On Good Friday, April 18, 2025, Birmingham City, fresh off their League One championship triumph, faced Crawley Town at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, but were unable to capitalize on their celebratory momentum, settling for a frustrating 0-0 draw. The match was marked by a guard of honour from Crawley, acknowledging Birmingham’s recent success, yet the visitors put up a commendable fight, earning a well-deserved point.
From the outset, Birmingham looked to assert their dominance. Just seconds into the match, Jay Stansfield found himself one-on-one with Crawley’s new goalkeeper, Toby Steward, who had just signed on an emergency loan from Portsmouth. Stansfield’s initial attempt was saved, but he soon came close again, striking the post with a powerful shot just three minutes later. The Blues were clearly eager to make a statement after their recent disappointment in the Vertu Trophy final against Peterborough.
Despite Birmingham's early pressure, Crawley began to find their rhythm. The visitors, battling relegation and sitting six points off safety, grew in confidence as the first half progressed. Manager Lindsey, who was serving the first half of a two-match touchline ban, watched from the stands as his side executed some dangerous counter-attacks, much to the chagrin of Birmingham’s manager, Chris Davies.
As the half wore on, Birmingham continued to create chances. A slick passing move saw Ethan Laird play in Keshi Anderson, whose shot was expertly saved by Steward, who was quickly establishing himself as the standout performer for Crawley. However, the home side’s dominance was not reflected on the scoreboard.
The second half saw Birmingham ramp up the pressure. Laird had another opportunity, glancing a header wide after a delivery from Christoph Klarer. But it was Crawley who nearly broke the deadlock just before the hour mark. A misplaced pass from Birmingham’s Ryan Allsop allowed Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, a product of Aston Villa’s academy, to seize the ball on the edge of the box. Unfortunately for Crawley, Hepburn-Murphy blazed his shot over the bar, leaving the home fans relieved.
As the match approached its final minutes, Birmingham made tactical changes, bringing on substitutes to inject fresh energy into their attack. One of the substitutes, Luke Harris, threaded a clever pass to Paik Seung-ho, but once again, Steward was equal to the challenge, denying Birmingham with another excellent save.
The match ended without a goal, leaving Birmingham to ponder their inability to convert chances into goals. Despite their championship status, the Blues’ performance raised questions about their finishing ability, especially after coming off a disappointing loss in the cup final just five days earlier.
In terms of player performances, Steward’s heroics in goal for Crawley were pivotal. He not only saved Stansfield’s early efforts but also kept the Blues at bay throughout the match. Meanwhile, Stansfield was a constant threat for Birmingham, showcasing his skills and creating opportunities for his teammates, though he ultimately could not find the back of the net.
Defensively, Crawley’s backline held firm against Birmingham’s attacking prowess. Captain Conroy and Barker provided a solid foundation, allowing the team to absorb pressure and counter effectively. The Crawley side, which had already seen eight different goalkeepers this season, demonstrated resilience and determination, crucial for their fight against relegation.
Attendance for the match was recorded at 27,325, with fans hoping to witness a celebration of their team’s recent success. However, the draw left many feeling that Birmingham had missed an opportunity to solidify their championship status with a convincing home win.
As Birmingham City looks ahead, they will need to address their finishing issues if they hope to maintain their momentum heading into the final matches of the season. Meanwhile, Crawley Town will take heart from their performance, knowing that a point against the league champions could prove vital in their battle for survival.
In the end, the match served as a reminder that in football, even the champions can find it difficult to break down a determined opponent, and for Crawley, every point counts in their quest to escape relegation.
