Source: Daily_Mail
Maribor 1 Birmingham 2: Ell of a night as Blues claim memorable Euro victory
Wade Elliott spared Birmingham goalkeeper Colin Doyle's blushes as his winner earned the npower Championship side their first Europa League victory despite his team-mate's horrendous blunder.[LNB]Doyle had gifted NK Maribor the half-time lead in their Group H clash when he swung at and missed Jonathan Spector's backpass to allow DaliborVolas to score a comical opener.[LNB] Wade to go: Elliott celebrates his winner against Maribor[LNB]But Scotland winger Chris Burke levelled and then Elliott, a recent signing from Burnley, earned Chris Hughton's side a memorable victory with a classy strike to give his side real hope of making a push for the knock-out stages.[LNB]City boss Chris Hughton made several changes for his side's first away group fixture, including the decision to field Doyle in place of regular starter Boaz Myhill.[LNB] Early blow: Maribor players celebrate their opening goal against Birmingham[LNB] Maribor coach Darko Milanic, who masterminded Rangers' downfall at the play-off stage, fielded Ibrox goalscorer Volas up front at the Stadion Ljudski.Both sides were seeking their first points having lost their respective openers but the onus was on the Slovenian champions to take all three on home soil.[LNB] Air raid: Goalkeeper Jasmin Handanovic punches clear[LNB]Marlon King's early header was held by Jasmin Handanovic and stand-in captain Liam Ridgewell's header just lacked enough power.Maribor went close when captain Marcos dragged his shot just wide and Doyle then showed superb reflexes to tip away Goran Cvijanovic's point-blank header.At the other end King had two half-chances either side of Keith Fahey's off-target volley.[LNB] Over the top: Birmingham's Wade Elliott, left, is challenged by Maribor's Martin Milec[LNB] When the deadlock was broken, it was in farcical circumstances.[LNB]Doyle, so impressive moments earlier, somehow missed Spector's backpass and then seemed to watch helplessly asthe ball rolled behind him and Volas gleefully put the ball in the net.[LNB]Three Birmingham half-chances came and went in one move as King's shot was blocked, Burke's follow-up was savedand Jean Beausejour's attempt went wide.[LNB] Behind you: Nejc Potokar (right) of Maribor fights for a ball with Pablo Ibanez of Birmingham[LNB] [LNB]MATCH FACTSMaribor: Handanovic,Milec,Potokar,Arghus,Viler,Mezga (Crnic 86), Lesjak,Mertelj (Beric 81),Cvijanovic (Ibraimi 71),Tavares,Volas. Subs Not Used: Pridigar,Filipovic,Mejac,Velikonja.[LNB]Booked: Lesjak[LNB]Goals: Volas 29[LNB]Birmingham: Doyle, Spector, Ibanez,Caldwell, Ridgewell, Burke, Fahey, Gomis, Beausejour, Elliott, King (Zigic 65). Subs Not Used: Myhill,Murphy,N'Daw,Rooney,Redmond,Wood.[LNB]Booked: Ridgewell,Gomis.[LNB]Goals: Burke 64,Elliott 79.[LNB]Att: 11,000[LNB]The goal briefly quietened the travelling contingent of just over 600 Birmingham fans and Ales Mertelj threatened to shut them up completely when his searing drive from distance whistled over the bar early in the second half.[LNB]Ridgewell, booked just before the break,was perhaps unwise to tangle with Dejan Mezga on the touchline while attempting to take a throw-in but referee Tom Harald Hagen decided no action was necessary.[LNB]Hughton had strikers Nikola Zigic and Chris Wood stripped and ready to come on when the equaliser came in the 64th minute[LNB]King held the ball up well and flicked it on to Burke, who then showed superb technique to poke the ball aroundhis marker and slot it under the onrushing Handanovic.[LNB] Chris of life: Burke celebrates his equaliser[LNB]Zigic immediately replaced King anyway and he caused Maribor immediate trouble.[LNB] Elliott could then have done better with a chance soon after but Handanovic came out deny him.[LNB]But Birmingham were buoyant and Elliott soon struck the winner.[LNB] King size: Birmingham striker is challenged by Maribor's Martin Milec[LNB]A speculative punt forward 11 minutes from time just eluded Morgaro Gomis' control, but when the loose ball was not dealt with, Elliott was alert to the opportunity and drove his right-footed half-volley inside Handanovic's near post.[LNB]Handanovic could perhaps have shown morestrength to keep the shot out but Elliott did not care as he sprinted away to celebrate in front of the joyous Birmingham contingent.[LNB] EUROPA LEAGUE LIVE: All the action as it happenedHughton hopes Zigic and King can fire Birmingham to European success against MariborWolves manager McCarthy confirms McFadden interest after successful trial[LNB]
