A Day of Mixed Fortunes Against Solihull

Saturday 4th November 2018 @ CTC Kingshurst Academy

West Midlands County Schools’ FA League

Solihull 1-0 Erdington and Saltley

Solihull u11s 2 – 4 Erdington and Saltley u10s

 

Teams and Scorers:

Under 11s: Tyrese (c), James, Louie, Mason, Aidan, Toby, Reece, Klechai, Oliver, Liam, Enoch and Jaiy

Under 10s: Padraig, Owen, Rhys, Callam, Tavani, Jeval, Romaoe

Scorers: Romaoe x 3 and Callam

 

Playing on adjacent pitches, the under 10s and under 11s experienced very different fortunes, following very different displays. While one team had a good day at the office, the other team didn’t quite reach their usual high standards. However, such is life! Some days are great. Some are good. Some we’d rather forget.

The under 11s started their game with the majority of possession, with Solihull camped in their half for the first 5-10 minutes. However while we had most of the ball, we never really threatened the Solihull goal and lacked the same spark that we’ve had in all of our previous games so far this season.

As the under 11s toiled away, the under 10s took a one goal lead thanks to a clinical finish from Romaoe. Starting out on the right, the sharp-shooting wing-wizard ran onto a Callam ball before slotting past the Solihull keeper. It was no less than they deserved after starting the game in the ascendancy.

The second third saw Toby come into centre midfield for the under 11s, ensuring our energy levels and work rate increased in the process. Chances came and went for The Ton, with the best falling to the feet of Toby, only for the Solihull keeper to pull of a great save when faced with Toby steaming in on him. Supporting the Solihull keeper was committed defence who made a number of brilliant last ditch tackles to protect their clean sheet.

Despite improving during the middle third, the under 11s were unable to find a way past the Solihull shot-stopped, a problem the under 10s did not have. Now leading 3-1, the younger of the two Ton teams were putting on a show for all in attendance. With Romaoe making it a brace for the day, it was left to Callam to momentarily steal the limelight from his teammates with a stunning goal from the half-way line.

Determined not to be outdone by his opposite number one, Tyrese pulled off a number of brilliant saves for the under 11s. First saving a close range shot from a Solihull cross that seemed destined to nestle in the corner of the net and then tipping a lob onto the cross bar to draw gasps of amazement from the stunned crowd. Yet despite doing his very best to keep his team in the game, he had to pick the ball out of his net with ten minutes to go when his Blues teammate Luke rifled the ball past him to give Solihull the lead.

With the clock ticking down, Padraig made a brilliant save on his goal line to maintain the under 10s 3-1 lead and in the process setting the stage for Romaoe to bag his first hat-trick of the district season. Throughout the side, all of the boys battled their hearts out against a team of under 11s district players to leave CTC with a memorable victory. For all of Jeval’s attacking flair, Tavani’s wing wizardry and the clinical finishing of Callam and Romaoe, Rhys, Owen and Padriag should be commended for their determined defending. It really was a team effort.

In the closing minutes of the under 11s game we had two chances to level but once again found the Solihull keeper a stubborn opponent and one who we just couldn’t get past. Ah well. There will be days like this. That much is inevitable in football. The key now is how we bounce back against Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands County Schools’ FA Cup. I for one can’t wait for next week so we can put the lessons learned yesterday into practice!

Well done boys!

Man of the Match:

Tyrese – our captain led by example, pulling off a number of amazing saves.

Romaoe – a hat-trick against older opponents.

 

Up The Ton!

Under 10s Put Three Past Gloucester

Erdington and Saltley u10s 3-1 Gloucester u10s @ Hollyfields Club, Erdington

M5 Under 10s League

Team: Alfie, Cian L, Callam, Daniel, Ethan, Owen, Rhys, Tavani, Toby, Tre’vaun, Micah, Joshua, Rob and Chris

Goals: Cian L, Toby and Callam

 

So I hold my hands up and admit it. I obviously thought we were playing 11 a side, hence the size of the squad. Yet despite my best efforts to confuse all of the boys with a raft of seemingly never-ending changes, the boys hung on in there and coped admirably!

