![\"Alex](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Alex-Dicken-Birmingham-Mail.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBirmingham City secured their latest pre-season victory at Port Vale on Saturday afternoon<\/p>\n
Birmingham City reporter for BirminghamLive and the Birmingham Mail<\/p>\n
![\"Tommy](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_Port-Vale-v-Birmingham-City-Pre-Season-Friendly-Football-Vale-Park-Stoke-on-Trent-UK-26-Jul-2.jpg\")
Tommy Doyle of Birmingham City(Image: Phil Bryan\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
A full-strength Birmingham City defeated Port Vale 2-0 in their penultimate pre-season friendly.<\/p>\n
Keshi Anderson and substitute Willum Willumsson scored either side of half-time for Blues at Vale Park two weeks out from the beginning of the Championship season.<\/p>\n
Port Vale had the best chance of the opening quarter and it arrived via a set piece. Blues manager Chris Davies has earmarked set pieces as an area for improvement but the absence of Phil Neumann didn\u2019t help matters.<\/p>\n
George Byers ghosted in behind Bright Osayi-Samuel at the near post but, fortunately for Blues, he headed wide.<\/p>\n
Blues took the lead in the 26th minute through Anderson. Vale goalkeeper Marko Marosi made a meal of a back-pass and teed up Anderson who made no mistake with an unerring finish into the roof of the net.<\/p>\n
The game had a pre-season feel with few chances and incidents at either end.<\/p>\n
Davies made a bunch of changes just after the hour and one of those who came on, Willumsson, added the second goal with 10 minutes to play.<\/p>\n
George Hall, Tomoki Iwata, Lyndon Dykes and Emil Hansson combined to tee up Willumsson on the penalty spot and the Iceland international converted calmly.<\/p>\n
Blues have one more friendly to navigate against Nottingham Forest next weekend before Ipswich visit St Andrew\u2019s @ Knighthead Park for the Championship opener on August 8.<\/p>\n
Ryan Allsop<\/strong><\/p>\n Allsop only had to claim a few crosses in what was a very quiet afternoon for the goalkeeper. Allsop appears to be winning his battle with James Beadle to start the season in goal.<\/p>\n Bright Osayi-Samuel<\/strong><\/p>\n Osayi-Samuel was on the end of a Davies rollicking in the opening exchanges and soon started bounding forward in response. The athleticism of Osayi-Samuel is obvious but he was well marshalled at Vale Park.<\/p>\n Christoph Klarer<\/strong><\/p>\n Took responsibility at set pieces in what was quite a small Blues starting XI. The centre-back was dominant in the air and used the ball well on the ground.<\/p>\n Eiran Cashin<\/strong><\/p>\n A real mixed bag from the debutant. He showed good positioning and played a couple of really smart passes, but there were also loose balls and rusty moments to reflect on.<\/p>\n Alex Cochrane<\/strong><\/p>\n Cochrane was very solid at left-back and covered Cashin with a good tackle when he made a mistake. A shoo-in to start the season.<\/p>\n Tomoki Iwata<\/strong><\/p>\n Iwata moved the ball well in front of Blues\u2019 back four to start their attacks. The Japanese midfielder seems to be in good shape and was one of the players given an extended run-out by Davies.<\/p>\n Marc Leonard<\/strong><\/p>\n Leonard was given a chance in midfield in the absence of Paik but whether he has done enough to keep his place is up for debate.<\/p>\n Keshi Anderson<\/strong><\/p>\n Anderson continues to look sharp in pre-season and took his goal very well. The 30-year-old took one superb touch to get away from his man at the beginning of the second half and was one of Blues\u2019 more dangerous players.<\/p>\n Tommy Doyle<\/strong><\/p>\n Doyle was very good in possession. He was the player looking to unlock Vale and he was constantly on the look-out for space and defence-splitting passes. You can see why he was so sought after before Blues signed him on loan from Wolves.<\/p>\n Demarai Gray<\/strong><\/p>\n Gray came into the game more after half-time from his right-wing position and worked one good opportunity for himself from range. He will benefit from the minutes having started pre-season late.<\/p>\n Kyogo Furuhashi<\/strong><\/p>\n There was plenty of movement from Kyogo and one outrageously good touch right in front of Davies on the touchline, but he wasn\u2019t on the same wavelength as his teammates and rarely threatened the Vale goal.<\/p>\n Get the latest Blues headlines sent straight to your phone<\/p>\n BirminghamLive has its very own Birmingham City<\/a> WhatsApp community to deliver the latest headlines straight to your phone. Just click this link<\/a> to receive daily Blues content and breaking news. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. Click on the name at the top of your screen while in WhatsApp and click ‘Exit Group’. Read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n SUBS<\/p>\n Krystian Bielik (for Cashin, 56)<\/strong><\/p>\n Slotted in seamlessly alongside Klarer, providing good cover to his defensive partner and playing well with the ball at his feet.<\/p>\n Willum Willumsson (for Doyle, 65)<\/strong><\/p>\n A great finish to cap the victory and Willumsson was eager to get on the ball and impress after being left on the bench.<\/p>\n Emil Hansson (for Anderson, 65)<\/strong><\/p>\n Hansson bagged his second assist of the week by touching the ball into Willumsson\u2019s path. He\u2019s given the right response to being frozen out at the beginning of pre-season.<\/p>\n George Hall (for Gray, 65)<\/strong><\/p>\n A positive cameo from the homegrown youngster. Hall retrieved the ball to keep the attack alive for Willumsson\u2019s goal and took up some clever positions.<\/p>\n Ethan Laird (for Osayi-Samuel, 65)<\/strong><\/p>\n Carried the ball forward well at times and defended strongly against Gordon. Laird has a fight at right-back on his hands.<\/p>\n Lyndon Dykes (for Kyogo, 73)<\/strong><\/p>\n Dykes played his part in Willumsson\u2019s goal with a good knock-down to Hansson.<\/p>\n Taylor Gardner-Hickman (for Leonard, 73)<\/strong><\/p>\n Tried one shot from distance that was blocked. The midfielder’s versatility will be a great asset in his search for minutes this season.<\/p>\n Alfons Sampsted (for Cochrane, 84) N\/A<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Alex](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_Cochrane.jpg\")
Alex Cochrane of Birmingham City<\/p>\n