Blues seal Semi spot

Birmingham City 1-0 Watford
The FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.ON
Sixth Round Proper
St. Andrews, Birmingham City FC
Monday 16 March 2009


Birmingham City sealed their place in the last four of The FA Youth Cup thanks to a last gasp winner against Watford at St.Andrews on Monday night.

Blues' Luke Hubbins proved to be the matchwinner with an 86th minute strike to put City in the Semi-Final for the first time in nearly 25 years.

They will now face three time winners Liverpool over two legs in the Semi-Final.

It could have been a different story though, as Watford had the first clear chance of the game when Hornets striker Martin Sordell got onto the end of a left-wing cross only to see his effort saved by Blues goalkeeper Dean Lyness.

That sparked Birmingham into life though and Jake Jervis was unfortunate not to score when Watford keeper Jonathan North blocked his close range effort.

It was certainly proving to be a close encounter in front of over 2500 fans at St.Andrews and there were chances at either end of the pitch, with Sordell proving a danger for the visitors but with extra time on the horizon, the home team made the breakthrough.

A pass was played through from midfield and when Hubbins outpaced the defence and shrugged off his marker, he clinically dispatched his shot past Lyness to send Terry Westley's City team through.

Goals
Birmingham City
Hubbins 86