This was a performance of great skill and strength. The boys were strong in the tackle and committed in all battles. Refusing to give up on any ball, the boys ran themselves into the ground and gave it everything that they had.

The opening fifteen saw us camped in the Gloucester half, with our stand-in keeper Callam failing to touch the ball, despite the fact that he was desperate to be called into action! However despite our early control, we couldn’t find a way past the outstanding Gloucester keeper. who repelled everything that we threw his way.

With Cian’s opening goal to show for our early dominance, the boys pushed on, determined to extend their lead during the second quarter. Played through on goal by Joshua, Callam sprinted clear of the Gloucester defender and fired low into the bottom right hand corner to add to the five goals that he scored for the u11s on Saturday.

The changes were now coming thick and fast and this brought with it changes for the boys to cope with. However to their credit they managed to maintain their shape and pushed on for a third goal. Similarly to the girls, the Gloucester boys refused to drop their heads and bounced back after pouncing on our failure to clear our lines. The rampaging Gloucester forward, who was a handful all afternoon, bagged the goal that his constant probing deserved.

As the third quarter wore on, Toby burst into the box to score from a narrow angle and put the game to bed for once and all. Shortly before the goal, the front three of Cian, Alfie and Toby were starting to link up with growing fluidity and confidence.

In defence, Daniel showed us all what we had been missing during his six week absence from the district, with a towering performance ably supported by the growing influence of u9s Ethan. A couple of weeks ago against Afan Nedd our defending was all at sea for large parts of the game. Yet today it was excellent. Strong, committed and composed. The onlooking 2015/16 defensive linchpin Sam was very impressed indeed!

While on that note, it was great to see district players from yesteryear present at the game to offer their support to the next generation of Ton stars!

This victory means the under 10s league table is as follows:

District Played Won Drew Lost For Against Diff Points
Erdington and Saltley 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 3*
Gloucester 2 1 0 1 5 3 2 3
Sutton Coldfield 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bath and Wiltshire 1 0 0 1 2 4 -2 0
*Head to head
Bath Erd & Sal Glou Sutt
Bath and Wiltshire x
Erdington and Saltley x 3~1
Gloucester 4~2 x
Sutton Coldfield x

 

We can’t wait to travel to Gloucester for the reverse fixture in April, in what promises to be a cracking game if today’s encounter is anything to go by! Thank you Gloucester for a fantastic battle!

Well done lads!

Up The Ton!

Ton Girls Make History

Monday 23rd October 2017 @ Hollyfields Club, Erdington

Erdington and Saltley B 0 – 4 Gloucester (Midlands Cup)

Olivia, Remi, Taija, Jervaigh, Kayla, Tiana, Jenny, Mary, Jessica and Ilaigh

Girl of the Match: Jervaigh – a debut full of strength, passion and determination. Jervaigh was at the centre of everything her team did!

 

Erdington and Saltley A 3 – 1 Gloucester (Representative Match)

Millie, Lacy, Sami, Liberty, Savannah, Rihanna, Latia, Octavia and Jervaigh

Girl of the Match: Liberty – a brace of goals topped off a fine performance in which she pulled the strings throughout the game.

Goals: Liberty x 2 and Lacy

 

In a busy day at Hollyfields, the girls took centre stage for the first two games of the Erdington-Gloucester trilogy. The first game saw the Erdington and Saltley gold team lock horns with a talented Gloucester side, packed full of superb finishers.

With Jervaigh slotting into the team to make her debut, it soon became apparent that she was more than at home on the district scene! Using her strength and dribbling ability, Jervaigh stormed through the centre of the Gloucester side, only to send her shot into the arms of the Gloucester keeper. Time and time again she broke forward with ease, exciting the onlooking crowd.

In attack, captain Tiana was a bundle of energy, leading her teammates into battle by setting a great example with her endless running. At the opposite end of the pitch, Olivia kept Gloucester at bay with several good saves, as Kayla shielded her goal bravely and resolutely.

Despite our best efforts, we ended the first half three goals down and with a lot of work to do. However these girls are made of strong stuff and they never give up. Consequently the second half brought with it a better defensive display and more energy from all of the girls. It was brilliant to see.

