Saturday 11th April 2015 @ Braemar Road
Erdington and Saltley 6 – 0 Derby
Team: Harvey, Sam, Shaun, Teon, Kruize, Jermaine, Tyrese, Shilo, Troy, Cameron and Hayden
Goals: Shilo x 4, Troy and Kruize
For the second game in a row The Ton went goal crazy, whilst ensuring that Harvey’s last minute dash from America was worth the trip with a clean sheet for the keeper.
With the sun shining and a crisp breeze in the Air, we welcomed Derby Primary Schools to Braemar for the quarter final of the Burton Shield (West Midlands Schools FA Cup). The game started with The Ton going on the attack immediately from the first whistle. The boys looked bright and energetic, looking to attack at every opportunity. They certainly didn’t resemble a team who were playing their first game in three weeks. The opening goal was converted by Shilo following a quick Tyrese free kick which was lofted over the defence from left of the centre circle, before Shilo brought the ball down out of the air and smashed it home. It was no less than we deserved and the lads didn’t look back once from that moment on. Next up was twinkle toes Troy who slotted the ball away expertly after some great work down the right from Shilo. Troy could have had two, only to be flagged offside (correctly) when through on goal (Shilo also had a goal disallowed for straying offside). Not to be perturbed, the lads continued to plug away and Jermaine in particular was having fun down the right hand side of the pitch. However it was from the left hand side that our third goal came, with Kruize cutting in and holding his marker off, before scoring his 12th goal of a great campaign.
During half time the wind decided to pick up and the lads knew they would have to increase their workload, especially faced with the task of playing uphill. Nevertheless Derby started the second half the better of the two teams, and were on top of the game during the first five minutes of the second period. The Ton weathered the storm though and slowly but surely started to retake control of the game, with the back three of Shaun, Sam and Hayden providing the rest of the team with a solid foundation upon which to build their attacks. The fourth goal (and fifth and sixth!) came from the boot of Shilo, with the St. Matthew’s forward securing his second hat-trick in two games (and 9th goal in two games!). I’m not sure of the exact nature of his three second half goals, other than the fact that he worked his socks off for each and every one of them, although I do know that he rounded the keeper and slotted into an empty net for one of them, after being played through by Teon. Gunter pupil Cameron was playing out of his normal striking position on the right wing, attacking and defending with equal gusto and energy. However his efforts couldn’t lead to a seventh goal, despite several moments of excitement being delivered up for the onlooking Ton Army.
Despite Derby’s best efforts and refusal to never give up, Harvey had a relatively quiet day in goal and will be pleased with his clean sheet after stepping off the plane a matter of hours before the game! Now that is commitment. Another special mention should be reserved for Tyrese who bagged himself a hat-trick of assists!
No report of today’s game would be complete without mentioning Shaun (Biggy). Without discussing what we already know, the Slade pupil should be immensely proud of his efforts today. Well done kid!
Next up in the Burton Shield is Brierley Hill and Dudley. We’ll lock horns with our rivals from the Black Country for a place in the final over the next few weeks! Before that there’s the small matter of the league to decide.
Man of the Match – on any other week it would have been hard to have given it to anyone other than Shilo, after he scored four goals. However today it has to go to Biggy. Enough said.
Up The Ton!
Erdington and Saltley Primary Schools' FA 