U21s report: Birmingham City 1 United 1

Our young Reds set the tempo early on and went ahead through Jayce Fitzgerald’s free-kick from an acute angle, but the hosts found an equaliser in the first half through Alezandro Da Silva.

Tyler Fletcher, Malachi Sharpe and Victor Musa all came close to netting a winner in the second period, but a resolute Blues defence kept us out.

Sharpe nearly got United off to the best possible start inside six minutes when he latched onto William Burrell’s back pass, but his effort inside the box was well saved by Will O’Sullivan.

Shortly after, Fitzgerald’s strike across goal from a tight angle nearly crept into the bottom corner as United started to find gaps in Birmingham’s defence early on.

Adam Lawrence's side didn’t take long to make the early control pay, when Fitzgerald’s free-kick from near the corner flag evaded the crowded penalty area to bounce into the back of the net.

After Diego Leon’s effort from close distance was kept out by O’Sullivan, Birmingham drew level with their first attack of the game. Zaid Betteka managed to free himself inside the box before squaring for Da Silva to equalise.

The home side grew into the game after their goal and managed to frustrate United, limiting us to few attacking opportunities. At the other end, Murdock pulled off an excellent diving save to deny Yusuf Ahmed’s right-footed shot from distance.

After the break, the tide of the game swung back in our favour with the likes of Finley McAllister and Fletcher dictating play from central areas.

Less than 10 minutes into the second half, Musa nearly restored our lead when he received the ball outside the box. After manoeuvring under pressure, his effort flashed just wide, forcing goalkeeper O’Sullivan to scramble across his goal line.

The Birmingham gloveman was called into action once again on the hour mark, this time to stop Fitzgerald from doubling his tally after the goalscorer was played through by Fletcher.

Lawrence made a triple change in the final 15 minutes of the contest with Louie Bradbury, Jay McEvoy and Rafe McCormack all coming on in an attempt to snatch a winner.

The changes almost worked immediately with McEvoy involved in the build-up of a move that ended with Sharpe having the opportunity to strike towards goal, but it dragged just wide.

Another chance came our way minutes later with Fletcher trying his luck from distance after the ball bounced kindly for him. The thunderous strike left O’Sullivan rooted to the floor, but it skimmed the crossbar and went over.

Bradbury then had a golden opportunity to put United ahead after a well-worked move ended in Fitzgerald threading the ball to the striker, but his side-footed attempt curled wide, and the referee's final whistle blew shortly after.

United: Murdock; Overy (McCormack 75), Jackson (c), Kukonki, Leon (Mills 62); T.Fletcher, McAllister (Bradbury 75); Sharpe, Fitzgerald, Shah (McEvoy 75); Musa.

Subs not used: Honor.

Goal: Fitzgerald 9.

Booked: Leon.

Birmingham City: O’Sullivan; Thompson-Jones, Briscoe, Burrell (c), Quirk; Rea, Ahmed (Martin-Moore 88); Sanders, Betteka, Da Silva; Guernier (Degtiarev 62).

Subs not used: Campbell, Terenowicz, Rente.

Goal: Da Silva 18.