Birmingham City player ratings vs Walsall: ‘Frustrating’ 5/10s but one ‘dazzler’ gets 7/10
Following a 1-1 draw with Walsall, Birmingham City lost the EFL Trophy on penalties for failing to convert their opportunities.
When Stansfield found himself with a clear opportunity to score, Sam Hornby dipped low to block his effort, giving the home team their first significant opportunity of the half.
Though they rested their match-winning player, Jamille, Walsall made six changes. Matt put the defence under pressure and demonstrated some attacking intent, which led to several errors. There was some happiness down the flanks for the visitors, and Nathan Lowe’s header in the first half was their high point, though it was direct at Ryan Allso.p.
Birmingham put up a solid second half performance and had another chance to break the tie. The halftime whistle blew immediately after Ayumu Yokoyama cut inside and attempted to hit the bottom corner, but his effort was diverted onto the side netting for a corner, allowing Walsall to clear.
With the players coming out for the second half, Walsall took the lead and moved forward. Following a Birmingham corner, Charlie Lakin, assisted by Connor Barrett, scored a goal from just inside the box to give the away team the lead.
The home team had to respond, and they came dangerously close to tying the score after a dead ball scenario. Marc Leonard managed to beat the wall with significant force, but all he could do was watch as the ball bounced off the crossbar. After that, his evening would soon come to an end as he, Brendon Khela, and Ben Davies made way for a number of alterations.
For a while, Walsall appeared to have done a decent job of keeping Birmingham out. Alfie May, who didn’t often have the chance to shoot from within the box, fired a 25-yard shot, and Hornby had to be quick to deflect it. On his home debut, Tomoki Iwata missed the mark because his shot was pushed over the
Birmingham levelled the score seven minutes remaining as Iwata’s shot was saved for a corner. After having two tastes of the cherry, Christoph Klarer made an attempt at something on his second try.
Alfie May forced Hornby into a save as he struck from a tight position, setting up a flurry of late chances. Emil Hansson almost had a cross deflected into the net by a Walsall defender, while Iwata’s strike looped behind for a corner, causing considerable trouble for the Walsall defensive. Despite their best attempts, Birmingham was unable to score a second goal, and the match ended in penalties.
Paik Seung-ho’s effort to score was denied after Jamille Matt missed his, but both teams converted their first two penalties.
Following the distribution of spot kicks by Jamie Jellis and Jay Stansfield, Reyes Cleary was faced with the task of putting Walsall ahead or Birmingham ahead. He calmly placed his shot beyond Ryan Allsop from a distance of twelve yards. Walsall prevailed 4-3 in the shootout when Alfie May’s attempt to score for Birmingham was denied by Hornby’s legs.
Birmingham City player ratings vs Walsall
Ryan Allsop – 6
A few nervous moments when his defenders passed the ball back to him. No real saves of note, but perhaps could have been a bit more commanding from set pieces.
Scott Wright (subbed off, 76) – 6
In the first-half, Wright had a real hunger and desire to get forward, and he looked like the player to get Birmingham up and running. Walsall in the second-half though contained him well.
Christoph Klarer – 7
Some smart defending in the first-half, and his head didn’t drop when Birmingham conceded. Took his goal well in what was a solid performance.
Ben Davies (subbed off, 53) – 6
He made a few smart blocks when Walsall were threatening.
Brandon Khela (subbed off, 53) – 5
Walsall found most of their joy down Khela’s flank, and that’s where their goal came from. Khela was beaten by Connor Barrett, who supplied the assist to Lakin. Frustrating.
Marc Leonard (subbed off, 53) – 6
Most notable act of the game was hitting the crossbar just before he was brought off.
Taylor Gardner-Hickman – 7
A few positive moments for Gardner-Hickman who was deployed as a right-back on the evening. Most of Walsall’s attacks came down the opposite flank, so he did his job defensively.
Jay Stansfield – 7 (star player)
One of Birmingham’s bright sparks. He wasn’t afraid to come deep to come and pick up possession. The deadline day signing had Birmingham’s best chance of the first-half, and tried to get his teammates involved. Dazzler.
Tomoki Iwata – 6
His shot led to the corner to which Klarer scored the equalising goal.
Ayumu Yokoyama – 6 (subbed off, 66)
Yokoyama nearly put Birmingham in front late in the first-half, but his effort deflected on to the side netting.
Alfie May – 6
Had a quiet game for most of the game but things did pick up in the last 15 minutes. He forced a save out of the goalkeeper and then there were a few half opportunities for him to latch on. Missed the decisive spot-kick.
Alex Cochrane (subbed on, 55) – 6
Cochrane’s introduction slowly saw Birmingham get more joy down the left, having been targeted by Walsall for the first hour.
Paik Seung-ho (subbed on, 55) – 5
Showed some neat feet inside the box, almost getting a shot away. His penalty was saved however at a time Birmingham could have gone in front.
Krystian Bielik (subbed on, 55) – 6
Came on and things seemed a bit more settled. Walsall didn’t get many clear-cut opportunities.
Emil Hansson – 6 (subbed on, 67) – 6
A few bright moments.
Lukas Jutkiewicz – 5 (subbed on, 76) – 5
There were not many noteworthy opportunities for the forward to score. accepted his punishment well, nevertheless.
Read more news on https://sportupdates.co.uk/
Leave a Reply