The following players (listed according to the date they trialled) have been called back to the third round on Saturday 18th June:

Year 3 Boys

Cameron Saleh

Charlie MacMillan

Christopher-Diaz Pavlovkin-Douglas

Kennie Dyer

Khalil Jacques-King

Max Larkin

Romario Kalsi

Year 4 Boys

Baylee-Rae Jenkins

Brendan Boxwell

Hayden Hodgetts

Jacob Pointon

Jacob Vernalls

Max Rendall

Niall Kelly

Owen Weir

Reuben Wilkins

Valentino-Sebastian Pavlovkin-Douglas

Year 5 Boys

Ellis – St. Barnabas
Jack – Brownmead
Jeph – Short Heath
Lewis – St. Margaret Mary
Muhammed Yusuf – Thornton
Micah – Paget
Bobby – Abbey
Pharrell – SS. Mary and John
Hashim – Ward End
Ben – Oasis Short Heath
Ovander – Gunter
Frankie – Brookvake
Rio – Yenton
Mason – Paget
Ramone – Paget
Zaire – King Solomon
Otis – Abbey
Pjeter – Abbey
Eoin – Abbey

We appreciate that some players will understandably be left disappointed by the decision not to select them for the next round. However, the Erdington and Saltley coaches want to place on record their thanks and praise for all of the boys as they were a credit to their school and community. The decision about who to select from each trial is not one that coaches enjoy making as it inevitably leaves many boys disappointed.

We wish you the very best for the future and the 2022/23 season.

Saturday 21st May 2022 @ Castle Vale Stadium

Birmingham Primary Schools FA – Division One Cup Final

Erdington and Saltley 3-2 Harborne

Team: Remi, Rio, Pharrell, Bobby, Shae, Oliver, Ovander, Matharr, Frankie, Andrius, Yassin, Endri, Zacchaeus, Cairo and Remell

Goals: Ovander x 2 and Mathaar

The end of a highly enjoyable season was brought to an end as the boys lifted the Division One Cup to go with the Division One league title they claimed earlier in the season. From the very start of the season, the boys have been an absolute pleasure to coach. They’ve been a joy to work with and one of the best teams we’ve ever had in terms of unity and team spirit.

The game started with The Ton on the front foot and putting Harborne under great pressure. After 15 minutes of attacking gusto, the boys were rewarded when they took the lead through Ovander. A second goal followed soon after via Matharr.

The opening half of the game was characterised by the boys’ high energy and tenacious play. They were fired up from the outset, knowing Harborne were a quality side after two barnstorming encounters in the league.

Just as they did in our last encounter, Harborne through everything at us in reply, only to slip three goals behind when Ovander bagged his second of the game. Yet still they attacked us in great numbers. To their immense credit, Harborne had us in thr ropes during the last 20 minutes of the game and reduced the deficit to a single goal. However, the boys defended with their lives and thanks to some great tackles and a stunning Remi save, they saw the game out to lift the crown.

What a team! What a brilliant bunch of lads and parents. It’s been a blast!w

Well done lads!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 26th February 2022 @ Burntwood Leisure Centre, Chase Town

South Staffordshire 2 – 6 Erdington and Saltley

Goals: Zaire x 3, Shay, Endri and Hashim

Man of the Match: Zaire – Hat trick hero

Saturday 5th March 2022 @ Castle Vale Stadium

South Birmingham 3 – 4 Erdington and Saltley

Goals: Andrius x 2, Mathaar and Ovander

Man of the Match: Pharrell – midfield destroyer

Saturday 19th March 2022 @ Castle Vale Stadium

Erdington and Saltley 8 – 0 East Birmingham

Goals: Mathaar x 3, Frankie, Remell, Shay, Endri and Pharrell

Man of the Match: Mathaar the hat trick king!

Saturday 26th March 2022 @ Longlevens Primary School, Gloucester

Gloucester 4 – 0 Erdington and Saltley

Saturday 2nd April 2022 @ Castle Vale Stadium

Sutton Coldfield 1 – 1 Erdington and Saltley

Goals: Andrius

Other than a very bad morning in Gloucester, the boys continued their fine form throughout March and April. With great performances against Premier Division teams Sutton Coldfield and South Birmingham, the boys found the back of the net on a frequent basis. With an important win against East Birmingham in the quarter final of the West Midlands County Schools’ FA, they also claimed an excellent win against South Staffordshire.

Against Gloucester, we were not at the races and were punished by a side who fully deserved their victory. However, we can count on one hand the number of times the boys have failed to fulfill their potential this season. They have been brilliant and a joy to coach.

