Saturday 10th April 2021 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

Representative Game

Erdington and Saltley A 1-8 Wolverhampton

Team: Jack, Rhys, Myiano, Younussa, Yaw, Lennon, Omari, Kyle, Dylan, Uzi and Rion

Goal: Omari

Man of the Match: Jack – Despite seeing Wolves score eight goals, the Lea Forest shot stopper made a string of stunning saves

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A game of two periods. For the first ten minutes, we were the better team. Unfortunately, Wolverhampton were the better team for the second period of 50 minutes! Ah well, football hey?!

The boys started the game like a steam train. They were first to every ball. They pressed Wolves all over the pitch. They created three really good chances, scoring one of them. They were brilliant.

However, after Omari bagged the opening goal of the game, Wolverhampton regrouped brilliantly to exert control over the boys in white. They were everything that we were during the opening stages of the encounter and we simply failed to match them.

There is nothing wrong with losing to a good side like Wolverhampton. Once the dust settled and the boys got over their disappointment, they were able to reflect and take much valuable learning from the game.

Erdington and Saltley B 1 – 2 Gloucester B

Team: Bryan, Tobi, Shaun, Sean, Shane, Cairo, Jeremiah, Mahliq, Kyle, Omari, Daniel and Mathaar

Goal: Omari

Man of the Match: Cairo – Determined and resilient in everything that he did!

Playing on the grass pitch parallel to the stadium, the B team locked horns with Gloucester B in a more even affair.

The end-to-end nature of the game kept the captive crowed enthralled for 60 minutes as both teams battled for victory. The first two goals of the game arrived in quick succession, although I can’t remember the exact order so lets just say Gloucester took the lead! Within a matter of minutes, The Ton equalised following a weaving run and finish by Omari.

Unfortunately, despite their best efforts to find a second goal, The Ton boys were hit by a superb lobbed finish by a Gloucester sharp-shooter.

Yet the boys refused to give up and flooded forward in search of an equaliser. After being fouled on the edge of the area, Omari picked himself up to launch a free kick at the Gloucester net. His rasping drive evaded the keeper only to meet the head of a Gloucester defender perfectly positioned on the line!

Despite slipping to a narrow defeat, the boys showed huge character throughout the game and did themselves proud! The battling qualities of Tobi, the leadership skills of Shane and Shaun, the fearless play of year five dynamos Daniel, Mathaar and Cairo – the whole team put in a real shift!

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 3rd April 2021 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League

Erdington and Saltley A 8 – 1 Erdington and Saltley B

A Team: Jack, Reo, Rhys, Uzi, Younussa, Yaw, Omari, Kyle, Ebrima, Dylan, Keon, Rion and Jason

Scorers: Jason x 3, Keon x 2, Omari, Younussa and Dylan

B Team: Bryan, Leeson, Tobi, Cairo, Jeremiah, Shaun, Sean, Shane, Mathaar, Michael and Kian

Scorer: Tobi

Man of the Match: Jason – Hat-trick hero!

After three long months without football, the BPSFA league restarted (again) with a ding-dong all-Erdington derby! And what a game it was!

The A team started the game full of energy and looked to stamp their authority on the fixture from the off. However, not to be outdone, the B team matched their fellow Ton players and broke through the A team defence on a couple of occasions. The first goal came from the left boot of marauding fullback Younussa who stabbed the ball home for his seventh goal of an impressive campaign. Shortly after taking the lead, the A team extended their command when Jason cut in from the left-wing and slotted past the keeper after superbly weaving his way into the box.

To their credit, the B team had the better of the middle period and were unfortunate to only score one goal – but what a goal it was! Whizzing down the right, defensive warrior Tobi lobbed a screamer of a shot from outside of the box. His rasping drive looped over the out-stretched Jack who later pulled off an incredible double save.

Screamers are like buses. You wait for one and two come along at the same time.

Enter Omari.

Despite playing with one eye, the wing wizard thrashed the ball home with venom from outside of the area to rival Tobi for ‘Goal of the Game’.

As the game entered the third and final period, the scoreline was finely poised at 3-1 to the A team.

The final twenty-minutes saw the game get out of reach for the B team. Despite several moments of quality and an undeniably excellent work rate, the B team found the A team too hot to handle as the goals flew in and the A team raced into an 8-1 lead. Captain Keon coolly placed the ball past the out-rushing keeper on his way to a brilliant brace and Dylan rifled home for his 15th goal of an outstanding season. But it was man-of-the-match Jason who stole the show with a hat-trick oozing in quality and a performance brimming with excitement.

