks in a cross ball towards Stephen Mendez. Stephen Mendez powers a header at goal. Fantastic reaction save from Stuart Gascoigne!
30.53
Dominic Mcallister flicks a high ball forward to Leon George who takes it down. Leon George hits a low pass to Peter Prior. Peter Prior lofts in a cross ball towards Mehamha Belaiz. Mehamha Belaiz outjumps his marker and heads the ball goalward. Vegard Soltvedt didn't know what hit him as the ball comes off him at close range. The loose ball is scrambled clear by the defence.
32.03
1-0Dominic Mcallister plays the ball forward to Robin van Veen. Robin van Veen knocks the ball forward to Leon George. Leon George whips in a cross ball towards Mehamha Belaiz. Mehamha Belaiz powers a header at goal. The ball takes a deflection leaving Vegard Soltvedt with no chance!! Goal for Birmingham City!
36.06
1-0Robin van Veen threads a neat ball through to Mehamha Belaiz. Mehamha Belaiz cuts inside the box! Some clumsy but lucky footwork from Mehamha Belaiz provides some space. He scuffs the ball at goal. It's miles wide!
40.22
Dominic Mcallister passes the ball forward to Leon George. Leon George flicks a high pass forward to Robin van Veen who brings the ball under control. Robin van Veen knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
45.00
The referee whistles the end of the first half!
Both teams emerge for the second half. Birmingham City appear unchanged since the first half. Reading also appear unchanged since the first half. The Reading players look more motivated than they were before.
45.00
Birmingham City kick off!
47.05
With great vision, Robin van Veen plays the ball forward to Peter Prior. Peter Prior lofts in a cross ball towards Mehamha Belaiz. Mehamha Belaiz makes a looping header on goal but it flies just wide!
48.18
David Lawton makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Helder Lopes. Helder Lopes passes the ball forward to Duarte Moutinho. Duarte Moutinho looks for support before firing off a hurried shot at goal. The ball dips but the keeper is a match for it. Nice keeping!
51.41
Oliver Birkwald sees space and advances. Oliver Birkwald knocks in a cross ball towards Helder Lopes. Helder Lopes is unmarked! He powers a header at goal. Magnificent block by Dominic Mcallister!
54.51
Chaabane Kermali gives the ball a hefty kick upfield. This is true route-one football. Gianni Avila finds some space and shoots from distance but it flies wide!
55.53
Leon George hits a low pass to Mehamha Belaiz. Mehamha Belaiz lofts in a cross ball towards Robin van Veen. Robin van Veen connects with the ball, driving a powerful header at goal. Solid save from Vegard Soltvedt.
60.37
1-0Birmingham City have made 2 substitutions with Sophiane Rizzetto replacing Chaabane Kermali and Tony Wallwork replacing Mehamha Belaiz .Reading have made 3 substitutions with David Kirkland replacing Martin Boban, Diego Di Cara replacing David Lawton and John Bishop replacing Helder Lopes .
65.41
Robin van Veen surges forward with the ball. Robin van Veen knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Oliver Birkwald.
66.55
Ian Pearce catches John Bishop on the ankles. Ian Pearce is shown the yellow card! John Bishop stretches but gets up unharmed.
71.31
1-0Diego Di Cara threads a neat ball through to Duarte Moutinho. Duarte Moutinho makes a probing pass to Antonio Bento but he's offside!
73.53
Oliver Birkwald flicks the ball to his team mate, Adam Vassell. Adam Vassell flicks a high pass forward. Scott Mccann holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Scott Mccann cuts inside the box! Some awkward footwork from Scott Mccann provides some space. He curls a shot at goal but somehow Rio Campbell happens to be in the right place to block it.
77.19
Birmingham City have made a substitution with Nicholas Granville replacing Robin van Veen .
81.12
Diego Di Cara chips the ball to his team mate, John Bishop. John Bishop shoots from long range. It slams into the side netting. So close!!
83.42
Sophiane Rizzetto kicks a strong pass forward to Ivan Huckerby. Ivan Huckerby flicks a high pass forward to Nicholas Granville who brings the ball under control. Nicholas Granville tries a spectacular long range effort but connects badly and the ball goes wide!
84.34
Peter Prior darts forward. Peter Prior knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Vegard Soltvedt who gathers it comfortably.
85.24
Leon George advances with the ball. Leon George sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal but is denied by Vegard Soltvedt. Excellent save.
90.00
The referee blows the final whistle
Match Statistics
Goals
1
0
Shots on Target
5
7
Shots off Target
4
1
Offsides
0
1
Fouls
1
1
Yellow Cards
1
1
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
63.8%
36.2%
Play Area
31.9%
40.6%
27.5%
Scorers
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Mehamha Belaiz of Birmingham City |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Stuart Gascoigne (GK) | 8 | |
| 2. | Ian Pearce (DEF) |  | 5 |
| 3. | Chaabane Kermali (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Dominic Mcallister (DEF) | 7 | |
| 5. | Rio Campbell (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Leon George (MID) | 8 | |
| 7. | Ivan Huckerby (MID) | 6 | |
| 8. | Robin van Veen (MID) | 7 | |
| 9. | Peter Prior (ATT) | 7 | |
| 10. | Mehamha Belaiz (ATT) |  | 9 |
| 11. | Gianni Avila (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Sophiane Rizzetto (DEF) | 6 | |
| 13. | Tony Wallwork (ATT) | 6 | |
| 14. | Nicholas Granville (MID) | 6 | |
| 1. | Vegard Soltvedt (GK) | 7 | |
| 2. | Oliver Birkwald (DEF) | 7 | |
| 3. | Adam Vassell (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Martin Boban (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Scott Mccann (MID) | 6 | |
| 6. | David Lawton (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Stephen Mendez (MID) | 6 | |
| 8. | Ian Fenton (MID) | 6 | |
| 9. | Antonio Bento (ATT) | | 5 |
| 10. | Helder Lopes (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Duarte Moutinho (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | David Kirkland (DEF) | 6 | |
| 13. | Diego Di Cara (MID) | 6 | |
| 14. | John Bishop (ATT) | 6 | |