Saturday 22nd October 2016 @ Heartlands Academy
Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League
Team: Gerard, Cian T, Kian B, Tiarno, Taylor, Ilani, Cameron, Blessing, Che and William
With both teams making a strong start to the season, the fans and players of both districts had many reasons to believe that the barnstorming rivalry from 2015/16 could be here to stay in 2016/17. Yesterday’s encounter did little to dispel this view, with Sutton edging a pulsating battle one goal to none.
Sutton started the first third like a steam train and dominated the early exchanges. However with six minutes left on the clock, The Ton created three excellent chances that could have easily seen them finish the first twenty minutes three goals to the good.
However with the scoreline still goalless, Sutton Coldfield once again took control of the game during the opening minutes of the second third. Then in a fashion identical to the opening twenty, The Ton once again had the best chances of the third, with captain Ilani forcing the Sutton keeper into a cracking save, tipping the ball around his right-hand post.
With both teams keen to take all three points, The Ton saw two more tantalising chances go narrowly wide, with the Sutton keeper pulling off another great save; this time from the dangerous Cameron.
It was then Sutton’s turn to threaten the net, although initially Gerard, just as he did last week against Dudley, pulled off a great double save. With the Ton clearance landing just outside the area, the Sutton player put his foot through it and watched it sale over Gerard’s out-stretched arms.
Yet as the clock ticked down, The Ton created more great opportunities, with Che charging through onto an Ilani ball, only for the Sutton keeper to pip him to the ball.
Although the result didn’t go our way, the performance was full of so many positives, not least the defensive solidity of Cian, Kian and Tiarno, plus the distribution of Gerard.
Sutton travelled home with all three points on this occasion but there were more than enough positives to leave us excited about the return leg later in the season!
It seems only right to end by celebrating the fact that Ilani, Cameron, Cian T, Taylor and Gerard were this week called up to the City of Birmingham team for Saturday’s game against Leeds Primary schools. Well done boys, everyone connected with the Ton is incredibly proud of your achievement.
Man of the Match: Cian Tevlin
Up The Ton!
Erdington and Saltley Primary Schools' FA 