While the scoreline obviously meant a great deal to the A team, it was the attitude and effort of the boys (both teams) that was most pleasing. It was obvious for all to see that the lads were excited to be back playing for the district. From every Kyle flick and trick to the lung busting runs of Cairo, the past three months had evidently stoked the fires within the boys’ bellies!

We can’t wait for the remainder of the season!

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 2nd January 2021 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

Erdington and Saltley A 7-1 Sutton Coldfield

Team: Jack, Myiano, Reo, Rion, Lennon, Keon, Omari, Rhys, Ebrima, Dylan, Uzi, Younussa, Yaw, Jason and Kyle

Goals: Dylan x 3, Omari, Kyle, Jason and Lennon

Man of the Match: Dylan – A classy hat-trick to make it 14 goals in 11 games this season.

The first game of 2021 was a brilliant affair for a number of reasons:

1. It was great to see Sutton Coldfield competing once again in what was their first game of the season. They proved to all that they are a really talented squad who’ll more than hold their own this season.
2. It was the first time this season that we have had our full squad together such has been the disruption of the 2020/21 Covid-season.
3. It was a breathtaking performance from the boys; a performance where all of the boys hit top form!
4. It turned out to be our last game for what appears to be more than a while. We are just glad we managed to get a game in before Lockdown was introduced.

The opening third was an excellent 20 minutes of football, with both teams prodding and probing as they jostled for the lead. The lead came our way thanks to an excellent team goal, smartly finished off by the in-form Omari.

The second period saw the boys pull away from the Sutton lads as their experience told. After entering the field following the first break, Dylan notched a brace of goals to add to his already impressive tally for the season. In defence, Rion, Myiano and Reo were commanding during the opening period, and their Herculean efforts were mirrored in the second period, this time with Rhys and Younussa now flanking Myiano. As he had done in the pre-Christmas BPSFA Winter Shield, Yaw shielded the defence brilliantly to allow Keon to flood forward at will and impose himself as an attacking force, alongside the impressive Ebrima and Kyle.

Sutton ended the second period with a goal from the penalty spot to leave the game 4-1 in favour of the boys from The Ton.

The final period saw our familiarity prove too much for a Sutton team who were playing their first game as a unit. A further three goals were bagged, as Jason rifled home from the spot, Lennon drove a rasping shot in from outside the area and Dylan completed his second hat-trick of the season. With Ton legend Markie Meade watching on from the sidelines, the boys put on a superb performance that surely impressed their former captain and all-time leading Ton goalscorer!

What a performance! This has been a tough season in what has been a tough year for so many people in more ways than we will ever appreciate. However, the boys continue to show how much it means to them to represent their district whenever they’re afforded the opportunity. Once again the season is put on the back burner while more important things take centre stage. The memory of this game and the tantalising thought of what is to come next will be more than enough to keep people going until we next line up as a team!

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 19th December 2020 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA Winter Shield

Erdington and Saltley A: Jack, Myiano, Rhys, Yaw, Younussa, Jason, Omari, Michael, Uzi and Kyle

Goals: Michael, Jason and Kyle

Erdington and Saltley B: Charlie, Cairo, Daniel, Kian, Mathaar, Shane, Shaun, Sean and Tobi

Goals: Mathaar

Results:

Erdington and Saltley A 3-1 Erdington and Saltley B

South Birmingham 2 – 0 Erdington and Saltley B

Erdington and Saltley A 0 – 0 Aston

Erdington and Saltley A 0 – 0 South Birmingham

Erdington and Saltley B 1 – 1 Aston

Final:

Erdington and Saltley A 0 – 0 South Birmingham

Erdington won 3-2 on pens

Man of the Match: Myiano – a rock at the back and towering leader

Following a spate of late withdrawals, the B team were instantly up against it as the final competition of 2020 kicked off at a crisp Castle Vale Stadium. With no subs and no ‘keeper, the boys were forced to dig deep and battle throughout the morning. In goal, both Sean and Shane stepped into the breach with distinction. The two deputy ‘keepers performed superbly, pulling off a number of excellent saves. They also showed immense commitment to the team by volunteering their services and stepping between the posts.

Unfortunately for the B team boys, they were unable to find the kind of form that had propelled them to the top of the table during the opening weeks of the season. The undoubted highlight of their morning was a breathtaking Mathaar strike from outside the area against the A team.

