Under 10s Fire on all cylinders!

Friday 7th October 2016 @ Heartlands Academy

Erdington and Saltley vs. Marston Green

 

Team: Tyrese, Aidan, James, Jeval, Romaoe, Resharne, Liam, Reece, Jaiy, Toby and Alfie

Scorers: Jeval, Romaoe, Resharne, Jaiy, Reece, Alfie and Toby

 

With no under 11s game on Saturday, it was left to the under 10s to take centre stage on a mild Friday evening under the lights of Heartlands Academy.

Our opponents were Marston Green who impressed us all, both on and off the pitch. Their philosophy is undeniably centred around personal development and growth, both as footballers and as young men. Nick, Stuart and the lads left a lasting impression on us and it was a pleasure to invite them over as our guests.

On the pitch, Romaoe made his debut for the district and in the process the St. Matthews sharp shooter bagged himself a brace of goals, as did his cousin Jeval.

Fellow cousins James and Aidan were rocks at the back, with the latter doing more step overs in defence that Messi would do up front! Backing them up at all times was Tyrese, whose agility some times defies logic!

In midfield, Reece, Jaiy, Toby and captain Resharne worked their socks off from start to finish, with each of them getting on the score sheet as a result. The finishes that each of them pulled off were superb!

Up front, Alfie and Liam got in on the goal scoring action, with Alfie scoring against his former team and Liam continuing the fine goal scoring form that he has shown for the under 11s so far this season.

This set of special boys will continue to grow as a team throughout the season. However, considering that they’re still relative strangers on the pitch, Friday night was an amazing milestone and if it’s a taster of things to come, I can’t wait for the future!

Up The Ton!

Former England International Supports The Ton!

For the first time ever, we have a full kit! Well when I say ‘full kit’, I obviously don’t mean matching shorts and socks, because we’ve never had that!

However not only do we have a match day kit, sponsored by Lamborghini, but now we also have a set of tracksuits for the boys.

Purchased by Darius Vassell, the Nike tracksuits will guarantee that the lads look the business when they arrive to games.

As well as being an Erdington boy and a pupil at Yenton Primary School, Darius achieved a huge amount in a glittering career and will prove a huge inspiration to the lads. Here is some information about his career:

 

 

Darius Martin Clarke Vassell (born 13 June 1980) is a retired English footballer who played as a striker for Aston Villa, Manchester City, Ankaragücü and Leicester City.

Vassell began his career at his home town club Aston Villa in the Premier League, being developed by their academy and making his first team debut in 1998. He was sold for £2m in 2005 to another Premier League club, Manchester City, staying for four seasons before being released in 2009, moving abroad to Turkey for a season to play for the Süper Lig team Ankaragücü. In October 2010 he was brought back to England by his former international manager Sven-Göran Eriksson to play for the Championship side Leicester City.

Under Eriksson with England, Vassell scored six goals from 22 international caps awarded between 2002 and 2004, including appearances at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan, and UEFA Euro 2004 in Portugal.

 

 

Everyone connected with Erdington and Saltley Primary Schools’ FA wish to extend our most heartfelt thanks to Darius for his incredible support of schools’ football. 

Thank you and Up The Ton!

The Ton Continue to Grow

Saturday 1st October 2016 @ Heartlands Academy

West Midlands County Schools’ FA League

Erdington and Saltley 8-2 Harborne

 

Team: Tyrese, Cian T, Kian B, Resharne, Ilani, Taylor, Cameron, Blessing, Che, William, Liam, Jaiy and Kian ON

Goals: Ilani x 6, Taylor and Cian T

 

After making a great start to the season, winning accolades on and off the pitch, the boys continued their battle to retain the WMCSFA League with a commanding victory over a talented Harborne side. Two weeks ago, Harborne got the better of Erdington and Saltley A, when they beat us on penalties in the quarter finals of the BPSFA 6-a-side.

