Blues Under-18s hit the winning trail

Blues youth recorded a fine victory in a pre-season friendly against Vitoria de Guimaraes.

In their opening tour game in Portugal, they succeeded 2-1.

Both the goals came in the first-half: Tai-Reece Chisholm turning in the ball during a scramble in the area from a corner routine and then Jordan Clarke rounding the 'keeper to score from a Jack Concannon pass.

Blues' Portuguese opponents blazed a penalty over the crossbar just before the break.

And then in the second-half Zach Jeacock saved another Guimaraes penalty and Ben Forrest got the follow-up attempt off the goal line.

Blues did concede right at the death but they came through deserved winners.

Karl Hooper, Professional Development Coach and Under-18s Assistant, said: "Overall both myself and (Lead Professional Development Coach) Steve Spooner were pleased with the overall performance and application.

"We represented Birmingham City Academy in the way we want to play, by pressing high and dominating the ball for long periods with creativity and intelligence.

"The boys implemented very the things we have been doing in training very well and certainly we could have won by more goals; we could have been more ruthless as we squandered some good chances and also hit the post."

Blues 'second and final game of their training camp in Esposende is against FC Porto on Sunday.