Like the B team, the A team boys were also short of numbers with six boys unavailable for various reasons. Unperturbed, the A team boys got their morning off to a solid start as they fired three goals past their stable-mates. Goals from the boots of Jason, Michael and Kyle saw the boys race into an unassailable three goal lead.

Despite their best efforts, the boys then found goals difficult to come by in their next two group games as they earned 0-0 draws against both Aston and South Birmingham. In both games, they rattled the woodwork and poured forward in droves. At the back, they looked resolute and solid, bagging a pair of clean sheets for their fine team effort.

Unbeaten and with only one goal conceded, the A team marched into the final and squared up against South Birmingham as the winter sun drenched Vale Stadium in the brightest of December light. Another fine team effort, led by the commanding Myiano, wasn’t enough to break South’s back-line and the game drew to an inevitable goalless draw.

Penalties. Dreaded penalties.

Myiano, Jason and Rhys volunteered, along with a number of other lads, to take our pens. All three slotted their kicks away, leaving Jack to face South’s third as sudden death loomed large. Diving to his left, the Lea Forest keeper stretched out as far as he could and tipped South’s rasping effort wide. Jubilation ensued as the boys earned their first title of the season.

What started as a tough morning due to a number of selection headaches, ended in glory thanks to a superb team effort!

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 12th December 2020 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League

Erdington and Saltley A 4 – 2 Erdington and Saltley B

Erdington and Saltley A: Jack, Reo, Jason, Ebrima, Myiano, Younussa, Uzi, Rhys, Yaw, Kyle, Omari and Dylan,

Goals: Ebrima x 2, Jason and Myiano

Erdington and Saltley B: Shaun, Sean, Shane, Kian, Tobi, Cairo, Mathaar, Leeson, Daniel and Michael

Goals: Michael x 2

The first all-Erdington derby proved a barnstorming affair as goals and tackles flew in from every direction as both sets of boys battled it out in the last league game of 2020.

It was the B team who capitalised during a frantic start to take an early lead, which they soon doubled, with both goals coming from the boot of Michael. The B team were energetic and aggressive across the pitch, proving that they were back to their best after a quiet game against Aston a week previous. The A team were second to every ball and unable to suppress their opponents who were in the ascendancy and growing in confidence.

Fortunately for the A team, the first break of the game came just in time with the score still 2-0 to the B team. After a few clear instructions, the A team burst out of the traps and soon leveled the score via a brace of penalties after both Jason and Ebrima were fouled will driving into the area. The quick-fire nature of the two penalties momentarily knocked the B team out of their stride as they found themselves on the back foot for the first time in the morning. With the ref poised to blow for the end of the second period, the commanding Myiano carried the ball upfield before unleashing a ferocious low drive into the bottom right corner. As the net shook, Trevor blew to indication the end of the second period. The comeback was on!

Not to be broken by the drastic change in momentum, the B team regrouped and hit back during the final period. On several occasions, including one that might have benefited from the use of goal-line technology, the boys peppered Jack’s goal, only to be rebuffed time and again. It took a second Ebrima goal to put the game to bed for the A team and end any hopes that the B team had of taking something from the game.

Overall it was a pulsating encounter and one that left us all proud of the boys from Erdington and Saltley!

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

Man of the Match: Myiano – a commanding performance in defence.

Saturday 5th December 2020 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League

Erdington and Saltley A 6-1 South Birmingham

Jack, Myiano, Younussa, Rhys, Omari, Lennon, Keon, Ebrima, Michael and Dylan

Goals: Younussa, Omari, Dylan, Keon, Ebrima and Michael

Man of the Match: Younussa and Myiano – a defensive masterclass

Erdington and Saltley B 1-3 Aston

Jayden, Tobi, Yaw, Shaun, Shane, Sean, Mahliq, Kian, Daniel and Mathaar

Goal: Kian

Man of the Match: Yaw – a solid game in defence

After Lockdown 2.0 finally ended and the rain relented, the A team boys excitedly took to the pitch for the first time since their bizarre and memorable 5-5 draw with Gloucester in October. That day, the boys were majestic for 43 minutes. They were truly sublime for huge periods of that game, yet ultimately left disappointed and sodden wet.

Against South Birmingham, the boys were once again majestic. However, this time they stayed dry and free from a late collapse. They were breathtaking! This is no mean feat considering they were up against a quality South Birmingham outfit and missing a number of key players due to COVID isolation.

