Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers Locked at 1-1

Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers are inseparable at 1-1 in an exciting League One clash going on now at Adams Park, with the match taking a thrilling shape as it moves into half time.

The match got underway in front of a limited number of supporters as both teams attempt to rise out the bottom half where Birmingham City sat 15th at kickoff on two points, just ahead of Wycombe Wanderers who were 16th with one point. The matches were must-wins and the hostility on-field was directly proportional to how desperate both sides wanted another win.

Birmingham looked well off a mid-table side throughout and controlled the ball almost superbly from minute one, with their 82.3% possession dwarfing Wycombe's subterranean tally of just 17.7%. But this control was soured momentarily in the 22nd minute, when Birmingham's K. Bielik put into his own net to give Wycombe the undeserved lead.

But rather than silence them, the setback seemed to fire up Birmingham City. And it was their hard work which paid off in the 31st minute as A. May scored to make things equal again, with both teams on level terms once more. Although it got Birmingham in the game, this goal exhibited something deeper from Blues: their grit to turn a 0-1 deficit into 2-1 lead.

The intensity of the match did not dim with both teams performing as if their lives depended on every ball, but play was interrupted numerous times due to fouls and yellow cards. By 50th minute Referees busily plying their trade, somehow restraining the match to keep within that spirit but allowing an intense rivalry unfold.

It is a big game for Birmingham City too - not just in points terms but momentum more generally after what has been an extremely difficult beginning to the season. And that they have been able to force teams into a low percentage of possession is certainly an encouraging indication for their fortunes in the near future. But turning possession into goals is another, which will be important for Pellegrino to address as the team looks to hone their game and improve offensively.

The teams are in the second half and still aiming to find that one goal, as both sets of fans look for that dramatic ending. Result this match could be consequential for both Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers as they seek to climb the league table, and get a psychological edge as well.

This tight game has encapsulated just how close League One as a whole is going to be this season and already provides the foundation for an enthralling fight at both ends of what I regard as one of those incredibly volatile compasses in professional football.