Saturday 15th August 2020 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale
Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA Cup Final
Team: Danny, Reo, Kortney, Joshua, Lennon, Markie, Keon, Jason, Chase, Kayden
Man of the Match: Markie – 7 goals to make it 96 for the season!
Erdington and Saltley 4-0 South Birmingham
Goals: Markie x 4
Erdington and Saltley 4-0 Aston
Goals: Markie x 3 and Kayden
Erdington and Saltley under 10s W-L Sutton Town u10s
Team: Jack, Benji, Yaw, Rion, Leeson, Younussa, Omari, Kyle, Rhys, Andrius, Kian, Mahliq, Tobi and Uzi
Goals: Andrius x 4, Kian x 2, Rhys x 2, Younussa x 2, Kyle x 3 and Uzi
Man of the Match: Andrius
COVID19 prolonged the season deep into the summer months, normally reserved for cricket. So good have the boys of 2019/20 been that we simply couldn’t let things end with lockdown. Therefore, the Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA Cup, normally played at the start of May, was contested in mid-August in a three-way round robin format.
In our opening game, the boys started a little nervy, which was to be expected having not played as a team for five months! Around the half-way point in the opening game, Markie thundered a low drive in off the post to settle the nerves and spur his team to move up a gear. From this point on, the boys bossed the game, restricting South to a few counter attacks, albeit dangerous ones.
With Chase marshaling the line superbly and holding the ball up for his midfield, the dangerous foursome of Lennon, Keon, Jason and Markie were able to build wave, after wave of excellent attacks.
A further three goals from Markie meant we went into the Aston game knowing a win would clinch us the prestigious Chris Smith Cup.
With Markie in intimidating form, the boys settled their nerves quickly as our talismanic captain side footed home followed some excellent work from his midfield peers. Shortly after Markie wrapped up his hat-trick, Kayden cut in from the right wing and took the ball away from his marker following a deft touch, before slotting the ball past the onrushing keeper.
A second 4-0 victory meant the boys lift the BPSFA Cup for the third time since 2016. As well as making it five trophies for the season, they also banished the ghosts of the 2019 final when we were soundly beaten by South Birmingham, with Lennon, Markie, Danny and Ethan playing that day.
The above would suggest the morning was all about the attackers, but two clean sheets was testament to the resolute work of Danny, Reo, Kortney and Joshua, the latter two who were playing out of position. Clean sheets have not always been easy to come by this season, so to get a pair of them in one morning is something to be very pleased with!
So the season that was cut short by an international pandemic finally came to a close. Overall, despite the obvious disappointment of missing out on the next round of the nationals and the West Midlands County Cup final, the boys have had an outrageously brilliant season. A few of the highlights include:
- Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League winners
- Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA Cup winners
- Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA 7-a-side winners
- West Midlands County Schools’ FA 7-a-side winners
- Midlands Challenge Cup winners
- Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA Futsal runners-up
- 22 9-a-side games played, 21 wins
- Markie Meade scored 96 goals to add to the 62 he scored during 2018/19 (159 goals in total)
- Ethan Mee became the record appearance maker for The Ton after racking up 69 games across three seasons
- Danny, Ethan, Hughey, Joshua, Kayden and Markie represented Birmingham after being picked for the city team to play Leeds
The final word regarding this team has to be in praise of their attitude and the support given by the parents. On and off the pitch, it has been a dream this season. Supremely talented, with a desire to win and an incredible attitude, these boys will go far!
Thank you lads. It has been our pleasure!
Up The Ton!
Erdington and Saltley Primary Schools' FA 