3:36pm
Better now from Birmingham and Stockdale has two saves to make around the half-hour mark.
Routine saves, first low down from Caddis and then above his head from a powerful Spector shot when most of us expected a cross.
But saves all the same and enough to encourage home players and fans alike.
There was also a terrific run by Donaldson which took him away from Ince but was ended by a perfect tackle from Greer just outside the box.
3:31pm
Remember David Lopez’s volley into the Tilton End goal two seasons ago?
Bruno maybe does as he has just tried a volley of his own at that end – but it flew well over from outside the box.
He hit it first time after a poor Forster-Caskey free-kick had just been as poorly cleared!
At the other end, oohhs and aahs as the hosts are just unable to get on the end of a tempting low cross.
3:24pm
Home fans have just really found their voices as their side harried, hassled and hurried the Seagulls in possession.
It was tenacious stuff and the home supporters loved it as Albion were forced all the way back to Stockdale.
Albion, though, successfully kept the ball all that time, kept passing and eventually won a corner – from which Mackail-Smith’s back header dropped just over the bar.
3:20pm
Birmingham look marginally the brighter team so far.
Although he started on the left, Novak is a central striker and could potentially offer an additional threat.
He gravitated into a central position and let fly with a 25-yarder which went wide with Stockdale covering that post.
Stockdale earlier earnt applause from Albion fans when he came a long way to safely hold a free-kick hung up into the penalty area.
3:13pm
It has been a subdued spectacle so far but Birmingham lifted their supporters momentarily*with a move down the right which led to Davis forcing a corner which Bruno hacked clear.
3:10pm
We have pretty much a midfield diamond from Albion but LuaLua, at its most forward point, seems to have freedom.
He has drifted wide to the left a couple of times already.
No incidents of note as yet.
3:08pm
Albion had to clear an early cross rather hurriedly but Stockdale has just given a great example of his distribution skills with a drilled 50-yard pass to LuaLua.
The Seagulls fans have one half of one end, that closest to Stockdale's goal in the first period.
3:01pm
And we're under way...
3:00pm
As the teams walk out - with Albion in their NEw red and black away strip - a reminder of the Seagulls line-up (with confirmed formation).
******************** STOCKDALE
CALDERON** GREER* HUGHES** CHICKSEN
************************ INCE
********** *BRUNO********** *F-CASKEY
***************** ** LUALUA
********* * M-SMITH*** O'GRADY
2:58pm
With Mr Blue Sky blasting out of the loudspeakers and echoing around the stands, what better time to start the live report from Birmingham?
The sun is coming out to brighten a very chilly, grey day here at St Andrew's - just as it as when Albion kick-started their season here a year ago.
That was their third league game of the campaign. This is their second.
But, like their hosts, Albion have yet to register a point this term. Both sides will see this as a good chance to change that.
Original article
Better now from Birmingham and Stockdale has two saves to make around the half-hour mark.
Routine saves, first low down from Caddis and then above his head from a powerful Spector shot when most of us expected a cross.
But saves all the same and enough to encourage home players and fans alike.
There was also a terrific run by Donaldson which took him away from Ince but was ended by a perfect tackle from Greer just outside the box.
3:31pm
Remember David Lopez’s volley into the Tilton End goal two seasons ago?
Bruno maybe does as he has just tried a volley of his own at that end – but it flew well over from outside the box.
He hit it first time after a poor Forster-Caskey free-kick had just been as poorly cleared!
At the other end, oohhs and aahs as the hosts are just unable to get on the end of a tempting low cross.
3:24pm
Home fans have just really found their voices as their side harried, hassled and hurried the Seagulls in possession.
It was tenacious stuff and the home supporters loved it as Albion were forced all the way back to Stockdale.
Albion, though, successfully kept the ball all that time, kept passing and eventually won a corner – from which Mackail-Smith’s back header dropped just over the bar.
3:20pm
Birmingham look marginally the brighter team so far.
Although he started on the left, Novak is a central striker and could potentially offer an additional threat.
He gravitated into a central position and let fly with a 25-yarder which went wide with Stockdale covering that post.
Stockdale earlier earnt applause from Albion fans when he came a long way to safely hold a free-kick hung up into the penalty area.
3:13pm
It has been a subdued spectacle so far but Birmingham lifted their supporters momentarily*with a move down the right which led to Davis forcing a corner which Bruno hacked clear.
3:10pm
We have pretty much a midfield diamond from Albion but LuaLua, at its most forward point, seems to have freedom.
He has drifted wide to the left a couple of times already.
No incidents of note as yet.
3:08pm
Albion had to clear an early cross rather hurriedly but Stockdale has just given a great example of his distribution skills with a drilled 50-yard pass to LuaLua.
The Seagulls fans have one half of one end, that closest to Stockdale's goal in the first period.
3:01pm
And we're under way...
3:00pm
As the teams walk out - with Albion in their NEw red and black away strip - a reminder of the Seagulls line-up (with confirmed formation).
******************** STOCKDALE
CALDERON** GREER* HUGHES** CHICKSEN
************************ INCE
********** *BRUNO********** *F-CASKEY
***************** ** LUALUA
********* * M-SMITH*** O'GRADY
2:58pm
With Mr Blue Sky blasting out of the loudspeakers and echoing around the stands, what better time to start the live report from Birmingham?
The sun is coming out to brighten a very chilly, grey day here at St Andrew's - just as it as when Albion kick-started their season here a year ago.
That was their third league game of the campaign. This is their second.
But, like their hosts, Albion have yet to register a point this term. Both sides will see this as a good chance to change that.
Original article