Birmingham City continued their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win over Walsall courtesy of a goal from Alfie May.
May scored the only goal at the Poundland Bescot Stadium as Blues made it four pre-season wins in a row. Chris Davies' side have defeated Walsall, Rangers, Shrewsbury and Solihull Moors since their heavy defeat to SC Paderborn 07 in Austria.
Walsall caught Blues napping early on with a swift counter-attack down the right via Josh Gordon. Gordon picked out Charlie Lakin at the far post and the ex-Blues midfielder forced Bailey Peacock-Farrell into a fine double save. Peacock-Farrell had no right to deny Lakin at the second attempt but he showed brilliant reactions.
Blues dominated the ball but created very little of note. Ethan Laird glanced a header wide midway through the first half after a clever corner routine teed up Jordan James to cross.
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Well-drilled Walsall almost gifted Blues the opening goal when Connor Barrett misjudged a header back to his goalkeeper. May nipped in and lobbed the onrushing Tommy Simkin but Walsall defender Oisin McEntee dashed back to clear off the line to ensure the scores were level at the break.
How Siriki Dembele didn’t give Blues the lead within two minutes of the restart no one will ever know. He rounded Simkin but, with only the goal to find, Dembele hit the foot of the post.
Peacock-Farrell made another smart double save from Jamie Jellis and Ryan Stirk at the other end soon after. The goalkeeper came to Blues’ rescue after they conceded possession when trying to play out from the back.
Incisive play by Koji Miyoshi to find space behind Walsall’s midfield and thread a pass through to James created Blues’ opener. James fired the ball across for May to divert it past Simkin.
May almost scored a second soon after with a strike from 18 yards that hit the foot of the post. The 31-year-old striker describes himself as ‘a little pest’ and he didn’t give Walsall’s defenders a moment’s peace.
Walsall couldn't muster a response to a commanding Blues performance in the second half. Now for next week's Reading dress rehearsal against West Bromwich Albion.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell 7
The goalkeeper seems to be closing on the number one spot and made two really good double saves against Walsall. The second stop from Lakin showed superb reactions.
Ethan Laird 7
Laird bounded forward all afternoon and worked his way into some great positions to cross. Once Laird finetunes his pass selection in the final third the assists will flow.
Krystian Bielik 6
Bielik showed his skills in the first half to simultaneously control the ball with his chest and catch his falling gumshield. The Pole continues to wear the captain’s armband and looks perfect for a centre-back role in Davies’ system.
Dion Sanderson 6
Sanderson missed a couple of long balls in the first half, which is unlike him, but he tidied up in possession after half-time and dominated Josh Gordon aerially.
Alex Cochrane 6
The left-back appears to have edged ahead of Lee Buchanan and performed well at Walsall. Cochrane shifted between the left side of defence and left central midfield in possession and used the ball intelligently.
Paik Seung-ho 7.5*
Paik should be nowhere near League One with his ability but the South Korean is on course to start the season with Blues. Every touch is classy and he has such an array of passes in his arsenal.
Jordan James 7.5
While James isn’t as easy on the eye as Paik, he has the ability to run beyond defences from midfield. James showed his running power to set up May’s goal.
Koji Miyoshi 7
Davies has given Miyoshi so much freedom to roam into midfield where he can combine with like-minded footballers. Miyoshi’s awareness was on display for the goal when he turned in space and played in James to assist May.
Willum Willumsson 6
A mixed bag from the big Icelander who wasn’t totally at ease in possession but he was effective at times. Willumsson is a different type of number 10.

Siriki Dembele 6
Dembele should have given Blues the lead at the beginning of the second half on his audition to pip Emil Hansson to the left wing berth. He didn’t have it all his own way against Barrett but you can’t deny Dembele’s talent in possession.
Alfie May 7
St Andrew’s is going to absolutely adore Alfie May. In addition to another well taken goal, May harassed and harried Walsall’s defence with a tireless display. He was unlucky not to score a couple more in Walsall.
SUBS
Brandon Khela (for Laird, 77) N/A
Briar Bateman (for May, 88) N/A
Not used: Mayo, Home