Neil Etheridge produced his first clean sheet of the season after Birmingham City's 2-0 win over  Cheltenham Town FC in the first round of the  EFL Carabao Cup early Wednesday (Manila time) at Whaddon Road in Cheltenham, England.

The Azkals goalkeeper got his first start of the season on a positive note as midfielder Juninho Bacuna had a brace in the 24th and 32nd minutes for the Blues.

Birmingham coach John Eustace was happy with the team's performance as the Blues advanced to the second round of the Carabao Cup. 

"The lads are excellent. It's about using the squad and making changes tonight. I think we showed last season how important this team is and it's important we keep growing together," Eustace said in Birmingham's post-match interview. 

"I trust everyone of my players. It's important that we got thru and the boys' performances tonight were excellent.

Etheridge will be looking to get more games this season after only starting in three games for Birmingham in the EFL Championship, the second division of football in England.

The Blues are looking to improve from a 17th-place finish last season after getting a 14-11-21 win-draw-loss record.

Birmingham has only collected a draw after a 1-1 draw against Swansea City last 5 August and will hope to pick up a win in the league against Leeds United at home on 12 August at 10 p.m. (Manila time) at the St. Andrew's Stadium in Birmingham.