Birmingham City player ratings vs Walsall: 'Frustrating' 5/10s but one 'dazzler' gets 7/10

The hosts carved the first meaningful chance of the half as the ball fell kindly to Stansfield, and he swept a shot at goal with Sam Hornby diving down low to deny him.

Walsall, despite making six changes, and resting their match winner Jamille Matt showed some attacking intent, and pressed the defence high, forcing them in to some mistakes. The visitors found some joy down the flanks, with their highlight of the first-half being a header from Nathan Lowe, but his attempt was straight at Ryan Allsop.

Birmingham finished the half off strongly, and had another opportunity to break the deadlock. Ayumu Yokoyama cut inside and tried to find the bottom corner, but his effort deflected on to the side netting for a corner, and Walsall were able to clear, with the half-time whistle sounding shortly after.

As the players emerged for the second period, it was Walsall who seized the initiative as they went in front. The away side broke from a Birmingham corner with Connor Barrett teeing up Charlie Lakin who powered home from just inside the box.

A response was needed from the home side and they almost drew level from a dead ball situation. Marc Leonard got some power on his effort as he beat the wall but he could only watch as the ball rattled off of the crossbar. His evening would shortly come to an end after that as he along with Brendon Khela, and Ben Davies made way in a raft of changes.

Walsall for a period looked to have done a good job at shutting Birmingham out. Alfie May who had few opportunities from inside the box let fly from 25-yards and Hornby had to be alert to palm away his shot. Tomoki Iwata on his home debut went close as his shot was tipped over the bar after being laid off by Stansfield.

Seven minutes from time, Birmingham got themselves level after Iwata’s effort was put behind for a corner. Christoph Klarer had two bites of the cherry and on his second attempt he laced an effort home.

A flurry of late chances were to follow as Alfie May forced Hornby in to a save as he shot from a tight angle. Emil Hansson caused the Walsall defence some problems as his cross was nearly deflected in to the net by a Walsall defender, before Iwata's effort spun behind for a corner. Birmingham for all their efforts could not find a second goal and the game went to penalties.

Both sides scored their first two penalties but then Jamille Matt missed his effort, however Paik Seung-ho failed to take advanage of it.

Jamie Jellis and Jay Stansfield dispatched their spot-kicks, which put Reyes Cleary in the position of either giving Walsall the lead or handing Birmingham the advantage, and he coolly slotted his effort from 12-yards past Ryan Allsop. Alfie May had to score for Birmingham, but Hornby blocked his effort with his legs, and Walsall won the shootout 4-3.

Birmingham City player ratings vs Walsall

Ryan Allsop - 6

A few nervous moments when his defenders passed the ball back to him. No real saves of note, but perhaps could have been a bit more commanding from set pieces.

Scott Wright (subbed off, 76) - 6

In the first-half, Wright had a real hunger and desire to get forward, and he looked like the player to get Birmingham up and running. Walsall in the second-half though contained him well.

Christoph Klarer - 7

Some smart defending in the first-half, and his head didn’t drop when Birmingham conceded. Took his goal well in what was a solid performance.

Ben Davies (subbed off, 53) - 6

He made a few smart blocks when Walsall were threatening. 

Brandon Khela (subbed off, 53) - 5

Walsall found most of their joy down Khela’s flank, and that’s where their goal came from. Khela was beaten by Connor Barrett, who supplied the assist to Lakin. Frustrating.

Marc Leonard (subbed off, 53) - 6

Most notable act of the game was hitting the crossbar just before he was brought off. 

Taylor Gardner-Hickman - 7

A few positive moments for Gardner-Hickman who was deployed as a right-back on the evening. Most of Walsall’s attacks came down the opposite flank, so he did his job defensively.

Jay Stansfield - 7 (star player)

One of Birmingham’s bright sparks. He wasn’t afraid to come deep to come and pick up possession. The deadline day signing had Birmingham’s best chance of the first-half, and tried to get his teammates involved. Dazzler.

Tomoki Iwata - 6

His shot led to the corner to which Klarer scored the equalising goal.

Ayumu Yokoyama - 6 (subbed off, 66)

Yokoyama nearly put Birmingham in front late in the first-half, but his effort deflected on to the side netting. 

Alfie May - 6

Had a quiet game for most of the game but things did pick up in the last 15 minutes. He forced a save out of the goalkeeper and then there were a few half opportunities for him to latch on. Missed the decisive spot-kick.

Alex Cochrane (subbed on, 55) - 6

Cochrane’s introduction slowly saw Birmingham get more joy down the left, having been targeted by Walsall for the first hour.

Paik Seung-ho (subbed on, 55) - 5

Showed some neat feet inside the box, almost getting a shot away. His penalty was saved however at a time Birmingham could have gone in front.

Krystian Bielik (subbed on, 55) - 6

Came on and things seemed a bit more settled. Walsall didn’t get many clear-cut opportunities.

Emil Hansson - 6 (subbed on, 67) - 6

A few bright moments.

Lukas Jutkiewicz - 5 (subbed on, 76) - 5

The forward didn’t get any notable opportunities to score. Took his penalty well though however.