Saturday 24th November 2018 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

Aston A 7-3 Erdington and Saltley Gold

Team: Jude, Ethan, Wiktor, Hughey, Oscar, Elijah, Lennon, Gonzalo, Joshua, Keon, Kayden and Kyran

Goals: Joshua x 2 and Gonzalo

Man of the Match: Lennon – on a day when Joshua was terrifying, Gonzalo a menace, Keon spell-binding and Ethan ferocious in defence, Lennon picked up the award for a performance full of tenacity and drive. This was epitomised by a 30 second spell where he won the ball in centre mid courtesy of a crunching sliding tackle, before sprinting back to prevent a goal by heading the ball clear.

At the start of the season we sat down with the Gold team and talked about the season ahead. We discussed the fact that we would win some and lose some. The fact that the 3 or 4 year 6 boys in the squad had to lead from the front. We discussed the need for the younger players to be fearless against older opponents and just play their game.

As we approach Christmas, we can say with pride that the boys in gold have done exactly this and much more! Three wins from their opening three league games illustrated the talent within this superb team. There are no egos and no individuals – it is all about the team. Everything that each boy does is about the team. It’s so refreshing to see!

We started yesterday’s game brilliantly, pinging the ball around with confidence and purpose. Across the pitch, combinations of five and six passes enthralled the Ton Army who supported in great numbers once again. Causing mayhem from the left-hand side, Joshua was on fire, scoring our opening two goals of the game to twice give us the lead.

Each time we took the lead, Aston bounced back fantastically and showed a spirit to match our own.

As the middle period started, the game was finely balanced at two goals apiece. Unfortunately for The Ton, it was Aston who pushed on and exerted themselves over the course of this 20 minutes. There is no shame in that. Aston have threatened to show this type of form all season and yesterday was the day when everything fell into place for them and credit to them for that.

Starting for final third, it would have been easy and understandable if the boys had dropped their heads and counted down the minutes. However, these boys are made of stronger stuff than that. Despite being 7-2 down, the lads wanted to go for the win! They attacked Aston from every angle, bombarding their goal in huge numbers. While they pulled a goal through Gonzalo, they could easily have had another 2 or 3 had luck been on their side.

The final whistle was met with smiles and positive vibes. The boys gave it their all and played some brilliant football – arguably the best of the season. They could not have tried any harder – what more could we have asked for?

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 17th November 2018 @ Boldmere St. Michael’s FC

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA Autumn Cup

Team: Monia, Millie, Keeley, Rihanna, Savannah, Octavia, Latia and Rosie

Le’Jae, Ashante, Damilola, Tiana, Jessica, Megan, Millie W and Keira

In nippy temperatures and following a flood light failure, the girls picked up the baton from the boys, who were crowned West Midlands 7-a-side champions earlier in the day, and ran with it.

Both teams were superb all evening. The black team were tenacious in the tackle and strong in defence, conceding in only one of their games, while the gold team were sharp in front of goal, bagging 11 goals in their games.

Both teams did us proud. All of the girls were a credit to Erdington and Saltley.

With a little bit more luck, the black team would have bagged a few more goals, having matched everyone they squared up against throughout the evening. Yet despite battling courageously, they simply couldn’t get the ball over the line as many times as their play deserved.

The gold team finished the group stage unbeaten and in first place with two wins and a draw from their three matches. This set up a semi-final against a strong Kings Norton team. Despite labouring slightly in their final group game, the girls recapture their form and won the last-four tie 4-0.

This earned them a place in the final against a Sutton Coldfield side who had impressed all in attendance in their ascent to the showpiece game.

Despite falling behind to a Sutton goal, the first and only goal they conceded all evening, the girls bounced back and levelled the match. With both sides going for it with great gusto, there was simply no separating the two teams after extra-time. As is always the case with BPSFA competitions, this meant the title was shared – and rightly so.

The girls have started the season in superb form, winning two tournaments from two and also picking up great wins and super performances in a trio of representative games.