That morning  our lads first proved their strength in depth when the B team  lifted the title. Last week against East Birmingham the boys once again showed how much talent there is in this squad when they bagged 11 goals despite having 9 players unavailable. The squad was rotated once again today, with a number of boys being rested, for no reason other than 19 doesn’t go into 9! Every week we go to lengths to stress the importance of the squad. Very rarely will we have the same team two weeks in a row. So to have such a strong squad is a great strength.

The first twenty minutes saw the lads take a grip of the game, playing the ball around in a commanding way. The Harborne keeper made a number of great saves, although the boys still went two goals up thanks to captain Ilani and centre back Cian T.

Shortly after the second twenty started, the boys added to their lead when Cameron set Ilani up for his second of the game. Just as they thought the game was theirs, Harborne reminded the lads of their quality when their centre back scored a screamer of a free kick. However the boys refused to lie down and sulk and bounced straight back when Ilani completed his hat trick.

The substitutions continued to flow and could have disrupted their play, although to their credit, the boys saved their best until last, when they scored a further four goals in the last twenty minutes. Ilani grabbed another three goals but the goal of the game went to Taylor who scored a screamer that almost ripped through the net, such was the ferocity at which it was hit!

It is not all about goals though. Tyrese in goal pulled off a stunning save seconds before the end of the second twenty and with the game evenly poised at 3-1. Cian T, Kian B and Resharne formed a formidable defensive unit, despite having never played together. In midfield, Cameron was causing all sorts of problems down the right, due to his incredible work rate and blistering pace. On the left, Blessing was a bag of tricks, linking up well with Che, who used his pace to stretch the Harborne defence and whose hold-up play was a key feature of the first twenty. William added a touch of composure to both the left and centre of midfield, whilst the third of the Kians, this time O’Neil, slotted into the right of defence with ease. Jaiy and Liam continued to belie their tender years and looked right at home against their older opponents. In fact all four of our under 10s players did!

With Gerard, Eddie, Danny and Tiarno due to return and Aidan and Reece soon to step up from the under 10s, this squad could be our deepest ever.

Thank you to Harborne for playing the game in a sporting way and for being a great guest as ever. Good luck in your next game lads.

With the under 11s rested next week, it’s the turn of the under 10s to take centre stage.

Have a great week at school boys and thank you for your efforts so far this season!

 

Man of the Match: Ilani; six goals from centre midfield.

 

Up The Ton!

League Tables – Saturday 1st October 2016

Saturday 1st October 2016

Aston 2-8 Solihull

East Birmingham 0-12 Sutton Coldfield

Erdington and Saltley 8-2 Harborne

 

West Midlands County Schools’ FA League 

Team Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Diff Points
Erdington and Saltley 2 2 0 0 19 5 14 6
Sutton Coldfield 2 1 0 1 12 1 11 3
Solihull 1 1 0 0 8 2 6 3
Derby 1 1 0 0 4 2 2 3
Wolverhampton 1 1 0 0 3 2 1 3
Dudley and Brierley Hill 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
Harborne 2 0 0 2 4 11 -7 0
Aston 2 0 0 2 4 12 -8 0
East Birmingham 2 0 0 2 3 23 -20 0

 

TEAM Ast Der Dud East Erd Har Sol Sut Wol
Aston x x x x x x x x x
Derby  4~2 x x x x x x x x
Dudley and Brierley Hill x x x x x x x
East Birmingham x x x x x x
Erdington and Saltley  11~3 x x x x x
Harborne 2~8 x x x x
Solihull 8~2 x x x
Sutton Coldfield  0~1 12~0 x x
Wolverhampton  3~2 x

 

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League 

Team Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Diff Points
Erdington and Saltley 2 2 0 0 19 5 14 6
Sutton Coldfield 1 1 0 0 12 0 12 3
Aston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Harborne 1 0 0 1 2 8 -6 0
East Birmingham 2 0 0 2 3 23 -20 0

 

TEAM Ast Eas Erd Har Sut
Aston x
East Birmingham x  3~11 12~0
Erdington and Saltley x 8~2
Harborne x
Sutton Coldfield x

The Boys of 2016 Crowned Winners of the Junior Team of the Year Award at the Birmingham Sports Awards!