From Jenny to Mary, Olivia to debutante Ilaigh, all of the girls did us proud and have no reason to be down after being knocked out of the Midlands Cup. They will bounce back and come back even stronger!

 

Next up was the black Erdington and Saltley team, who looked to level things up by defeating Gloucester for the first time in our history. Within minutes of the game starting, captain Liberty calmly slotted away after linking up brilliantly with Savannah and Latia. The Ton lead was soon doubled with a goal once again coming from the Erdington and Saltley midfield. Cutting in from the left, Lacy made a run into the box before latching onto a Liberty pass and firing past the keeper.

With Gloucester seemingly on the ropes and two goals down, their sharp-shooting striker ran behind The Ton defence and onto a long defensive clearance. With Millie bearing down on her, she finished with aplomb to halve the deficit.

The second half saw more Ton pressure and a re-establishing of our two goal lead. Weaving in and out of the Gloucester defenders, Liberty poked the ball past the Gloucester number one to put her team in command of the tie once again.

At this stage the girls were passing the ball around beautifully and were a joy to watch. Each one of the girls was energetic out of possession and exciting in possession. The confidence was there for all to see. Yet this Gloucester side don’t know when they beaten and they capitalised once again on a Ton error to score their second of the game and make the closing minutes nervy for all in black.

The final whistle brought with it a small piece of history – our first ever victory over Gloucester girls.

Well done to all of the girls involved with today’s games. Both Gloucester and Erdington and Saltley should be incredibly proud of the footballing masterclass that they put on for us all today!

Good luck in your cup semi-final Gloucester and see you soon.

Well done girls! Our great season continues to roll on!

 

Up The Ton!

 

League Tables and Results – Saturday 21st October 2017

Results:

Gloucester 3 – 0 Aston

Leicester 1 – 12 Erdington and Saltley

West Midlands County Schools’ FA League 

District Played Won Drew Lost For Against Diff Points
Brierley Hill and Dudley 2 2 0 0 12 4 8 6
Sutton Coldfield 2 2 0 0 7 2 5 6
Erdington and Saltley 1 1 0 0 10 0 10 3
South Birmingham 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Harborne 1 0 0 1 3 5 -2 0
Wolverhampton 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 0
Solihull 2 0 0 2 2 11 -9 0
Aston 1 0 0 1 0 10 -10 0
Aston Dudley Erd & Sal Harborne Solihull South Sutton Wolves
Aston x x x x x x x x
Dudley * x x x x x x x
Erdington and Saltley 10~0 * x x x x x x
Harborne * 3~5 * x x x x x
Solihull * 1~7 * * x x x x
South Birmingham * * * * * x x x
Sutton Coldfield * * * * 4~1 * x x
Wolves * * * * * * 1~3 x

 

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League 

District Played Won Drew Lost For Against Diff Points
Erdington and Saltley 1 1 0 0 10 0 10 3
South Birmingham 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sutton Coldfield 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Harborne 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Aston 1 0 0 1 0 10 -10 0
Aston Erd & Sal Harborne South Sutton
Aston x x x x x
Erdington and Saltley 10~0 x x x x
Harborne * * x x x
South Birmingham * * * x x
Sutton Coldfield * * * * x

A dozen of the best

Saturday 21st October 2017 @ New College, Leicester

Leicester 1 – 12 Erdington and Saltley

Team: Padraig, Louie, Mason, Olly, Klechai, Jaiy, Enoch, Callam, Liam and Angelo

Goals: Callam x 5, Liam x 4, Jaiy x 2 and Klechai

Man of the Match: Olly – at the heart of every attacking move, whether he was at right back, right midfield or centre midfield.

With Storm Brian joining us for our first ever game against Leicester Schools, a blustery challenge faced us as we arrived in the East Midlands.

Once again our team had a very attack-minded feel to it, with a midfielder at centre back, a striker at left back and a left winger at right back! However the back three were superb from start to finish, ably supported by Padraig between the sticks. The opening fifteen minutes saw The Ton pile forward and pepper the Leicester goal with shots, but it was the defence who invariably started each attack. Composed in possession, the defence were always available to the midfield, who were never afraid to use them when under pressure from the Leicester boys. With Jaiy sitting in midfield and dictating play, the opening exchanges were as good as we’ve played all season. While the goals did not come immediately, our ability to retain possession and play around the pitch was a joy to see.

