Saturday 9th July 2016 @ Carrington Training Complex, Manchester

English Schools’ FA and Premier League National Districts Finals 2016

 

Team: Rob, Pharrelle, Sam, Kye, Taylor, Tion, Kane, Ilani, Rio, Cameron, Samim and Troy

 

Group Stage:

Erdington and Saltley 0 – 0 Thurrock

Erdington and Saltley 0 – 0 Stevenage

Erdington and Saltley 1 – 0 Sunderland (Ilani)

 

Quarter Finals

Erdington and Saltley 0 – 1 Liverpool

 

After twelve months of unrivalled success on and off the pitch, the boys of 2015/16 travelled to Manchester in monsoon conditions to proudly take their place in the national finals.

At no point during the two hour journey did any of us think this day would go ahead, so harsh was the rain. Yet the boys from The Ton and the other 15 districts, put the water logged pitches and horizontal rain to one side to put on a show of battling, determined football, even if the conditions meant it was far from free flowing.

Our three group games were dictated by the rain. Passes often went no further than a few inches, whilst dribbling was near impossible. It was clear for all to see that the winning team was more than likely going to be the team that adapted to the terrible conditions. All ambitions to play the attractive football that has come to represent this group of talented young men went out of the window, as the only option was to get the ball off the ground and forward as quickly as possible. Mistakes were aplenty for all teams and matches became a battle of the wills.

Proudly watching on, we couldn’t have asked for more from the lads during the first two games. They had the upper hand regularly and met the conditions and the opponents head on. Unfortunately the goal just wouldn’t come. With both games ending 0-0, we knew we were very much still in the contest.

Squaring up against Sunderland in the final group game, the boys were aware that only a win would do. Showing signs that they’d truly adapted to the conditions, the boys got the ball forward much quicker than during the first two games and were rewarded when Ilani stuck a peach of a shot from outside of the area to give The Ton a one goal lead.

Safely out of the group, it was Liverpool who stood in our way for a place in the last four. The first 7 minutes of the 12 minute contest were very much evenly matched. Both teams were showcasing their talents with confidence. However, with five minutes to go, the Liverpool winger burst down the right before cutting into the box and rifling home low into the bottom corner of the net. That proved to be the only goal of the game and brought the curtain down on our season.

Immediately after the game we told the boys to forget about analysing the game and to forget about worrying about what could have gone better. Now was the time to celebrate rather than mourn. Twelve months ago these boys, plus Oakley, Harvey and Diago, came together to form a team. A fine team. A team that made history and won admirers the length and breadth of the country. A team that we’ll never forget.

All together now, for one last time….UP THE TON!

Friday 8th July 2016 @ Stud Lane, Stechford

Phoenix Rangers FC 0 – 7 Erdington and Saltley

 

Team: Gerard, Tyrese, Aidan, Fareed, Tiaron, Blessing, Eddie, Liam, William, Reece, Resharne, Cameron E, Kian, Che and Danny

Goals: Reece x 3, Resharne x 2, Liam and William

Man of the Match: Aidan
Following last weekend’s 7-a-side tournament victory, the 2016/17 team played their first ever 9-a-side game as their preseason gathers momentum.

With six year 4 lads in the squad, the boys started the game determined to overcome the advantage that they were giving to their year 5 opponents. The first 15 minutes saw The Ton attempt to take control of the game by passing their way through the thirds. Their attacking efforts were rewarded when Reece scored the first goal of what would become a hat trick by the end of the evening. Phoenix United, who were only playing their second ever 9-a-side game, were proving quality opposition and had their fair share of possession during the opening exchanges.

The second 15 minutes saw five changes, although the composure shown during the first quarter was once again evident during the second. Having moved from attack to midfield, Liam chased down a seemingly lost cause, before putting the keeper under pressure and tapping home the second of the game. Prior to that, Tyrese pulled off a couple of great saves to protect the team’s clean sheet.

The third quarter passed without much excitement, but once again the lads controlled the games and passed the ball around the pitch with great confidence and composure. On the right, Cameron was causing problems and looking to cross the ball at the earliest possible opportunity.

Starting the final quarter two goals to the good, The Ton applied more pressure than at any other stage in the game and bagged themselves a further five goals, the best of which was a long range strike from Abbey midfielder William.

A great performance built on a foundation of hard work and effort. A solid showing from both keepers (Tyrese and Gerard) was built upon some resolute defending and exciting attacking play. The perfect blend!

The boys have once again shown that there is reason to be excited ahead of the 2016/17 season.

The same should be said of the Phoenix Rangers boys, who showed their quality on a number of occasions and gave their managers and parents reasons to be really excited ahead of their new season. It’s also worth mentioning the welcome that the Phoenix fans gave the boys and the positive attitude that they showed throughout, which isn’t always the case at Sunday league games nowadays. Thank you Phoenix and you’ll always be welcome at Heartlands!

Roll on next week!

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

Sunday 3rd July 2016 @ Moor Green Lane, Kings Heath

 

Erdington and Saltley Whites: Gerard, Tiarno, Rio, Kane, Reece, Kian B, Blessing, Dalton and Che

Erdington and Saltley Clarets: Tyrese, Aidan, Sam, Cameron P, Ilani, Cian T, Resharne, Cameron E and William

 

Goals:

Kane x 7, Reece x 2, Tiarno x 1,  Blessing x 1

Ilani x 4, Cameron P x 3, William x 2, Cian T x 2, Cameron E x 1

 

Men of the Match: Kane and Tyrese

 

In the words of the great Bob Marley:

“The sun is shining, the weather is sweet. Makes you want to move your football feet.”

The sun was most definitely shining and there was some great football on show for the slightly sunburned crowd!

Following Wednesday’s game against Boldmere, the boys continued their preparation for the new district season in September by taking part in an under 11s 7-a-side tournament. With a squad of 18 and only 4 under 11s (4 under 9s and 10 under 10s), the boys were going to have their work cut out if they were going to emerge from their groups.

However as we all know, there is something in the water in Erdington and for that matter, Saltley. We are blessed with talent, year after year and 2016/17 has the potential to be the same again.

With both teams finishing top of their group with a 100% record, it was on to the semis, with the whites taking on MJPL outfit Burton Sils and the clarets squaring up against Kings Heath u11s, who had impressed throughout the group stage.

The clarets turned on the style during their semi final, thanks to a performance of class and hard work. Two up at half time following two Ilani goals, the boys solidified their position during the second ten by bagging a further three goals.

At the same time on the other pitch, the whites found life a little trickier thanks to a couple of pieces of bad luck. Trailing 2-1 after conceding two own goals, the whites equalised via the left boot of Kane. With thirty seconds remaining and penalties looming, the boys conceding a free kick on the edge of the box and suffered the worst possible punishment when Burton converted. Despite losing in the cruellest of ways, the boys did themselves proud by dominating the game and creating a number of great chances.

In the final the clarets dug deep and showed their metal by edging the lively encounter by a single goal to nil. However the goal was a beaut! A stunner! After being chopped on the edge of the box, Resharne picked himself up to curl a stunning free kick home and give the lads the lead. Other highlights of the final include Cameron P’s breathtaking volley that was somehow tipped over by the Burton keeper, a Sam goal line clearance from under his own bar, a number of amazing Tyrese saves and also the manner in which Aidan picked himself up and demanded to be put back on the pitch after a tough, but accidental, challenge.

With the cup theirs and the fans reflecting, we were left to admire the spirit and camaraderie that was obvious for all to see. It’s crazy to think that this squad hasn’t even got going yet!

Well done lads!

Up The Ton!