As we enter the business end of the season, there are still three cups up for grabs. As long as the boys continue to give their all for the team, we can ask for nothing more.

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 22nd January 2022 @ Vale Stadium

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League

Erdington and Saltley 9-2 East Birmingham

Scorers: Matharr x 3, Ovander x 2, Frankie, Oliver, Zak and Hashim

Man of the Match: Matharr

Saturday 5th February 2022 @ Vale Stadium

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League

Erdington and Saltley 8-1 North Shropshire

Scorers: Rio x 3, Endri x 2, Matharr x 2 and Andrius

Man of the Match: Rio

Saturday 19th February 2022 @ Vale Stadium

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League

Erdington and Saltley 4-2 Harborne

Scorers:

Matharr x 2, Frankie and Andrius

Man of the Match Andrius

After a break from league action during the darkest winter months, the boys returned to the bread and butter of the First Division with a bang at the start of 2022! A trio of stunning performances, a flurry of goals and a couple of hat-tricks saw the boys stretch out of sight at the top of the Division One table.

Against East Birmingham, the boys weathered early pressure from the East boys, whose confident passing caused us problems in the opening stages of the game, before clicking into gear and scoring a trio of goals in a quick-fire first-half flurry. The game was notable for a stunning Oliver goal, after the marauding centre-back galloped up the pitch and unleashed a thunderous shot from long distance.

Two weeks later, the boys locked horns with North Shropshire, and again, they found themselves in the goals! This time, it was the turn of the centre midfield to boss proceedings, after the danger came from out wide two weeks previously courtesy of Ovander and Matharr. This time round, Rio bagged himself his first Ton hat-trick, while scheming partner Frankie continued his fine form. There was also a welcomed return to action for Andrius, whose weaving runs from wide-right had the fans on their feet throughout.

With the title secured, the boys squared up with Harborne in a barnstorming encounter. After racing into a three-goal lead, they were forced onto the ropes for large parts of the second period as Harborne stormed back into the match. With the score 3-2 to The Ton and very much in the balance, Matharr smashed home a late penalty to enable the boys to relax and enjoy the closing moments.

We have said it many times before, but this group of boys are an absolute pleasure to work with. They are a credit to their schools, the district and themselves. They have had to dig deep at times this season, and picked up three points in at least three games thanks to last minute goals. This is testament to their spirit and attitude.

Well done boys!

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA First Division Champions

Up The Ton!

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!

ESPSFA Trophy

Wednesday 24^th November 2021 @ Yardley Fives

PAGET STORM TO TROPHY GLORY!

It was just a week shy of two years since the last piece of silverware was presented in the ESPSFA and that was the Trophy – won by Hillstone – and so after a Covid-ridden hiatus of 728 days, the ESPSFA Trophy was disputed once again, and it was a memorable night especially for Paget.

Fourteen schools assembled at Yardley 5’s football centre and were placed into four groups, the winners and runners-up in each, qualifying for the quarter finals.

Group A saw Paget ease through with three wins from their three games and Harper Bell pipping Heathlands to a last eight berth courtesy of their 3-1 win over the purples from the Heathway.

The one group that contained just three teams, Group B, saw Yardley and Mapledene emerge as winners and runners-up respectively with a valiant Blakenhale just falling short in progressing.

In Group C, it was a surprise to see Short Heath exit at this stage as their league form suggested they would be one of the pre-tournament favourites, but Timberley (winners) and Thornton, emerged from a tight top three to seal qualifying spots.

The final group witnessed an impressive Lea Forest who secured maximum points in fine style, whilst Hillstone nudged out Abbey to grab that second quarter final place.

And so to the last eight: Paget continued their terrific group form with a 2-0 win over a battling Mapledene side whilst Yardley needed a last-gasp equaliser against Thornton whom they subsequently eliminated on penalties to earn themselves a semi-final clash with Lea Forest, felled Harper Bell. The semi-final make up was completed by Hillstone who defeated Timberley in a Shard End derby, to set up a last-four clash with Paget.

The semi-finals were both keenly contested and won by the slenderest of margins by Paget, 2-1 winners against Hillstone, whose goalkeeper made a plethora of fine saves, and Lea Forest, who triumphed after a tense penalty shoot-out with Yardley.

As a spectacle, the final didn’t disappoint. In a pulsating encounter in which both sides went toe-to-toe with no quarter being ceded, it was Paget who emerged victorious. Paget opened the scoring with a superb half-volleyed finish, taken on the run, but they were pegged back following a smart slotted effort from the Forest. With the spectre of penalties looming large, a rash challenge presented Paget with a free-kick six or so yards from goal and from that came the game’s winner, a sharp shot that veered into the far corner and a goal which secured Paget’s first trophy win for many a year.

