Saturday 26th September 2015 @ The Priory School, Edgbaston

Harborne 0 – 9 Erdington and Saltley

Team: Rob, Sam, Diago, Taylor, Kye, Rio, Kane, Oakley, Cameron E and Jakeel

Goals: Kane x 4, Cameron E x 2, Rio x 2 and OG

Man of the Match: Kane

Following the amazing victories in the Bath International Cup and the BPSFA 6-a-side Championship we were left wondering if our start to the season could get any better. An hour after kicking off yesterday morning we had our answer…YES. A resounding YES!

The game couldn’t have started any better for The Ton, as an unfortunate Harborne defender put the ball into his own next shortly after two minutes. Following that piece of fortune, the boys continued to push their opponents and were rewarded with two further goals, one from captain Kane and another for Cameron E who was making his debut for the u11s after playing for the u10s this season. In fact it’s worth noting that this is Cameron’s first season of playing football. Prior to this season he hadn’t played for a team, although now he is playing for a incredibly talented Phoenix u10s team and the district u11s team!

If the first third was all Erdington and Saltley, the second third was a much more even affair. Our fluid attacking football from the first third had been replaced by scrappier play and the second 20 minutes ended 0-0. At times we were over playing and missing opportunities to play in team mates who were in better positions.

Determined to right this wrong, the team was switched around a little with Rio dropping in to the centre of defence, Sam moving into midfield and Cameron going back up front. These changes re-energised the boys and they once again dominated the game, so much so that they scored six more goals to win 9-0. Kane grabbed himself tree more goals to make it four for the game, whilst Cameron netted a second and Rio, who now found himself on the right wing, scored a truly stunning brace! The first came immediately after moving to the right wing, when the Birches Green winger burst down the right, skipped past three players, cut into the box and rifled the ball into the roof of the net! His second was equally as stunning, as he and Kane linked up to take a short free kick before Rio blasted it in from outside of the box.

What a morning! Every time we asked the boys for something extra they reacted positively. The feel about the team is brilliant and the sense of team spirit is unlike anything I’ve ever known. This could be a great season BUT only if we continue to work our socks off and make the most of every opportunity. This is something that I’m convinced we are capable of doing!

It would be wrong of me to sign off without mentioning the defence and Rob. A clean sheet is always a fantastic achievement and something to shout about, so that’s exactly what I’m doing! A special mention to Taylor, who like Cameron E, is an u10s and made his debut for the u11s yesterday. The future is bright!

Thank you Harborne for your warm welcome and thank you to the boys for your great attitude. Good luck ahead of the season.

Up The Ton!