Well done girls!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 17th November 2018 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

West Midlands County Schools’ FA 7-a-side

Team: Danny, Daniel, Kian S, Toby, Tavani, Callam, Markie, Alfie and Ethan

Goals: Markie x 4, Callam x 4, Daniel x 2, Alfie and Toby

Man of the Match : Daniel – A colossal in defence and attack. However, this award could easily have gone to any of the lads, who were all amazing!

Way back in 2015 we came within a whisker of winning the West Midlands County Schools’ FA title. After winning all of our group games without conceding a goal, the national finalists of Sam, Kye, Kane, Troy, Rio et al cruised into the final with the wind in their sales. However, one defensive mix up led to them conceding their only goal of the tournament and despite their Herculean efforts at the other end of the pitch, they were unable to claim the prestigious title.

That was the closest we have ever been to lifting this trophy.

That was before yesterday.

Group Stage:

Erdington and Saltley 3-0 Wolverhampton

Brierley Hill and Dudley 0-3 Erdington and Saltley

Erdington and Saltley 2 – 0 Sutton Coldfield

Aston 0 – 1 Erdington and Saltley

Erdington and Saltley 0 – 0 South Birmingham

The boys started the morning like they meant business. The opening two games saw them full of energy, pace and effort. They pressed, harried and pressurised Wolves and Dudley, refusing to give them any time on the ball. Their monumental efforts were rewarded with six goals and two clean sheets. A great start.

With only one defender in the squad in the shape of Ethan, we were always going to have to play to our strengths and attack in numbers. However, along with the aforementioned Ethan, Cian S, Daniel and Toby were all formidable in defence. To keep five clean sheets in five group games is testament to their efforts. No matter who was in defence, they created a insurmountable wall in front of Danny, who performed admirably in his under 11s debut.

Against Sutton Coldfield the boys had to dig in deep, wary of not being caught on the break by the talented Sutton front line. After taking an early lead through the goal of the day, the boys continued to attack in numbers, determined to add to Callam’s first time finish in the top right hand corner.

Despite their attacking flair, the boys were almost caught on the counter when Sutton broke from a Ton corner. Sprinting back 30 yards to catch the cantering Sutton striker, Daniel somehow managed to slide in and poke the ball away as the striker prepared to release the trigger.

By the time of the fourth game against Aston, things had started to unravel a little. After taking another early lead, this time through a sublime Alfie strike, the boys lost their shape and rhythm a little – it was bound to happen at some stage in the morning. To their credit, the boys managed the game well and crossed the finish line, even if it wasn’t with the bombast of their opening three games.

Having already guaranteed a place in the final, the boys faced South Birmingham in their final group game. A 0-0 draw ensued, although it was only thanks to the brilliance of the South keeper who denied us on a couple of occasions.

The Final:

Erdington and Saltley 5-1 South Birmingham

Rejuvenated and pumped up, the lads were determined to make history by becoming the first Ton side ever to lift the West Midlands County Schools’ FA title.

The opening six minutes of the final was a show of the strength, pace and power demonstrated in the first two group games. Goals from Toby, Tavani and Callam gave the lads a 3-0 lead at half time and put them in a envious position entering the last half of football.

After extending their lead through Markie’s fourth goal of a superb tournament, the boys conceded their first goal of the day to a fine South Birmingham strike.

Despite this blow, The Ton reasserted their control almost immediately when Daniel raced up field to rifle a shot low and hard into the bottom right corner. Game over.

While the morning wasn’t without a couple of hiccups, it was undoubtedly the best we have played all season. We look forward to representing Birmingham and the West Midlands at the Midlands finals in 2019.

Well done too to South Birmingham who we faced for the second time in a final this season. While the two results might not have gone the way they would have hoped, they represented their schools and district with distinction and pride. Well done South.

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 11th November 2018@ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League

Erdington and Saltley Black 12 – 1 South Birmingham Red

Team: Jude, Rhys, Ethan, Cian S, Markie, Toby, Tavani, Callam and Cian L

Goals: Markie x 4, Toby x 3, Cian L x 2, Tavani x 2 and Callam

Man of the Match – Cian L: A selfless display full of effort and endeavour. The striker was superb at bringing his midfielders into play and was central to so many attacking moves.

As has happened on too many occasions this season, our squad was down to the bare bones. With nine players and no subs, the boys rolled up their sleeves and put in a huge shift to claim all three points against a young, talented South Birmingham Red side.