Thursday 22nd September 2016 @ Edgbaston Cricket Ground


The team that keeps on giving, just gave one last time on Thursday night!

At a star studded bash at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, the Ton received their award from Villa hero Tony Daley, whilst receiving a big shout from Big Ron Atkinson, who played for Saltley whilst at Lea Village School.


As the boys were all tucked up in bed, it was left to the three of us (me, Tonn and Lamar) to collect the award. Although we are nowhere near as important as the boys of 2016, it was a great pleasure to pick up the award on their behalf.

Words simply fail me. A group of fine young men who just so happened to be very talented footballers too!


Up The Ton!

The Ton Start League Campaign in Style

Saturday 24th September 2016 @ KESH

East Birmingham 3 – 11 Erdington and Saltley

 

Team: Gerard, Taylor, Kian ON, Tiarno, Danny, William, Kian B, Jaiy, Liam, Eddie and Che

Goals: Liam x 3, Che x 3, Kian B x 3, Jaiy and William

Man of the Match: William

 

During a weekend retreat to Wales, Lamar thought it would be funny to phone me 10 minutes into the game to tell me that the boys were 2-0 down. Momentarily my weekend was ruined. Over! However he soon giggled and told me that we were two goals up! Phew!

With Matt O’Rouke once again doing his best Motty impression, I was kept abreast of the action with minute-by-minute updates reaching me in Snowdonia.


After the first 20 minutes the boys were 4-1 up, with William and Kian pulling the strings in midfield and using Che’s pace to hurt the East Brum boys.

The second third brought a further 3 goals for the Ton and a second goal for East.

Before the game was out, Liam, Kian B and Che had all bagged a hat trick each, with Jaiy joining fellow under 10s player Liam on the score sheet. However the goal of the game arguably belonged to midfield maestro William who scored a free kick right out of the Beckham Free Kick Handbook!


Following on from lifting the BPSFA 6 a side title the previous week, the boys ensured that the season continued to go from strength to strength.

With nine players missing, the most pleasing aspect of this stunning performance and victory was the manner in which the lads flourished and the depth that we have to this brilliant squad. From Mr Dodd at the back heading every ball, right through to Danny making a number of crunching tackles. Every single one of the lads were brilliant!

At the end of a week when the boys of 2016 were crowned Junior Team of the Year at the Birmingham Sports Awards, this victory was a huge cherry on top of a very tasty cake.

What a district. What a community. What amazing kids and families. What a privilege.

 

Up The Ton!

 

 

League Tables

West Midlands County Schools FA League 

Team Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Diff Points
Erdington and Saltley 1 1 0 0 11 3 8 3
Derby 1 1 0 0 4 2 2 3
Wolverhampton 1 1 0 0 3 2 1 3
Dudley and Brierley Hill 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
Solihull 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Harborne 1 0 0 1 2 3 -1 0
Sutton Coldfield 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
Aston 1 0 0 1 2 4 -2 0
East Birmingham 1 0 0 1 3 11 -8 0

 

Ast Der Dud East Erd Har Sol Sut Wol
Aston x x x x x x x x x
Derby  4~2 x x x x x x x x
Dudley and Brierley Hill x x x x x x x
East Birmingham x x x x x x
Erdington and Saltley  11~3 x x x x x
Harborne x x x x
Solihull x x x
Sutton Coldfield  0~1 x x
Wolverhampton  3~2 x

 

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League

Team Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Diff Points
Erdington and Saltley 1 1 0 0 11 3 8 3
Harborne 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sutton Coldfield 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Aston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
East Birmingham 1 0 0 1 3 11 -8 0

 

Ast Eas Erd Har Sut
Aston x
East Birmingham x  3~11
Erdington and Saltley x
Harborne x
Sutton Coldfield x

The Ton Retain BPSFA 6-a-side Title!

