3:48pm
Shinnie got in a decent position to the left of goal as the half drew to a close but his tame shot was easily held by Kuszczak.
Then David Lopez poked a pass through the Blues back line and Randolph had to be brave as he dived at the feet of Ulloa to grab the ball.
Half: Birmingham 0 Albion 0
3:43pm
Eardley had looked lively at right wing-back. Birmingham were at last starting to get left-sided Ferguson, on loan from Newcastle, into the game as well. His cross was blocked by Calderon at the cost of a corner. But, when the ball was delivered high to the far post, Kuszczak held it cleanly.
3:38pm
Hesistant play in possession by Agustien gave Blues the chance to launch an attack which saw Shinnie's goalbound shot well blocked by the covering Greer.
3:34pm
David Lopez was having his most creative game of the season so far. But he dug in at the other end with a terrific tackle just outside his own box to nick the ball away from Allan.
With Birmingham coming more into the game around the half-hour mark, Allan tried an ambitious volley from a long way out which dipped a yard or two over Kuszczak's crossbar.
3:31pm
In a rare moment of Birmingham menace, Shinnie ran with the ball into the area but Upson stepped in and guided it back to Kuszczak.
City came again and Greer had to be alert to head away Eardley's cross.
A poor pass by Ulloa gave Shinnie the chance to run at Albion from just inside their own half and Greer's obstruction to halt his progress earned the skipper a yellow card.
But, when the free-kick was lofted into the box, Ulloa made amends by heading clear and then volleying the follow-up cross out of harm's way.
3:24pm
The feeling that Albion should, by now,*have taken their fourth early lead of the season was reinforced on 21 minutes when David Lopez got Ulloa in behind the defence.
The striker tried to check back on to his right foot and ultimately could only manage to poke what was a very good chance gently past the post.
City were then at full stretch to prevent Ulloa reaching a far post cross. The resulting corner was worked short and across to the centrally located Ward, who blasted narrowly over from 25 yards.
3:19pm
Randolph has been earning good reviews since his summer switch from Motherwell and*the Irish goalkeeper*was alert to block a downward header from Ulloa right on his line after Buckley crossed from the left byline. Both Albion players involved looked hungrier than their markers to get to the ball.
3:13pm
Thje free-kick eventually led to Agustien drilling a shot into the home goalmouth but City cleared after a couple of ricochets.
3:12pm
The home crowd were in subdued mood - but they were somewhat relieved when ref Hooper brought play back to award Albion a free-kick in midfield as they looked to be developing*a dangerous attack. Robinson was booked for his foul on Buckley.
3:10pm
Albion, though, had made a composed start and they should have tested Randolph for the first time on seven minutes.
David Lopez*got the ball in to Agustien breaking into the box in the inside-left channel*and he jinked past a defender - only to*be caught in two minds over whether to chip for goal or to the far post and eventually do something in between the two.
Then Buckley thumped in a volley which Randolph held.
3:06pm
Kuszczak, back at the*ground were he has had dramatically contrasting fortunes in the past, came out to hold the game's first cross very confidently* above his head as Albion defended the goal closest to their own supporters.
The visitors then got Calderon to the byline but his low cross was cleared.
Birmingham's 3-5-2 set-up demanded that their wing-backs get forward. Eardley did just that after a neat passing move in their own half but Upson moved across to capably deal with the danger and win the ball back.
Allan had the first shot of the game with a free-kick drilled low from 25 yards but Kuszczak got down sharply to his right to hold.
3:01pm
Buckley is drifting towards the left and David Lopez further right.
3:00pm
Albion fans have the corner section away to my right at the Raiilway End. Albion will defend that end in this first half.
There are no fans actually behind that goal. Birmingham are in the other corner.
Match is under way.
2:59pm
Teams are out with Albion in yellow shirts, black shorts and yelllow socks.
Upson received a mix of applause and boos when his name was read out.
That tallies with what we were told beforehand. The local newspaper reporter advised me Upson would get a decent reception, then Upson himself said he expected it to be hostile!
2:52pm
My first tweet brought news of a Sussex success in Birmingham today. Sid The Shark of Sussex CCC won the mascot race on t20 finals days at Edgbaston. Will there be more to follow?
2:49pm
Ward, Andrews and Crofts in for Maksimenko, Ince and Barnes today. Here's your link for team news...
http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/10619407.Ward_makes_debut__Andrews_and_Crofts_start/
2:47pm
So then, is today the day? Or will Oscar's first win as head coach of Albion*have to wait until, shall we say, mañana.
All will be revealed on the St Andrew's pitch right in front of me over the next two hours.
