Town fans watched their side crash out in a depressing game at Birmingham’s St Andrew’s. A number of bad defensive errors allowed the home side to score four goals as Town failed to hold on to their 1-0 advantage from the first leg.
Town lined up with Gary Croft coming in for Fabian Wilnis who injured his groin in training. Mark Venus took over from Titus Bramble who failed to pass his fitness test. Up front Richard Naylor got the nod over James Scowcroft who started on the bench. Alun Armstrong was cup-tied.
The St Andrew’s pitch was all we had heard it was and largely resembled St Andrew’s Golf Course. Wide areas of the pitch were bunker-coloured while the rest was badly cut up.
Birmingham had the best of the early exchanges without really creating too many clearcut chances. Their frenetic direct style suited the conditions far more than Town’s more measured approach. The physical element to the game promised by Birmingham was there for all to see and it was ironic when Richard Naylor picked up an early yellow card for a foul.
Town seemed to weather this storm and began to get on top. Hermann Hreidarsson should have done better when he made a long run from the back, played a one-two and faced only Ian Bennett in the Birmingham goal. Unfortunately the Icelander put the ball wide of the post.
Just when Town fans were looking at the watches and thinking that they’d done half the job Birmingham scored. A cross came in from the right and in the centre John McGreal and Gary Croft seemed as though they ought to have cleared the ball easily. However, no-one seemed to make the call and Richard Wright hared off his line to intervene. All this did was send the ball high into the air and dropping inexorably towards the Town goal. Martin Grainger applied to final touch and sent St Andrew’s wild. The pitch was invaded by the home fans as they celebrated the equalising goal.
At half-time George Burley took off Richard Naylor and brought on James Scowcroft. This immediately had an effect with Scowcroft’s better hold-up play bringing the midfield into it more. Unfortunately despite a number of close thins, notably a header from Stewart it was Birmingham who scored. Geoff Horsfield was found onside and free from markers on the edge of the area. The former Fulham striker hit a shot which was excellently saved by Richard Wright, however, no defender had got back to cover and the striker shot home. Again the crowd ran on the pitch causing a delay in the restart.
When the game did get going again the Birmingham players were caught still trying to wind their own crowd up and immediately Town scored. Jamie Clapham crossed from the left and James Scowcroft hit a shot against Bennett from six yards, but like Horsfield he got to the rebound and silenced the home fans.
Both sides had periods of pressure as the ninety minutes ran down. Town were probably in the ascendant over all, but couldn’t create enough clearcut chances. The final whistle blew with Town still having the edge due to their away goal which would come into play after extra-time. Sadly this was not to be the case.
Halfway through the first half of extra time Gary Croft lost Geoff Horsfield as a ball was played in front of him on the left of the penalty area. The striker needed no second opportunity and blasted the ball past Wright. Once more the game was held up while fans were removed from the pitch. It was a shocking blow at a time when Town were looking like they might hold on to their advantage.
Martijn Reuser came on to add fresh legs up front with Gary Croft coming off. Town made the effort, but the crossing was poor and little of consequence was created.
The icing on the cake for the home fans came with a couple of minutes left on the clock in the second half. The ball was played back to Richard Wright who became a victim of the pitch with a Gary Walsh like effort. Andy Johnson cleared up the error and lashed the ball into the empty net and again Birmingham fans invaded the pitch. That just about summed the night up for Town fans. One which should have been one to remember became one we must all try to forget.
Back to the League Saturday with heads up for the game against Leeds. Europe is still on through that door at least.