Saturday 17th September 2016 @ Heartlands Academy

BPSFA 6-a-side Championship

Erdington and Saltley – Winners!

 

A Team: Tyrese, Cian T, Taylor, Ilani, Cameron, William, Blessing and Liam

B Team: Gerard, Danny, Tiarno, Jaiy, Toby, Kian and Che

 

Results:

A Team B Team
Aston Won 1-0 Won 1-0
Bath and Wiltshire Drew 0-0 Lost 2-1
East Birmingham Won 2-0 Won 1-0
Harborne Won 3-0 Drew 0-0
Sutton Coldfield Won 2-0 Lost 1-0

Quarter Finals:

A Team 0-0 Harborne (Lost on pens)

B Team 1-0 Bath and Wiltshire

 

Semi-final:

B Team 1-0 Harborne

 

Final

B Team 1-0 Sutton Coldfield

 

Scorers:

Liam x 2

Blessing x 2

Toby x 3

Che x 3

Ilani x 6

Cameron x 1

Kian x 1

 

On a morning of ups and downs, the boys from the mighty Ton ended the morning as BPSFA 6-a-side champions for the third year in four. However the winning team was not the one that many predicted, with the B Team claiming a stunning victory in the final against old rivals Sutton Coldfield.

After six games, the A Team had still to concede a goal and had impressed all with their stunning play. Often playing with four attacking players, the A Team beat all before them before falling at the quarter final stage to the dreaded lottery that is penalties.

Conversely the B Team stumbled out of the group stage, after failing to find any rhythm until their final group game against East Birmingham. However they knew that the morning was more of a marathon than a sprint and clicked into top gear just in time for the knock out stage. With four clean sheets in their final four games, the B Team woke up following a few truthful words and a telling off from their captain Kian B.

In the final they rode their luck a little, with Gerard making three class saves and the woodwork saving them on another occasion. With one minute of extra time remaining, the boys reclaimed possession when the youngest player in the tournament Toby won the ball in midfield and drove forward towards the Sutton goal. Closing in on the keeper, he unleashed a shot from distance that struck Che on its way to nestling in the back of the Sutton net. Quickly regaining their composure, the lads saw out the final minute to claim their second title of the season after lifting the Bath International Cup a few weeks ago.

My personal highlight of the day was the fact that Kian B wanted Ilani to go up with him to collect the trophy. A sign of the close friendship that symbolises this great set of lads!

A morning of stunning football, heartbreak, hard work and unadulterated joy! Football is a funny old game!

Men of the match: Ilani and Kian B

Up The Ton!

The Ton Travel South for Final Pre-season Warm-up

Saturday 10th September @ Colney Heath FC, St. Albans

Team: Gerard, Tyrese, Kian ON, Kian B, Taylor, Tiarno, Danny, William, Jaiy, Che, Blessing and James

 

Lost 1-0 vs. Dartford

Lost 3-2 vs. Potters Bar

Won 1-0 vs. St. Albans

 

Scorers: Blessing, William and Che

 

The boys made light work of the poor weather and depleted squad to put in a great shift and make all three games incredibly tight. After finding themselves within touching distance of a win in each of the games, the boys left St. Albans with one win and two defeats for their efforts.

The game against Potters Bar was particularly entertaining with the Ton twice leading, before succumbing to  a second half Bar fight back.

Regardless of the results, the boys showed encouraging signs of gelling as a team, two weeks before their first competitive 9-a-side game against East Birmingham on Saturday 24th September.

A special thank you to our wonderful hosts St. Albans and to our army of travelling fans who represented us with distinction off the pitch!

 

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!