The opening third was a cagey affair, with neither team really getting into their rhythm, although much of that was due to South pressing us at every opportunity. Nevertheless, we ended the first period two goals to the good.

The second period saw South Birmingham step up their efforts and play with more aggression. We had less of the ball but suddenly found our shooting boots. Whereas chances were squandering in the opening twenty, they were dispatched with accuracy in the middle third. Our five goals in the second period were outshone by South who scored the goal of the third with a superb looping finish following a slick passing move.

Starting the final period with a 7-1 lead, the boys pushed forward in numbers, determined to finish in style. A further five goals gave the scoreline some gloss and ensured the boys started the weekend in style. South Reds deserve huge credit for the manner in which they continued to fight for their jersey and the excellent passing football they played throughout.

The boys were excellent all game and demonstrated their determination to improve on recent performances where individuals have chased glory at the expense of the team. Yesterday was much improved, with the boys playing more as a team and focusing their efforts on passing rather than shooting from all quarters of the pitch. If such improvements continue, we can only continue to soar.

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 10th November 2018 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League

East Birmingham 1 – 4 Erdington and Saltley Gold

Team: Danny, Wiktor, Hughey, Oscar, Sean, Elijah, Joshua, Kian C, Kyran, Kayden and Chase

Goals: Kyran x 3 and Kayden

Man of the Match: Kyran – it’s a tough one as a number of lads could make a claim for the accolade, including Elijah in midfield and Kayden on the wing. However it’s the hat-trick hero Kyran who takes the award this week.

After being beat 7-1 by Gloucester in their last competitive outing, the Gold team bounced back in style with an excellent team performance against East Birmingham. With four key players missing, the boys stepped up to the mark with a performance full of teamwork and unity.

Every player gave their all in a stunning example of the fine team spirit that’s been developed this season between the boys in gold. Not one player sought personal glory at the expense of the team. The good of the collective was prioritised ahead of individual pride.

After an even opening ten minutes, the lads used the pace of Kyran to their benefit by playing the Birches Green sharpshooter through on goal. After evading the challenge of the keeper, the striker slotted calmly past the keeper to give the boys a 1-0 lead at the close of the first twenty.

Kyran’s second goal wasn’t far behind, although this time it came from a sweet left footed strike rather than a one-on-one with the keeper. After watching his initial right footed strike bounce off the East defender, Kyran lashed the rebound in with his left peg to make it 2-0 to The Ton.

The ridiculously intelligent Kayden got in on the action after linking up superbly with Elijah and Joshua on a number of occasions. The diminutive midfielder played a series of superb balls throughout his 45 minutes of action. His goal was no less than he deserved and just rewards for arguably his best performance of the season to date.

With the boys in complete control of the game, East grabbed a goal to reduce the arrears, although the boys were honest enough to admit they could have done better to help Danny defend his clean sheet.

Not to be undone by the East strike, the boys regrouped to take a three goal lead once again in the final third of the game. Again the goal came from the inform Kyran, although is owed much to the excellent work of Sean and Kian who both carried the ball up the pitch before setting Kyran up for his hat-trick.

All over the pitch there were examples of just what we want from district footballers – commitment, pride, teamwork and enthusiasm.

Furthermore, both sets of players were the epitome of respect as they played the whole 60 minutes without questioning one decision or arguing amongst each other. They were perfect!

What a game!

What a great group of lads!

Well done lads!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 27th October 2018 @ Aston Villa Academy, Villa Park

Black Team: Le’Jae, Jessica, Millie W, Megan, Ashante, Tiana, Kaira and Rumaya

Gold Team: Monia, Kayla, Latia, Lacey, Millie, Keeley, Savannah and Rihanna

Black Team 5-1 Aston

Goals: Jessica x 2, Tiana, Kaira and Megan

Gold Team Won – Lost Aston

Goals: Latia x 6, Millie x 2, Lacey x 5, Savannah x 6, Keeley and Rihanna x 4

The Erdington and Saltley girls maintained their fine unbeaten opening to the 2018/19 season with a series of comprehensive performances against near neighbours Aston.

