Saturday 20th November, 2021 @ Tudor Grange Academy
Erdington 3-4 Wirral
Saturday 11th December, 2021 @ Castle Vale Stadium
West Midlands County Schools’ FA 7-a-side
Semi-final
Saturday 8th January, 2022 @ Castle Vale Stadium
Daniel Sturridge Cup
Plate runners-up
Well, it’s been a while since the last match report was updated. In that time, Villa have signed a Brazilian superstar, Christmas has been and gone, and Boris Johnson has worked extremely hard at throwing the odd office party, here and there.
On the pitch, we battled it out with scousers (I think they’re classed as that) Wirral and lost by the odd goal in a seven-goal thriller. The goal of the game coming via a rasping Pharrell strike from outside of the area. Yet despite the loss, the brilliant team spirit was once again evident. As the boys attempted to stage a comeback from 4-1 down, they huddled in the middle of the pitch to spur each other on. Their emotive battle cry almost did the trick but despite their best efforts, they failed to find the equaliser their swashbuckling play deserved.
In December and early January, the boys stopped playing 9-a-side and concentrated on the smaller format of the beautiful game – 7-a-side. With goals aplenty (10 in total for Mathaar alone), excitement in the bucket load and unrivaled drama, the boys went agonisingly close in both the West Midlands County Schools’ FA 7-a-side and the BPSFA Daniel Sturridge Cup. On another day, they could have made the final of both, and who knows, even more. However, it was South Birmingham who deservedly lifted both cups, thanks in no short part to their obvious talent but also due to their ability to grind out results and play as a cohesive unit throughout each morning. We lacked consistency at times, but the potential was obvious for all to see, with the A-team consisting of six under 10s, in what were under 11 tournaments.
A special mention must go to our B-team, who excelled in both 7-a-side tournaments and genuinely made people sit up and take note of their football. Despite being up against it, they battled their way to the semi-final of the WMCSFA 7-a-side, winning a dramatic penalty shootout in the quarter-finals, only to succumb to eventual winners South Birmingham in the last four. Despite the loss, they were absolutely incredible and a joy to watch.
The latter weeks of January see us return to 9-a-side league action as we attempt to lift the first division title and cap what has been a very encouraging season for our young bucks!
Well done boys!
Up The Ton!
Erdington and Saltley Primary Schools' FA 