A bright and warm Saturday afternoon with a 2,00 pm kick off, attracted me to drive on a busy M25 and A3 down to Aldershot to watch a friendly between Tommy Widdrington’s Aldershot Town of the National League and the team I have supported since boyhood, Birmingham City, newly managed by Chris Davies as well as being “newly located” in League One.

This game was a hastily arranged fixture, with Birmingham City wanting game time for their squad ahead of the start of the League One season, and with a limited range of chances in the fixture they already had scheduled today away at Midlands rivals, Walsall. Aldershot Town of the National League, had to battle with a local fayre and celebration taking place in the locality and the lack of away fans who had chosen to visit the fixture at their near neighbours. Despite this there was a respectable crowd of 851 in attendance today including 67 Blues fans (plus myself!!).

The EBB stadium has covered standing and seating on four sides. It is a ground full of character and whilst clearly needing some updating and love, it is a great place to watch football and when packed would generate quite an atmosphere.

Aldershot Town lined up with summer signing, Ryan Jones, from Bristol Rovers as well as Kai Corbett, who joined from Peterborough, looking to make an impact. Today’s fixture would be a real test of credentials against a side who are tipped to do well in League One this season.

Birmingham City came with new signings, keeper Ryan Allsop, defender Christoph Klarer, midfielder Marc Leonard, and striker Emil Hansson all on display. Experienced Captain and club stalwart Lucas Jutkiewicz, led the front line, with assistant manager, Ben Petty, acting as gaffer in Chris Davies’ absence.

The game kicked off with Birmingham City owning much of the possession and causing early problems via Romelle Donovan.

On 8 minutes Birmingham City scored the opening goal when Keshi Anderson found some space to slot home comfortably from the left hand side of the penalty area. At this point it felt like the home team would be in for an uncomfortable afternoon.

On 23 minutes Aldershot Town were level when Ryan Jones scored with a well finished half volley, after a sweet cross from Lachlan Byrd found him in acres of space, to surprise the visitors and level scores at 1-1.

If Birmingham City were surprised at 1-2 they were in shock just a minute later, when Aldershot Town were 2-1 ahead, after Theo Witherington followed up a chance when Hady Ghandour’s header rebounded off the cross bar.

At half time it was Aldershot who by now we’re in the ascendency and with Birmingham City finding much of their sala cation by the work of Donovan in the midfield and the ferocious chasing and passing of Tate Campbell on the left.

The second half saw more Birmingham City possession but some real chances being created on the break by Aldershot Town. Emil Hansson looked dangerous but kept tripping the off side trap, however with time will be a real threat this season.

Hansson had a good chance cleared off the line in the 68th minute, when it looked as if his hard work and skill had levelled the score for the Blues. A fine clearance on the line by Aldershot’s Christian Maghoma saved the day.

Aldershot had seen two efforts strike the woodwork, so it was no huge surprise when Ollie Bray made it 3-1, with a clinical finish, on 78 minutes to put the result to bed and secure an unlikely victory.

At fulltime the crowd knew they’d seen an entertaining and hard fought match. Both sides had gained much from the fixture and while Birmingham City would have been disappointed that they didn’t get a result, they had gained valuable game time for their squad and learnt something about each player. Aldershot secured a win for the non-league over the EFL team and can go forward into the 2024-25 National League season with some confidence on the back of this.