Birmingham City prepared for next week's Worthington Cup final against
Liverpool by beating promotion rivals West Brom in a bruising derby at St
Andrews.
After an impressive start by Albion, in which they had two men booked,
Birmingham took over and created and missed several good chances.
Brian Jensen, in the Albion goal, saved his side repeatedly.
But Birmingham took the lead after 37 minutes when former Albion full-back
David Burrows flighted over a cross from the right for the unmarked Dele Adebola
to head home from close range.
Within 60 seconds Albion were level when Tony Butler scored his first Albion
goal with a far-post header after a quick free-kick.
After substitute Bob Taylor had gone close for Albion early in the second
half, Birmingham regained the lead in the 58th minute. This time Adebola was the
creator, setting up the opportunity for Martin O'Connor to rifle home a fine
shot, off the inside of the post from 25 yards.
After that, the home side looked much more comfortable and ended the better
side, although they had a couple of late scares as Lee Hughes and Ruel Fox
nearly punished them near the end.
Teams:
Birmingham: Bennett, Atherton, Purse, Michael Johnson, Burrows,
Eaden (McCarthy 84), O'Connor, Woodhouse, Hughes, Adebola,
Marcelo (Andrew Johnson 79).
Subs Not Used: Poole, Tiler, Gill.
Booked: O'Connor.
Goals: Adebola 36, O'Connor 57.
West Brom: Jensen, Lyttle, Clement, Butler, Carbon, Sneekes,
Fox, Derveld (Van Blerk 63), Appleton (Jordao 74),
Roberts (Taylor 45), Hughes.
Subs Not Used: Hoult, Sigurdsson.
Booked: Derveld, Clement.
Goals: Butler 38.
Att: 25,025
Ref: R Pearson (Peterlee).
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