As the first third wore on, we managed to make our superior possession count, as well as the helping hand we were afforded from the aforementioned Storm Brian. Our first goal was very lucky but the least we deserved. An in-swinging  Liam corner evaded the out-stretched arm of the Blues keeper thanks in no small part to Brian! Liam recently hasn’t had the luck his effort has deserved so he thankfully accepted the support on offer by Big Bry!

A further three goals came and meant we ended the first third four goals to the good.

As the ferocity of the gales increased and Tonn battled to hold onto his hat, the boys switched ends and charged head-on into the best that Brian and Leicester had to offer. This was undoubtedly our best period of the game as our unrelenting pressure came to fruition with a number of quality individual and team goals coming our way. Pleasingly the boys continued to play as a team and avoided the temptation to go for personal glory.

Liam completed his hat trick, although we won’t mention the one that he “cleared” over the empty net! Likewise, u10s Callam bagged a hat-trick of his own and almost made it a double hat-trick as he continuously cut in from the left wing to bear down on the Leicester net.

All over the pitch we had boys who were prepared to work their socks off and brave in possession. The first two thirds were brilliant for the boys in black, although to their enormous credit, Leicester came back into the game during the final third. Refusing to give up, the East Midlanders got on the score sheet when their lively forward coolly slotted past the out rushing Padraig.

Overall it was a brilliant performance from all of The Ton boys and an example of what can be achieved when everyone works as a team and tries their very best. Hard work and unity. It’s simple really.

As for Leicester, in what is their first ever season playing u11s district football, they will continue to grow and impress all who watch them with their desire to play football that entertains and enthrals their followers. They are a great addition to the Midlands schools’ football scene and long may it continue!

Well done lads!

Up The Ton!

Results and Tables

Saturday 14th October 2014

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League 

District Played Won Drew Lost For Against Diff Points
Erdington and Saltley 1 1 0 0 10 0 10 3
South Birmingham 1 1 0 0 7 1 6 3
Sutton Coldfield 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Harborne 1 0 0 1 1 7 -6 0
Aston 1 0 0 1 0 10 -10 0
Aston Erd & Sal Harborne South Sutton
Aston x x x x x
Erdington and Saltley 10~0 x x x x
Harborne * * x x x
South Birmingham * * 7~1 x x
Sutton Coldfield * * * * x

 

West Midlands County Schools’ FA League 

Sutton Coldfield 3-1 Wolverhampton

Harborne 3 – 5 Dudley

South Birmingham 8 – 1 Solihull

 

District Played Won Drew Lost For Against Diff Points
South Birmingham 3 3 0 0 23 6 17 9
Brierley Hill and Dudley 2 2 0 0 12 4 8 6
Sutton Coldfield 2 2 0 0 7 2 5 6
Erdington and Saltley 1 1 0 0 10 0 10 3
Harborne 2 0 0 2 4 12 -8 0
Wolverhampton 2 0 0 2 5 11 -6 0
Aston 1 0 0 1 0 10 -10 0
Solihull 3 0 0 3 3 19 -16 0
Aston Dudley Erd & Sal Harborne Solihull South Sutton Wolves
Aston x x x x x x x x
Dudley * x x x x x x x
Erdington and Saltley 10~0 * x x x x x x
Harborne * 3~5 * x x x x x
Solihull * 1~7 * * x x x x
South Birmingham * * * 7~1 8~1 x x x
Sutton Coldfield * * * * 4~1 * x x
Wolves * * * * * 4~8 1~3 x

Cup Heartbreak for Ton Warriors

Saturday 14th October 2017 @ The Valley Academy, Stevenage

Shires Cup Round One

Stevenage 1 – 1 Erdington and Saltley (Stevenage win on pens after extra time)

 

Team: Tyrese, James, Mason, Louie, Toby, Klechai, Reece, Enoch, Alfie, Callam and Liam

Goal: Alfie

Man of the Match: James

 

This was a ‘proper’ cup clash. A game that had it all. Everything!

