Birmingham City hosted Hull City, with the Championship side taking the victory in a promising performance by Lee Clark's men in the home sides final pre-season game before their league campaign kicks off. Goals from Matt Green, from a corner taken by new boy Shane Ferguson - freshly available after a loan move from Newcastle United - and Andrew Shinnie ensured victory, before Sone Aluko scored a penalty consolation for the visitors. After gaining automatic promotion from the Championship, Steve Bruce would have been hoping to prove they could compete as a Premier League side, while Birmingham, having finished mid-table last season would have been hoping for a confident display to take into Saturdays opener against Watford. It was the Championship club who came through a scrappy affair between the two clubs, with Hull disappointing, especially so close to the start of the new season. In their final game before the Championship campaign kicks off, Birmingham didnt start with a full strength line up with Kyle Bartley, Lee Novak, Darren Ambrose and Nikola Zigic all rested as precautions. Hull started with what may prove to be their strongest line-up with new loanee Danny Graham lining up alongside George Boyd up front. Much of the play throughout the match came from the middle of congested midfield, with few chances created between the two sides in the 1st 10 minutes. Birmingham however broke the deadlock in the 12th minute when Fergusons corner found Matt Green unmarked as he coolly headed past keeper Allan McGregor. After the goal, it would have been expected of Hull to raise the intensity but the remaining 30 minutes of the half was surprisingly lacklustre, providing a few half-opportunities.
To begin the 2nd half, Bruce brought on Sone Aluko, Paul Mcshane and David Meyler in an attempt to provide a little more stability in the middle, but it proved ineffective as Birmingham pounced 4 minutes in, taking advantage of another defensive mix up, as Chester was caught in possession by Allan who laid the ball across the box for Shinnie to tap in. The goalscorer could have extended the lead only a few minutes later after being put through one-on-one with McGregor, but good pressure from the Hull keeper forced his shot past the post. With his side 2-0 down, Bruce made four changes, striker Proschwitz, Fryatt, Bruce and Dudgeon. Birmingham boss Lee Clark did not choose to make any changes until the 60th minute when he brought on Elliott, Arthur and Hancox. The last 20 minutes of the second half proved to be a most effective period of play for Hull. Good build up play led to a McShane header, which was well saved by Randolph but Birminghams Paul Robinson brought down Aluko in the box for a clear penalty. Aluko himself confidently slot away the penalty, sending Randolph the wrong way to make it 2-1, ultimately proving to be only a consolation for the away side. Birmingham were far more confident throughout the match and were able to comfortably generate attacks through Hulls poor defending, something Birmingham manager Lee Clark would have been pleased with. It promises much for the new season. With Hull however, Steve Bruce must be concerned about how his side performed. While coming through without picking up any injuries Hull were lacklustre at the back and with a lack of energy and creativity up front it doesnt bode well for their Premiership campaign. Hull City will hope to better their performance when they play League 1 side Peterborough in their next pre-season friendly on Monday, while Birmingham will host Watford to begin their Championship campaign next Saturday.
Birmingham City Line-up (3-5-2) Randolph Burn Robinson Mullins Ferguson (Elliott - 60) Adeyemi (Arthur - 60) Reilly (Brown 85) Allan (Hancox - 60) Eardley Green Shinnie (Burke 71)
Subs: Doyle Higgins Hancox Burke Elliott Arthur Brown Lee
Hull City Line-up (3-5-2) McGregor Elmohamady (Proschwitz - 57) Figueroa (Aluko - 45) Cariney Chester Davies (Bruce - 57) Brady Quinn (McShane - 45) Graham (Fryatt - 57) Koren (Meyler - 45) Boyd (Dudgeon - 57)
Subs: Jakupovic Bruce McShane Proschwitz Aluko Fryatt Meyler Dudgeon
Attendance 5,225