Saturday 15th June 2019 @ Liverpool FC
English Schools’ FA Premier League 9-a-side National Final
Team: Danny, Ethan, Elijah, Kyran, Jeval, Romaeo, Kian, Toby, Daniel, Callam, Tavani and Markie
Group Stage:
D 0-0 Chelmsford and East Essex
W 1-0 Plymouth ( Romaeo)
W 1-0 Sunderland (Markie)
Semi-final:
L 1-0 Liverpool
Third Place Play-off:
D 0-0 Chelmsford and East Essex
r grip
Man of the Tournament: Tavani – One assist and a bag of tricks down the wing!
Our form in the lead up to the Nationals had left everyone feeling a little pessimistic as we travelled north to the home of the newly crowned champions of Europe. Yet we needn’t had worried! Not one bit!
The opening game of the day saw us do everything but score, as the lads peppered the Chelmsford goal from all angles. Yet despite our promising start, the game will be remembered for the nonsensical sending off of captain Toby.
With our skipper watching from the stand, we rolled up our sleeves and earned our first win of the day, beating Plymouth 1-0 thanks to a superb Romaeo strike from distance. The tempo of the game was dictated by the superb Tavani who brilliantly filled the big gap left in Toby’s absence.
We found ourselves in a strong position after two games, only to strengthen our grip at the top of the table with another excellent performance, this time against Sunderland. A weaving Tavani run down the right saw him evade the challenge of four Mackems, before his pinpoint cross was superbly finished by Markie – his 61st goal of the season.
Having qualified from the group unbeaten and with three clean sheets, the lads found themselves up against tournament favourites Liverpool. In a repeat of our 2016 national final quarter final game, the boys matched their northern peers blow for blow. Yet despite their best efforts, they conceded midway through the game after a great passing move from the boys in red. Not to be deterred, the boys countered and had a chance of their own that was brilliantly saved by the Liverpool keeper who was quick to sprint off his line.
That left a third place play-off. With their spirits dented, the lads picked themselves up and threw every last ounce of energy at Chelmsford. Their efforts were rewarded with a third place finish and their fourth clean sheet in five games.
Third in the country. Wow! What an amazing achievement!
The boys from Erdington and Saltley did good!
Well done boys!
Up The Ton!
Erdington and Saltley Primary Schools' FA 