Brewers edged by Blues in Bass Vase clash

Birmingham City lifted the Bass Charity Vase as they beat Burton Albion 2-1 in another solid pre-season workout for the Brewers at the Pirelli Stadium. Albion gave a good account of themselves against the Championship side and were perhaps a shade unlucky to lose but, at the same time, they did not create a large number of chances.

Friday signings Calum Butcher and Victor Adeboyejo were not included in the squad, understandably, but last week’s earlier signing, Quevin Castro, was on the bench, while there was a return to action in the starting line-up for Jonny Smith after his shoulder operation in the summer. There was an experienced look to Birmingham, at least in terms of captain Troy Deeney and striker Scott Hogan.

The Brewers initially struggled to get out of their own half but won a fourth-minute free kick on the right. Davis Keillor-Dunn delivered it and Sam Hughes got his head to it but the ball drifted harmlessly out.

At the other end, Deeney tried to chip Ben Garratt from 20 yards but sent the ball over the bar. Hogan shot tamely wide for Birmingham when Deji Oshilaja slippedS but Burton were starting to see more of the ball.

Smith did brilliantly to reach a pass down the line from Trialist A but his cross was just beyond Keillor-Dunn at the far post after 15 minutes. The Brewers had a goal disallowed in the 20th minute when Smith’s cross was headed down by Gassan Ahadme and turned in almost on the line by Keillor-Dunn, who was offside. Smith, played in by Ahadme, then shot straight at Etheridge from 20 yards but the Brewers’ passing at this stage was impressive.

Juninho Bacuna, when the ball fell kindly for him on the edge of the box, had Birmingham’s best chance so far after 37 minutes but his volley was