Original article
Shinnie got in a decent position to the left of goal as the half drew to a close but his tame shot was easily held by Kuszczak.
Then David Lopez poked a pass through the Blues back line and Randolph had to be brave as he dived at the feet of Ulloa to grab the ball.
Half: Birmingham 0 Albion 0
3:43pm
Eardley had looked lively at right wing-back. Birmingham were at last starting to get left-sided Ferguson, on loan from Newcastle, into the game as well. His cross was blocked by Calderon at the cost of a corner. But, when the ball was delivered high to the far post, Kuszczak held it cleanly.
3:38pm
Hesistant play in possession by Agustien gave Blues the chance to launch an attack which saw Shinnie's goalbound shot well blocked by the covering Greer.
3:34pm
David Lopez was having his most creative game of the season so far. But he dug in at the other end with a terrific tackle just outside his own box to nick the ball away from Allan.
With Birmingham coming more into the game around the half-hour mark, Allan tried an ambitious volley from a long way out which dipped a yard or two over Kuszczak's crossbar.
3:31pm
In a rare moment of Birmingham menace, Shinnie ran with the ball into the area but Upson stepped in and guided it back to Kuszczak.
City came again and Greer had to be alert to head away Eardley's cross.
A poor pass by Ulloa gave Shinnie the chance to run at Albion from just inside their own half and Greer's obstruction to halt his progress earned the skipper a yellow card.
But, when the free-kick was lofted into the box, Ulloa made amends by heading clear and then volleying the follow-up cross out of harm's way.
3:24pm
The feeling that Albion should, by now,*have taken their fourth early lead of the season was reinforced on 21 minutes when David Lopez got Ulloa in behind the defence.
The striker tried to check back on to his right foot and ultimately could only manage to poke what was a very good chance gently past the post.
City were then at full stretch to prevent Ulloa reaching a far post cross. The resulting corner was worked short and across to the centrally located Ward, who blasted narrowly over from 25 yards.
3:19pm
Randolph has been earning good reviews since his summer switch from Motherwell and*the Irish goalkeeper*was alert to block a downward header from Ulloa right on his line after Buckley crossed from the left byline. Both Albion players involved looked hungrier than their markers to get to the ball.
3:13pm
Thje free-kick eventually led to Agustien drilling a shot into the home goalmouth but City cleared after a couple of ricochets.
3:12pm
The home crowd were in subdued mood - but they were somewhat relieved when ref Hooper brought play back to award Albion a free-kick in midfield as they looked to be developing*a dangerous attack. Robinson was booked for his foul on Buckley.
3:10pm
Albion, though, had made a composed start and they should have tested Randolph for the first time on seven minutes.
David Lopez*got the ball in to Agustien breaking into the box in the inside-left channel*and he jinked past a defender - only to*be caught in two minds over whether to chip for goal or to the far post and eventually do something in between the two.
Then Buckley thumped in a volley which Randolph held.
3:06pm
Kuszczak, back at the*ground were he has had dramatically contrasting fortunes in the past, came out to hold the game's first cross very confidently* above his head as Albion defended the goal closest to their own supporters.
The visitors then got Calderon to the byline but his low cross was cleared.
Birmingham's 3-5-2 set-up demanded that their wing-backs get forward. Eardley did just that after a neat passing move in their own half but Upson moved across to capably deal with the danger and win the ball back.
Allan had the first shot of the game with a free-kick drilled low from 25 yards but Kuszczak got down sharply to his right to hold.
3:01pm
Buckley is drifting towards the left and David Lopez further right.
3:00pm
Albion fans have the corner section away to my right at the Raiilway End. Albion will defend that end in this first half.
There are no fans actually behind that goal. Birmingham are in the other corner.
Match is under way.
2:59pm
Teams are out with Albion in yellow shirts, black shorts and yelllow socks.
Upson received a mix of applause and boos when his name was read out.
That tallies with what we were told beforehand. The local newspaper reporter advised me Upson would get a decent reception, then Upson himself said he expected it to be hostile!
2:52pm
My first tweet brought news of a Sussex success in Birmingham today. Sid The Shark of Sussex CCC won the mascot race on t20 finals days at Edgbaston. Will there be more to follow?
2:49pm
Ward, Andrews and Crofts in for Maksimenko, Ince and Barnes today. Here's your link for team news...
http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/10619407.Ward_makes_debut__Andrews_and_Crofts_start/
2:47pm
So then, is today the day? Or will Oscar's first win as head coach of Albion*have to wait until, shall we say, mañana.
All will be revealed on the St Andrew's pitch right in front of me over the next two hours.
Original article