Birmingham win as Cunningham debuts

Partick Thistle 1 Birmingham 2

Birmingham City ended their Scottish tour with a narrow but comfortable victory over Partick Thistle after successive defeats to Livingston and Motherwell.

The midlanders were just too strong for the Firhill men who, despite battling hard, never created enough clear cut chances to worry the visitors.

Birmingham fielded a strong side in what was the last game of their Scottish pre-season tour and gave a debut to ex-Wimbledon defender Kenny Cunningham.

But the home side took the game to their English opponents straight from the kick-off and looked sharp in the opening stages.

And it was Thistle who had the first real chance to open the scoring in the 10th minute when an attempted back pass by former Celtic player Olivier Tebily left Scott McLean clear through on goal.

The big striker had only keeper Nico Vaesen to beat but snatched at his shot and watched in despair as the ball went well wide of the Birmingham goal.

McLean did have the ball in the City net minutes later but the referee’s assistant ruled it off for an earlier offside.

As the first half wore on there was little between the teams although Thistle looked to have more of an appetite for the game than their opponents who could not fashion a chance worthy of note.

But it was the visitors who took the lead in the 27th minute courtesy of a penalty.

Blues striker Geoff Horsfield, looking offside, raced clear on the right and when he moved into the box he was sent flying by Jags midfielder Kenny Milne.

There was no doubt about the decision and Stern John stepped up to score off Thistle keeper Kenny Arthur’s left hand post.

The visitors’ confidence increased and they began to take control of the game, passing and moving with increased conviction.

As the tackles flew in and the game became more heated, there were chances at both end with Blues defender Darren Purse and Thistle’s McLean having decent efforts.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 49th minute when Horsfield turned the ball in from close range and despite Thistle defender Stephen Craigan trying to who head clear, the goal was given.

The home side were rewarded for their hard work in the 75th minute when substitute Paul Walker, on for Jamie Mitchell, netted with a drive from just inside the box.

In the 80th minute Jags substitute Alan Archibald, on for Jamie Buchan, drew a good save from Vaesen with a 20-yard drive.