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Saturday 26th March 2016 @ Wednesfield High School

Wolverhampton 0 – 1 Erdington and Saltley

Team: Gerard, Sam, Diago, Taylor, Rio, Tion, Cameron P, Samim, Kye, Pharrelle and Harvey

Goal: Cameron P

Men of the Match: Cameron P, Kye and Sam

In conditions better suited to flying a kite, the boys rolled up their sleeves, dug deep and secured a narrow but excellent three points to end the regular league season unbeaten and on top of the league.

Furthermore, to add to the difficult weather conditions, we were five players down, with Kane, Troy, Oakley, Ilani and Rob all unavailable for selection.

Consequently the pre-match team talk focused on the need to keep everything simple and to work harder than ever before, otherwise the talented Wolverhampton team and terrible weather would get the better of us.

During the first half we created three or four clear cut chances, despite playing into a strong wind. In fact, at times the wind meant our forward passes ended up going backwards rather than up the pitch! Fortunately Cameron had the bit between his teeth and worked his socks off up front, chasing down every ball and causing all sorts of problems for the Wolverhampton left back. However despite coming close on several occasions via Cameron, as well as Samim down the left, we couldn’t break the deadlock and with the woodwork still shaking, we went into half time all square at 0-0. In reality this felt like a lead, as the horrendous wind meant the clean sheet was a huge reward for the brilliant defending of Sam, Diago and Taylor.

As the second half started, it was clear that it was going to be easier for us going forward with the wind now behind us. Slotting into the right of midfield, Pharrelle created a number of chances for the boys, thanks to his hard work and creative spark. One such chance was converted expertly by Cameron, although the crowd would have been forgiven for thinking their eyes were playing tricks on them as the Gunter striker hit the back of the net. Chasing a seemingly lost cause, Cameron somehow managed to sprint across the width of the pitch, before preventing the ball from going out for a goal kick. With the angle improbable, he looked up and curled the ball into the roof of the net. A truly stunning finish the least he deserved for his tireless work.

Moments prior to the goal, it could have been very different had it not been for a piece of amazing defending – the like not seen since Bobby Moore dispossessed Pele all those years ago. As the Wolves striker closed in on goal, Kye dived in from nowhere to nick the ball from the toe of the pacey forward. Not done there, he somehow managed to win the second tackle despite lying on the floor! Without that tackle, and many other pieces of stubborn defending from Sam, Taylor, Kye, Diago and Harvey, we might not be sitting here right now with three points on the board. For that reason, we had to break with tradition and pick three men of the match!

There have been many high points this season but this victory is certainly up there with the very best. To win in such difficult conditions is something that should set us up as we enter the home straight of the 2015/16 season. With the finishing line in sight, we’ll need to replicate the work rate, grit and determination that we showed today if we are to end this historic season in the style that it deserves.

A special well done must go to Gerard who made his 9 a side debut for the under 11s, keeping a clean sheet in doing so.

Thank you for a great match Wolves and we look forward to locking horns once again later in the season when we meet in the national finals of the Premier League 9-a-side tournament.

Well done boys! What a great morning at the office! All 11 of you did yourselves, the Ton Army and our great district proud.

Up The Ton!

Friday 10th March 2016 @ Heartlands Academy

Erdington and Saltley 7 – 5 Gloucester

Team: Gerard, Taylor, Kian, Blessing, William, Cameron E, Ilani, Resharne, Reece and Che

Goals: Resharne x 3, Cameron E x 2, Ilani and Blessing

After spending three days in London visiting some of the most inspirational schools in the country as part of  my professional development as a teacher, I found myself sitting in traffic for four hours, whilst travelling from London to Loughborough University for the fourth and final day of my tour. Surrounded by aspiring head teachers and immersed in conversation related to the incredible pedagogy and leadership that we’d witnessed between Wednesday and Friday, I cut a very distracted figure for a 90 minute period!

Repeatedly checking my phone, I was too distracted to give the school leadership debate my full attention. At first my colleagues were a little confused, with some even concerned that the intensive few days had taken its toll on me. Suggesting I have a power-nap, they soon understood my distant state of mind when I told them that The Ton were in action! They know what this district means to me! They know I’m a little obsessed!

Time and time again my phone buzzed to alert me that the ball had hit the back of the net. Frustratingly the first two alerts were far from welcome, with the boys slipping two goals behind within the opening minutes of the game. Disheartened by my inability to have an impact on the game, I had to rely on Tonn (who we all know is the brains of the operation) to turn the boys around and before long he and they had done just that!

By the second quarter of the encounter, the boys had turned the two goal deficit around and were leading the game. However each time that I thought they’d wrapped the game up by stretching their lead to two goals, Gloucester came racing back. By this stage my fingernails had taken the brunt of my frustration.

Fidgeting in my seat, my colleagues knew it could mean only one thing…the final whistle was approaching but not quick enough! Just when I thought I couldn’t take any further punishment, a text alert informed me that we had once again taken a two goal lead. Thankfully this time it was in the dying seconds of the game and ushered in the final whistle!