The opening half was all us. The Ton boys swarmed all over their southern peers. Overall it’s realistic to say we had over ten chances. Ten really good chances. We hit the woodwork, missed an open goal, were thwarted in a mammoth goal mouth scramble (I still don’t know how!) and undone by some great defending and superb keeping.

This recount of the first half is not just me being biased! The Stevange management said we should have been out of sight by the end of the first half.

Our play was fantastic. Out wide, Reece and Enoch were having lots of fun, as Klechai and Toby linked up brilliantly in the heart of midfield in their first ever game as a pairing. Up front, Alfie was playing intelligently with his back to goal, linking up with the midfield and bringing others into the action time and time again. The defence looked solid, if a little gung-ho! At times they pushed very high up the pitch but their desire not to get beaten meant they were able to get back in position and recover whenever Stevnage countered. With Tyrese being Tyrsese, we knew we were in safe hands.

Our constant pressure paid off when Alfie rifled into the roof of the net from a wide angle. A superb finish and the least he deserved for his first half showing.

We couldn’t have asked for more during the opening thirty minutes.

The second half started in a similar fashion. With a flowing attack down the left, we burst into the box and were awarded a penalty after our cross inadvertently hit the Stevenage defender on the arm. Unfortunately for The Ton, the Stevenage keeper pulled off a fantastic save to keep his team in it.

Then the tide changed.

From this point on we found ourselves all at sea as Stevenage applied huge amounts of pressure. Our shape became disjointed and play scrappy. Yet even during periods of relentless red pressure, we found the passion and desire to throw ourselves in front of crosses, dive into tackles and chase seemingly lost causes. In adversity came an opportunity to show our character. The boys stood up and were counted. They showed how much it mattered to them to represent their community.

After conceding midway through the second half to a super Stevenage lob, we found ourselves playing out ten minutes of extra time. With the ref preparing himself to blow his whistle for one final time to signal penalties, Alfie found himself in space after a sublime touch and turn on the left hand side of the box. Despite the tight angle, he fancied his chances and struck a shot with his left foot, only to see it fall agonisingly wide and nestle into the side netting.

Penalties.

Ten brave, tired boys stepped up to take a penalty in an attempt to fire their district into the next round of the Shires Cup. As always, it was a lottery and unfortunately for us we didn’t have the winning ticket.

Never have I felt so proud of a team in defeat. The boys were incredible and a credit to us all. They could not have done more. They were immense. True Warriors.

 

Well done Stevenage! You more than played your part in a classic! To bounce back in the second half in the way that you did is something to be rightly proud of. We wish you all the best in the next round of the cup!

 

As for The Ton…we will bounce back. We always do!

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

International games prove classics! 

Saturday 7th October 2017 @ Hollyfields Club, Erdington

Erdington and Saltley u10s 6-7 Afan Nedd u10s

Team: Danny, Che, Jeval, Romaoe, Jayden, Rhys, Alfie, Owen, Kayden, Ethan, Kamani, Jayden, Tavani and Joshua

Goals: Alfie x 2, Che, Ethan, Romaoe x 2

Erdington and Saltley u11s 2-1 Afan Nedd u10s

Padraig, Angelo, Che, Liam, Rhys, Jaiy, Alfie, Louie, Enoch, Mason, Harley, Oliver, Aidan and Klechai

Goals: Alfie x 2

Man of the Match – Louie

 

Goals. Goals. And more goals! There’s no other way to summarise the u10s game against Afan Nedd Schools. While we forgot how to defend as a team, we certainly knew how to attack! Some of our goals were majestic! From the individual brilliance of Alfie’s volley to the excellent team play that paved the way for Romaoe to score. Going forward we were brilliant!

A large squad supplemented with a number of trialists meant our play became a little disjointed at times but the game was packed full of positives. This group of boys could achieve great things for The Ton, especially as there were five or six lads missing yesterday.

Hot on the heals of the u10s goal fest came the u11s, who thankfully defended better, in no small part due to Louie who was amazing at the heart of our defence. Despite falling a goal behind within minutes of the game starting, the boys regrouped and bounced back to lead through two Alfie headers.

