Saturday 7th December 2013 @ Braemar Road
Erdington and Saltley 4 – 1 Sutton Coldfield
Team: Dermot; Callum, Leyton, Alex; Kruize (George), Ramello, Ethan, Michael; Amari
Scorers: Kruize, Alex, Ethan, Michael
Man of the Match: Callum
Derby matches can sometimes be exceptionally scrappy affairs, with neither team wanting to lose. However, the Braemar Road Derby couldn’t have been any more entertaining, with both teams attacking at every opportunity. In what has to be considered a relative shock, The Ton never went behind and actually started the game on top! After going close on a number of occasions and with Amari causing all sorts of problems for the Sutton Coldfield defence, The Ton took the lead through Kruize. Bursting through the defence, Amari chipped the ball over the onrushing keeper and with the ball heading just wide of the far post, Kruize darted in to poke the ball home. Further chances came and went but The Ton were unable to extend their lead. Nevertheless, with a clean sheet at half time, we were all happy.
Young Kruize was given a rest at half time and George came into the team on the left of midfield. It should be noted that George, just like Leyton, was playing out of position and just like Leyton, he performed admirably. Back to the action…The Ton continued to throw everything they had at Sutton and would have scored a few more if it hadn’t been for some fine saves by the Sutton Keeper. The constant pressure paid off when Alex ghosted in on the back post to stab an Ethan corner into the net. Once again Amari was causing Sutton lots of problems up front and the midfield four were passing the ball with pace, as well as doing the ‘dirty work’ when they didn’t have the ball. With The Ton on top, Sutton Coldfield snatched a goal back despite Alex’s best efforts to clear the ball off the line. With Sutton very much back in the game, Ethan smashed home an unstoppable shot after superbly controlling the ball on the edge of the area. Long distance goals are becoming the midfielder schemer’s signature! Moments later, after being given offside on several occasions, Amari sprinted clear of the Sutton back three before cutting the ball back for Michael to finish.
With three players absent due to their academy commitments, The Ton stood up and were counted. Without a shadow of a doubt, this was our best all round performance of the season. We have previously played amazingly well in spells but never for the whole match like we did against Sutton. Every player played to their very best and should be immensely proud of their performance (even if they didn’t score a goal Amari!) and this was the perfect way to respond to the defeat to South Birmingham two weeks ago.
The league takes a back seat now until the end of January and cup football comes to the forefront with Gloucester visiting Birmingham next week. This will be the first time that Gloucester have traveled to Braemar Road to play The Ton and I’m incredibly excited about the tough challenge that they’ll pose. It’s sure to be an epic game!
Enjoy your week boys!
Up The Ton!
Erdington and Saltley Primary Schools' FA 