Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by Green Towers Spa |
Match Report
Rain lashes down heavily here at St Andrews where Birmingham City play host to Bristol Rovers. A crowd of 8,667 fill this 10,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Birmingham City are playing in a 3-4-3 formation while Bristol Rovers appear to be shaped for 4-3-3.
Today's match is refereed by David Minto.
The pitch is in poor condition.
Birmingham City are playing in a 3-4-3 formation while Bristol Rovers appear to be shaped for 4-3-3.
Today's match is refereed by David Minto.
0.00
0-0The whistle blows and Birmingham City kick off!
2.21
1-0Nicholas Charlton flicks a high pass forward. Graham Carter holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Graham Carter knocks in a cross ball towards Massimo Polonia. Massimo Polonia beats his man to it with a header. Marino Gullit is helpless! The ball slams into the back of the net - goal!!
12.17
1-0Aniello De Liguori threads the ball through to Arnold Robben. Arnold Robben knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Gianmarco Pivotto.
14.27
1-0Aniello De Liguori chips the ball to his team mate, Danny Moncur. Danny Moncur makes a great pass forward. Arnold Robben runs clear and latches on but the linesman indicates offside!
16.30
1-0Terry Oakes threads the ball through to Tim Wiltord. Tim Wiltord flicks a high ball forward to Danny Moncur who takes it down. Danny Moncur shoots from 20 yards. The keeper is more than a match for it. Good save!
21.52
1-0Pierre G. Mezzano comes in with a late challenge on Aniello De Liguori. Pierre G. Mezzano is shown the yellow card! Aniello De Liguori stretches but gets up unharmed.
27.01
1-0Patrick Pearce deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Graham Carter. Graham Carter plays a one-two with Massimo Polonia and advances towards the goal... Paul Helmer clumsily knocks into Graham Carter. That's got to be a penalty! No, the ref waves play-on!!
28.11
1-0Des Scales hits a low pass to Danny Moncur. Danny Moncur shoots from 20 yards. The ball flies a good few feet wide of the post.
32.17
Des Scales makes an attacking run forward. Des Scales lofts in a cross ball towards Danny Moncur. Danny Moncur outjumps his marker and heads the ball goalward. The ball clips the inside of the post and flies into the back of the net!! Goal for Bristol Rovers!
36.19
Des Scales flicks a high pass forward. Arnold Robben collects the pass. Arnold Robben makes a probing pass to Craig Shearer but he's offside!
38.48
Tim Wiltord sees a break and surges forward. Tim Wiltord cuts inside the box! Tim Wiltord shows great control and tries a shot on goal but it whistles just wide of the post!
39.08
Terry Simonsen breaks forward. Terry Simonsen takes it forward alone. Terry Simonsen shoots from outside the area but Marino Gullit reads it well. Excellent save!
42.12
Pierre G. Mezzano threads the ball through to Oliver Haller. Oliver Haller skips past Terry Oakes! Oliver Haller cuts inside the defence and shoots at goal. Magnificent save by Marino Gullit!
45.00
The first half ends with the referee blowing his whistle!
Both teams emerge for the second half. Birmingham City appear unchanged since the first half. Bristol Rovers also appear unchanged since the first half. The Bristol Rovers players seem much more motivated whilst the Birmingham City players look more relaxed than they were earlier in the game.
45.00
Bristol Rovers kick off and get the second half underway!
47.29
Paul Helmer comes in with a late challenge on Graham Carter. The referee calls over Paul Helmer and shows him a yellow card! Graham Carter runs off the knock.
49.26
Terry Simonsen hacks Arnold Robben from behind! The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Arnold Robben runs off the knock.
49.26
Free kick to Bristol Rovers just outside the area...
52.12
Craig Shearer takes a slow run up and curls a wicked ball around the wall. It clips the inside post and goes in. What a cracker! Terry Scholes had no chance!!
54.44
Nicholas Charlton flicks the ball to his team mate, Oliver Haller. Oliver Haller threads the ball through to Graham Carter but he's offside!
59.40
Aniello De Liguori makes a simple pass to Arnold Robben. Arnold Robben shoots from 25 yards. The ball edges inside the post - goal!!
61.40
1-3Bristol Rovers have made 3 substitutions with Don Mckinlay replacing Danny Moncur, Jermaine Wright-Phillips replacing Aniello De Liguori and Harris Jansen replacing Felice Paris .
63.15
Pierre G. Mezzano flicks a high pass forward to Massimo Polonia who brings the ball under control. Massimo Polonia knocks the ball forward, putting Graham Carter through on goal. Graham Carter rockets a shot on goal but is denied by Marino Gullit. Excellent save.
65.28
Brian Gardner flicks a high pass forward. Oliver Haller controls it well on his chest. Oliver Haller deftly passes the ball to Massimo Polonia, releasing him through on goal. Massimo Polonia side-steps and rifles a shot at goal but is denied by Marino Gullit. Excellent save.
72.04
Terry Simonsen plays the ball forward to Brian Gardner. Brian Gardner deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Graham Carter. Graham Carter whips in a cross ball towards Oliver Haller. Oliver Haller is perfectly placed and heads the ball at goal. The keeper, Marino Gullit, sees it late!! Goal for Birmingham City!
79.12
Seeing a gap ahead, Harris Jansen plays the ball forward to Tim Wiltord. Tim Wiltord controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Arnold Robben. Arnold Robben shoots from long range but it sails harmlessly over the bar!
83.23
Harris Jansen flicks a high pass forward to Des Scales who brings the ball under control. Des Scales threads a neat ball through to Arnold Robben. Arnold Robben knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
84.27
Massimo Polonia comes in with a late challenge on Jason Brand. The referee calls over Massimo Polonia and shows him a yellow card! Jason Brand hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
90.00
The referee blows for full-time
Match Statistics
Goals
2
3
Shots on Target
6
4
Shots off Target
0
3
Offsides
1
2
Fouls
3
1
Yellow Cards
3
1
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
53.8%
46.2%
Play Area
26.2%
45%
28.7%
Scorers
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Massimo Polonia of Birmingham City |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Terry Scholes (GK) | 6 | |
| 2. | Harvey Cooper (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Terry Simonsen (DEF) |  | 6 |
| 4. | Gianmarco Pivotto (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Patrick Pearce (MID) | 6 | |
| 6. | Pierre G. Mezzano (MID) | | 6 |
| 7. | Brian Gardner (MID) | 6 | |
| 8. | Nicholas Charlton (MID) | 7 | |
| 9. | Oliver Haller (ATT) |  | 8 |
| 10. | Graham Carter (ATT) | 8 | |
| 11. | Massimo Polonia (ATT) | | 8 |
| 12. | Noel Philips (DEF) | 0 | |
| 13. | Andy Ferdinand (GK) | 0 | |
| 14. | Graham Vieira (MID) | 0 | |
| 1. | Marino Gullit (GK) | 7 | |
| 2. | Jason Brand (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Paul Helmer (DEF) | | 5 |
| 4. | Terry Oakes (DEF) | 7 | |
| 5. | Felice Paris (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Tim Wiltord (MID) | 7 | |
| 7. | Des Scales (MID) | 8 | |
| 8. | Aniello De Liguori (MID) | 7 | |
| 9. | Arnold Robben (ATT) | | 8 |
| 10. | Craig Shearer (ATT) | | 6 |
| 11. | Danny Moncur (ATT) | | 8 |
| 12. | Don Mckinlay (GK) | 6 | |
| 13. | Jermaine Wright-Phillips (MID) | 6 | |
| 14. | Harris Jansen (DEF) | 6 | |