BURTON ALBION made a strong start to their Birmingham Senior Cup campaign with a 3-1 win away to Bedworth United.
First-half goals from Matty Lund, Ben Fox and an own goal handed the Brewers victory, while Kyle King scored for the hosts.
The Brewers started the game strongly and took the lead in the 12th minute. Marcus Dinanga twice forced saves out of Bedworth goalkeeper Adam Harrison in quick succession before Lund, back from his international exploits with Northern Ireland, drove the ball in off of the post.
Dinanga and Joe Sbarra both had chances for the Brewers but Bedworth held firm until the 32nd minute, when Ben Fox won a free-kick on the edge of the home team’s box. The midfielder picked himself up and curled home a sumptuous effort, which went in off the underside of the crossbar.
Minutes later, Tyler Worrall almost halved the deficit for Bedworth, but his effort was well saved by Harry Campbell in the Burton goal.
Five minutes before half-time, it was 3-0. Matty Palmer drove a low free-kick across the penalty area and the ball was diverted into the net by a Bedworth defender for an own-goal.
The Brewers started the second-half brightly and they almost made it 4-0 when Tom Naylor played in Reece Hutchinson, but he was only able to guide his effort just wide of the near post.
Jayden Cotterill was looking dangerous for the Brewers and he forced a brilliant save from Harrison in the Bedworth goal when he rose highest to win a header from a Burton corner.
Cotterill was at the centre of the action again when he drove from his own half and played in substitute James Harrison, but the striker was denied by his namesake in goal for Bedworth.
Bedworth pulled a goal back just after the hour-mark, when Kyle King produced a nice finish to beat Campbell and make it 3-1.
Ultimately, the goal was inconsequential for the Brewers as they held on for victory to progress in the competition.