With goals being spread around the two teams, each performance was characterised by excellent spirit and work rate. The girls backed each other up throughout and ran themselves into the artificial ground of the Villa Academy.

Coaches Callam and Jordan were gushing with praise after the game, declaring the performance of both teams as “something to be incredibly proud of”.

Playing her first game for the district, Le’Jae picked up the baton from former captain and fellow Harper Bell baller Liberty with an excellent debut between the sticks for the Black team.

All in all, it was a brilliant afternoon of football and one that leaves us superbly placed as we enter the second half-term of the season!

Well done girls!

Up The Ton!

Thursday 1st November 2018 @ Hollyfields Club, Erdington

Erdington and Saltley u10s Gold 3 – 0 South Birmingham u10s

Erdington and Saltley u10s Black 1 – 1 South Birmingham u10s

Gold: Danny, Hughey, Oscar, Ethan, Markie, Lennon and Daniel

Black: Corey, Jahkadi, Cole, Jude, Jason, and Declan

Goals: Markie x 4, Declan, Lennon

The morning after Halloween was short of fright and full of bright hope for the future. With two teams taking to the field against South Birmingham, The Ton lads demonstrated the depth of talent in our 48 primary schools.

After falling behind to an early South Birmingham goal, the Black team showed their resilience and metal by bouncing back and levelling through Abbey midfielder Declan.

It was no less than their efforts deserved. Having started the game under pressure from South Birmingham, the boys dug in deep and showed an excellent range of passing and a tireless work ethic to grab a share of the spoils.

Hot on the heals of the boys in black, the Gold team raced into a one goal lead a minute into their encounter with South Birmingham when Gold midfielder Lennon smashed home from the penalty spot. Brimming with confidence after making an amazing start to the season, the Oval schemer slotted the ball into the side of the net to maintain his excellent record of a goal every two games.

His midfield partner in crime today was u10s captain Markie, who grabbed another four goals to make it a remarkable 30 from 11 games. This amazing run of form means the Hillstone pupil has now officially beat Kane Taylor’s u10s record, although he will have to go some way to beat the 65 goals scored by Mr Taylor during his u11s campaign in 2015/16.

While the morning was full of bright sparks – ranging from Oscar’s composed passing to Ethans super reading of the game and Danny’s superb handling – a special mention must go to u9s winger Jason. Growing in confidence as the game progressed, the St. Mary and John wing wizard caused problems for South Birmingham all game.

Overall it was a highly enjoyable morning of action and one that left all in attendance excited about the future of Erdington and Saltley.

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 27th October 2018 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

Erdington and Saltley B 4 – 5 Erdington and Saltley C

B Team: Danny, Ethan, Sean, Wiktor, Lennon, Elijah, Joshua, Romaeo and Gonzalo

Goals: Gonzalo x 3 and Romaeo

Man of the Match: Gonzalo

C Team: Jude, Hughey, Oscar, Rhys, Jeval, Kayden, Chase, Kian C and Kyran

Goals: Kyran x 3 and Jeval x 2

Man of the Match: Kyran

With no league game to usher in the half-term holidays, we decided to stage an in-house friendly for the Gold team and some members of the Black team. What a great decision this was!

From start to finish, the boys were excellent and put on a show for those in attendance! Determined to attack in numbers, both teams showed that the best form of defence is attack as they peppered each other’s goal continuously.

With a debut in the form of Elija, a birthday for Kyran and a pair of hat-ricks for the birthday boy and the Spanish sharp shooter Gonzalo – the game had everything!

Gonzalo made it five goals in his opening three games, adding a hat-trick to the goals scored against East Birmingham and Gloucester. Having already proven himself to be skilled in the art of bringing his teammates into play, Gonzalo demonstrated his excellence in the air with two bullet headers from a pair of corners.

Not to be outdone, Kyran used his blistering pace to match Gonzalo’s trio of goals, scoring a hat-trick of finishes having broken free from the B team defence each time.

The whole match was played in a brilliant spirit, something echoed by the referee who went on record to say how much he enjoyed officiating the battle.

Overall it was a fantastic morning of football and a great advert for the talent in Erdington and Saltley’s 48 primary schools!

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!