A very strong Blues reserve side progressed to the second round of the Birmingham Senior Cup last night as goals at the end of each half from Daniel de Ridder and Rowan Vine were enough to overcome Halesowen Town at The Grove.

Former Blues captain Martin O'Connor's BGB Premier side put up a battling display against a Blues team that included several recognised first team players along with summer signings de Ridder, Oubina, Wilson Palacios and Rafael Schmitz.

The visitors missed a host of good first half chances before Sadler's left wing cross on 44 minutes found de Ridder, who skipped past home defender Dave Haywood before firing home to give his side an interval lead.

More opportunities came and went for Bertschin's side after the break and the Yeltz almost made them pay when two Blues old boys Davion Hamilton and Nick Wright combined to almost fashion an equaliser.

But Vine made the victory safe in the final minute when he blasted home the second goal from Neil Danns' cross.

Halesowen: Chris Jay, Jeff Forsyth, Dave Haywood, Edward Booth, Stuart Pierpoint, Lee Williams, Azariah O'Garro, Andre Francis (Sean Platt 64), Aaron Farrell, Steve Cooke (Nick Wright 45), Liam McDonald (Davion Hamilton 64).

Blues: Artur Krysiak, David Howland, Franck Queudrue, Martin Taylor, Rafael Schmitz, Wilson Palacios, Daniel De Ridder, Oubina (Ryan Burge 88), Rowan Vine, Neil Danns, Mat Sadler.