It was wonderful to be back playing tournament football again and each and every school can be proud of the efforts of their children who represented them with pride, passion and total commitment. Well done to Paget on their win and to all who took part and here’s to more memorable nights like tonight.

Saturday 13th November, 2021 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

League Match

Aston 1 – 3 Erdington and Saltley

Team: Jack, Cairo, Oliver, Shae, Pharrell, Ovander, Rio, Mathaar, Endri, Zacchaeus, Yassin and Ben

Goals: Mathaar x 3

Man of the Match: Ovander – dragged the team forward kicking and screaming

With 58 minutes played, Aston were leading 1-0. Two minutes later, as the ref’s whistle echoed around Vale Stadium, The Ton boys celebrated a remarkable 3-1 victory. Football is cruel and the Aston boys deserved so much more. However, the Erdington and Saltley boys showed great spirit and fight to continue going until the final whistle, just as they had done earlier in the season against East Birmingham.

The first half saw Aston take an early lead following a defensive mix-up in the Erdington back line. That set the tine for what was an uncharacteristically below par performance from the boys. Aston were hungrier and first to every ball. We simply could not get going in the opening period and the boys from B7 dominated proceedings.

Following the half-time break, a few changes were made, most notably with Rio slotting into the heart of defence and Cairo stepping up into centre midfield. While these changes brought stability to proceedings, we still couldn’t find that all important spark.

With time ticking, we laid siege on the Aston goal, only to find our shooting boots awry and the woodwork impenetrable. But then it all changed. Then Mathaar stepped up to take a free kick wide on the right. At that point, there was two minutes left on the clock. Boom! A thunderous left-footed strike flew past the Aston keeper and into the top right of the net. Pandemonium.

We then profited from a piece of Aston misfortune as the game turned on its head. As Mathaar’s equalising shot rocketed past the Aston keeper, he took a blow to the head and had to sit out the final two minutes. Spurred on by the goal, the boys went for the win. Immediately from the Aston kick off, Ovander regained possession, as he had done on countless occasions all game, and burst forward. With the stand-in Aston keeper closing down the angle, Mathaar managed to round him to slot the ball away. More pandemonium. Then with the final kick of the game, Mathaar claimed his first hat-trick of the season with a stinging strike from the left of the Aston area to make it 3-1 to The Ton.

While Aston did not deserve to lose and were by far the better team for most of the game, we showed a brilliant spirit as illustrated by the joyful scenes that greeted each Ton goal. These boys are made of stern stuff. They are real friends. They’re a proper team.

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 6th November, 2021 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

Under 11s League – Division One

Erdington and Saltley u11s 2 – 1 North Shropshire

Team: Jack, Oliver, Shae, Frankie, Rio, Mathaar, Yassin, Zacchaeus, Endri, Remell, Ben and Hashim

Goals: Mathaar x 2

Man of the Match: Mathaar – changed the game after moving up front

In the shadow of Vale Stadium, the under 11s took on North Shropshire in a re-arranged league game on the Castle Vale grass pitch.

Prior to kick off, both teams agreed to play ten players in light of the huge pitch! However, we forgot to put ten men on the pitch and played the first period with one less player than North Shropshire! Luckily we entered half-time all square at 0-0. The goalless scoreline does not tell the full story, with both sides going close to breaking the deadlock several occasions during the first thirty minutes. Erdington threatened from set pieces, while Jack pulled off a great save to tip a blistering North Shropshire shot onto the post.

At half-time, we realised we had been playing with one less player and quickly rectified the problem being as tactically astute as we are! The change paid dividends when Mathaar burst through the North Shropshire defence to give The Ton the lead. For the next ten minutes, the boys went in search of a second goal and with it, the game. However, North Shropshire equalised when we failed to clear our lines from a corner.

The spirit within this camp is brilliant and the boys did not let the North Shropshire goal break their spirits. Three minutes after conceding, the boys retook the lead when Mathaar bagged his first brace of the season, and fourth goal of the league campaign. He almost made it three but fired marginally over from a tight angle.

After both goals, the boys embraced each other in a way that illustrates their brilliant bond. Throughout the game, each player gave their all for the good of the team. Time and time again, a Ton player jumped in front of a shot, took one for the team and burst a lung in an attempt to stop an attack. They were simply brilliant!

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!