A dozen of the best

Saturday 21st October 2017 @ New College, Leicester

Leicester 1 – 12 Erdington and Saltley

Team: Padraig, Louie, Mason, Olly, Klechai, Jaiy, Enoch, Callam, Liam and Angelo

Goals: Callam x 5, Liam x 4, Jaiy x 2 and Klechai

Man of the Match: Olly – at the heart of every attacking move, whether he was at right back, right midfield or centre midfield.

With Storm Brian joining us for our first ever game against Leicester Schools, a blustery challenge faced us as we arrived in the East Midlands.

Once again our team had a very attack-minded feel to it, with a midfielder at centre back, a striker at left back and a left winger at right back! However the back three were superb from start to finish, ably supported by Padraig between the sticks. The opening fifteen minutes saw The Ton pile forward and pepper the Leicester goal with shots, but it was the defence who invariably started each attack. Composed in possession, the defence were always available to the midfield, who were never afraid to use them when under pressure from the Leicester boys. With Jaiy sitting in midfield and dictating play, the opening exchanges were as good as we’ve played all season. While the goals did not come immediately, our ability to retain possession and play around the pitch was a joy to see.

As the first third wore on, we managed to make our superior possession count, as well as the helping hand we were afforded from the aforementioned Storm Brian. Our first goal was very lucky but the least we deserved. An in-swinging Liam corner evaded the out-stretched arm of the Blues keeper thanks in no small part to Brian! Liam recently hasn’t had the luck his effort has deserved so he thankfully accepted the support on offer by Big Bry!

A further three goals came and meant we ended the first third four goals to the good.

As the ferocity of the gales increased and Tonn battled to hold onto his hat, the boys switched ends and charged head-on into the best that Brian and Leicester had to offer. This was undoubtedly our best period of the game as our unrelenting pressure came to fruition with a number of quality individual and team goals coming our way. Pleasingly the boys continued to play as a team and avoided the temptation to go for personal glory.

Liam completed his hat trick, although we won’t mention the one that he “cleared” over the empty net! Likewise, u10s Callam bagged a hat-trick of his own and almost made it a double hat-trick as he continuously cut in from the left wing to bear down on the Leicester net.

All over the pitch we had boys who were prepared to work their socks off and brave in possession. The first two thirds were brilliant for the boys in black, although to their enormous credit, Leicester came back into the game during the final third. Refusing to give up, the East Midlanders got on the score sheet when their lively forward coolly slotted past the out rushing Padraig.

Overall it was a brilliant performance from all of The Ton boys and an example of what can be achieved when everyone works as a team and tries their very best. Hard work and unity. It’s simple really.

As for Leicester, in what is their first ever season playing u11s district football, they will continue to grow and impress all who watch them with their desire to play football that entertains and enthrals their followers. They are a great addition to the Midlands schools’ football scene and long may it continue!

Well done lads!