After speaking to a number of parents, Gloucester staff and Tonn, I’m gutted after missing such an entertaining game. Based on how exhausted I was following the end of the game, I can only begin to imagine how shattered the players and fans were!

Thank you everyone for your wonderful support and thank you to Gloucester for being a great guest as ever. I’m told your boys played some wonderfully entertaining football, which is a great achievement following a trek up the motorway on a Friday night!

A special thank you to William’s mum for taking over as head of catering in my absence. I’m pleased to say that the trial was a success and the job is yours.

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 5th March 2016 @ Heartlands Academy

Erdington and Saltley 6 – 1 Brierley Hill and Dudley

Team: Rob, Sam, Kye, Diago, Tion, Oakley, Ilani, Kane, Rio, Cameron, William and Troy

Goals: Troy x 3, Kane, Rio and Ilani

Man of the Match: Ilani

Following last week’s stunning revival, the boys were asked to start the Dudley game as they’d finished the Solihull game. Ten minutes in they were two goals up, having smashed the woodwork twice and forced the keeper into another three saves, the lads certainly started the game as requested!

Straight from the kick-off, Cameron chased a lost cause, muscled his opponent off the ball and crossed for Rio to finish. One up within one minute. The second followed soon after when our newly crowned long distance sharp shooter Ilani rifled in from afar. Rocking and on the ropes, Dudley steadied themselves when they converted a penalty. All of this and there was only ten minutes on the clock!

The remainder of the first third was a little scrappier, as Dudley upped their work rate and frustrated us whenever we tried to attack. In defence we were solid and composed, as our rivals were prevented from threatening Rob’s goal.

The second twenty was a similar story. Rob had little to do thanks to his solid defence, whilst in attack we lacked our usual fluidity and were tense. Balls went astray and first-touches were heavy. However the effort of the lads could not be brought into question, as they continued to run themselves into the ground. Despite the scrappy nature of the game, we were still in control.

Before the final period we told the lads to relax and to loosen up. They were giving it 100% and if they relaxed on the ball and started to play with a smile, the goals would come. This is exactly what happened as four goals in the final twenty minutes earned us another three points. The goals came through the lethal pairing of Kane and Troy, but it was Ilani in midfield who gave them the platform from which to attack. Patrolling the centre of the park, the Yenton midfield general broke up play superbly before releasing his attacking team mates with accuracy and pace. He coupled the defensive solidity shown by the back three, with the work rate shown by the wide boys Rio and Cameron, to earn himself a much deserved first under 11s Man of the Match award.

A special well done to William who made his debut for the under 11s following some eye-catching performance for the under 10s. Keep up the hard work Will and they’ll be more where that came from!

This game might have been scrappy at times, but that was very much down to Dudley’s work rate. To be walking away with six goals, having only conceded a penalty, and still not be entirely happy that we were at our very best says something special about this great set of lads. They set themselves the highest of standards and this is something that will take them far in life should they continue to do so!

Well done lads! A job well done!

Up The Ton!

Friday 4th March 2016 @ Heartlands Academy

Erdington and Saltley 2 – 4 Boldmere

Team: Gerard, Taylor, Aidan, Tiarno, Eddie, Kian, Reece, William, Cameron E, Blessing and Che

Goals: Blessing and William

Man of the Match: Aidan

Against an unbeaten and quality opponent, the boys learned that if they don’t start a game at 100% it can be very hard to claw your way back into it. However they equally learned that they can stand up to anything that the weather has to throw at them – be it wind, rain, sub-zero temperatures or snow!

Playing three thirds of twenty minutes, the boys simply didn’t get going at all in the first third. Boldmere were faster, stronger and more committed.

Two goals behind after the first twenty, the boys played much better during the middle third and at least matched their opponents. However a couple of momentary lapses in concentration meant Boldmere doubled their lead with their third and fourth goals.

Down but certainly not out, the lads awoke from their winter hibernation during the final third to dominate their first period of the game. Within a few minutes of the restart, they had reduced the deficit to two goals, as William and Blessing made it 4-2 to the Sutton Coldfield team. Shortly after our second goal, Blessing cannoned a shot off the crossbar, only for the Boldmere keeper to excellently save Che’s header from the rebound. Had that goal went in, who knows what could have happened. As it was, Boldmere held firm to record a much deserved win.

Win, lose or draw, the result is genuinely irrelevant. It’s all about learning and we learned far more from this defeat than we ever could from a one-sided victory. There was more than enough in the final third to show what this group of talented lads can do. Hard work coupled with talent is an impenetrable mixture. This is something that we have to remember as our season enters into the home straight. We will bounce back, that much is certain.

Finally, without a shadow of a doubt the final word must go to Reece and Aidan. This under 9s pair worked their socks off throughout the game and refused to be beaten by older, bigger opponents. Well done lads!

Thank you for a great game Boldmere. We can’t wait for the rematch in May!

I hope you’ve warmed up parents and boys! Thank you so much for your commitment to the cause!

Up The Ton!