Throughout the game the boys demonstrated their ability to roll up their sleeves and also their adaptability, with a number of boys playing in unfamiliar positions.

Overall it was an amazing day of football, even if we never really got to grips with the no-offside rule, as requested by our Welsh friends. The standard of play was a great advert for schools football and another example of the talent in our community!

Thank you to Jas and the boys and parents of Afan Nedd. It was our pleasure to host and something that we look forward to repeating again in the near future.

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

League Tables and Results – Saturday 30th September 2017

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League

District Played Won Drew Lost For Against Diff Points
Erdington and Saltley 1 1 0 0 10 0 10 3
South Birmingham 1 1 0 0 7 1 6 3
Sutton Coldfield 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Harborne 1 0 0 1 1 7 -6 0
Aston 1 0 0 1 0 10 -10 0
Aston Erd & Sal Harborne South Sutton
Aston x x x x x
Erdington and Saltley 10~0 x x x x
Harborne * * x x x
South Birmingham * * 7~1 x x
Sutton Coldfield * * * * x

The BPSFA League will be decided by head-to-head should two teams finish atop of the table, tied on points.

 

West Midlands County Schools’ FA League

District Played Won Drew Lost For Against Diff Points
Erdington and Saltley 1 1 0 0 10 0 10 3
South Birmingham 1 1 0 0 7 1 6 3
Sutton Coldfield 1 1 0 0 4 1 3 3
Brierley Hill and Dudley 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wolverhampton 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Solihull 1 0 0 1 1 4 -3 0
Harborne 1 0 0 1 1 7 -6 0
Aston 1 0 0 1 0 10 -10 0
Aston Dudley Erd & Sal Harborne Solihull South Sutton Wolves
Aston x x x x x x x x
Dudley * x x x x x x x
Erdington and Saltley 10~0 * x x x x x x
Harborne * * * x x x x x
Solihull * * * * x x x x
South Birmingham * * * 7~1 * x x x
Sutton Coldfield * * * * 4~1 * x x
Wolves * * * * * * * x

Girls make history as they lift first ever title!

Saturday 30th September 2017 @ Heartlands Academy, Nechells

BPSFA 7-a-side Championship

A Team: Amne, Liberty (c), Sami, Rihanna, Savannah, Latia, Jessica, Lacy, Millie, Octavia

Results: Played 6 – Won 6- Conceded 0

Goals: Latia x 4, Liberty and Lacy

 

B Team: Amna, Jenny, Kayla, Olivia, Remi, Sophie, Taija, Tiana, Mary

Results: Played 5, Won 4, Drew 1 and Lost 1

Goals: Sophie, Taija

 

Saturday 30th September 2017. Remember the date!

This is our third season fielding a girls’ district side and for the first time in the history of Erdington and Saltley PSFA, we were crowned champions of the second city!

In awful conditions, the girls were a credit to their schools, families and district. In total, we played 11 games and conceded one goal, losing only one game. Not too shabby at all! Both teams won their group and both teams were merciless in defence, with that aforementioned goal the only one conceded all afternoon.

We have never won a BPSFA competition. We have never had two teams reach a final. We have never had a B team make it to the final of their respective competition. However history has now been made!

Some of the football played by the girls was a joy to watch and much of it drew compliments from opposition managers. This sets us up perfectly for what could be a great season should the girls, as I fully expect they will, continue to work hard and fight for their district.

While I could talk about so much from yesterday, I will focus on two games.

The first being the B team’s semi-final against Sutton Coldfield. The manner in which the girls battled, even when energy levels were lacking, was a perfect illustration of the spirit within this very special bunch of girls. With the clock ticking down and penalties on the horizon, Taija popped up with a rocket of a goal to send the team into the final!

The second game was the A team’s final, again against Sutton Coldfield. After a cagey affair and some great defending by Sami in particular, the girls surged forward only to be fouled ten yards from goal. With less than a minute left on the clock Latia picked herself up from the floor and curled in a screamer of a goal, worthy of winning any final!

Each one of the girls should be hugely proud of their achievement yesterday! This is a special group and we can’t wait for their next game!

 

Well done girls!

Champions!

Up The Ton!