Early in the game, South Birmingham took the lead when they broke our high-line and slotted the ball past the sprawling Jack who could do nothing about the excellent finish. Despite the early blow, the boys ended the first half with a 3-1 lead and the wind well and truly behind their sails. Goals from Dylan, who was excellent in his debut game upfront, Keon and Michael. The interchange and linking play between Dylan and Keon was immense. Throughout the first period, Dylan dropped deep, held up the ball and played Keon into the final third. It was a joy to watch,

With Lennon sticking to his pregame promise of #BigTackles, the boys exerted their control early in the second period when Ebrima got on the scoresheet shortly after entering the game during the break. Arguably the two most eye-catching goals belonged to Younussa and Omari, with both wide players scoring from distance to rapturous applause.

The fact that all six goals were score by a different player illustrates how strong performances were right across the team. As does the fact that two defenders, Younussa and Myiano, were named man of the match. Not to forget Rhys, who as he has done all season, created all manner of problems down the right wing. Throw into the mix Jack and his excellent double save that was brimming with quick reflexes and amazing agility, and you have yourself a brilliant morning at the office! Oh and the little matter of Michael’s first goal for the district in a 9-a-side game!

There genuinely was nothing more we could have asked from the boys. It was an excellent performance and one that will stick in the memory for a long time. There are days when everything clicks into place and this was one of them!

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 31st October 2020 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

Erdington and Saltley A 5 – 5 Gloucester A

Jack, Reo, Younussa, Uzi, Omari, Kyle, Leeson, Lennon, Keon, Jason and Ebrima

Goals: Keon, Lennon, Jason x 2 and Kyle

Man of the Match: On this occasion, the man of the match winner was selected by Bob, the Gloucester Manager. Lord Bob of Gloucester selected Lennon for the way he drove the team on, especially during the opening two thirds.

When asked to summarise the game, a wiser man than me quoted the 1942 Oscar winning film Casablanca:

“In all the games, in all the years…”

What happened at Castle Vale Stadium yesterday will possibly never be repeated. With 17 minutes left to play, and with a 5-1 lead, The Ton looked home and…well they looked home, if not dry.

Then the game was turned on its head when a hitherto seemingly lifeless Gloucester side rose from the canvas as the referee started to count to ten. Blooded and bruised, the boys from down the M5 dragged themselves to their feet before landing a few telling blows of their own. One goal after another saw the Ton’s four goal lead eroded as the game swung in dramatic fashion.

A huge amount of credit must go to Gloucester for their incredible fight back.

Equally, a huge amount of credit must go to the boys in white. For 43 minutes we played some breathtaking football – some of the best we have played this season. We bossed the game during the opening two periods and were relentless in our pursuit of goals.

Across the pitch, the boys were brilliant. The returning Keon linked up brilliantly with Lennon as the duo bossed the midfield. Omari shuck off an injury scare to play with heart and hunger, causing a number of problems down the flank. While Jason bagged a brace of goals, cutting in onto his right foot on both occasions to rifle home from the left wing. In defence, the rejigged backline made light work of the absence of Rhys and Myiano to marshal their line with confidence and intelligence.

Then, as stated above, the clock struck 43 minutes and the game changed to the extent that it became a perfect game for the neutral.

Despite the obvious disappointment on show following the final whistle, the boys reached height’s during the sixty minutes that they’ve not reached to date this season. That is enough to banish any memory of the score line and fill all of the boys with encouragement ahead of next weeks all-Erdington heavyweight clash.

Erdington and Saltley u10s 4 – 4 Gloucester u10s

Team: Remi, Bryan, Luca, Tyga, Rion, Frankie, Rio, Daniel, Mathaar and Andrius

Goals: Andrius x 2, Mathaar and Daniel

Man of the Match: Frankie – a debut to remember!

If not quite as dramatic, the under 10s game had its own twists and turns to contend with as the lead and momentum switched from Gloucester to Erdington throughout the morning.

In their first ever game as a team, the under 10s showed more than enough promise to convince everyone in attendance that they’re going to be an excellent team. This is especially true when you factor in the under 10s development game that preceded the 4-4 draw with Gloucester – there are certainly lots of talented u9s and u10s in Erdington and Saltley.

A superb Andrius run and finish levelled the scores at one apiece during the opening ten minutes of the encounter. Frantic and end-to-end, the opening exchanges were frantic and exciting.

Moments before the end of the first period, Gloucester retook the lead before extending it further in the early minutes of the second period. With a 3-1 lead, Gloucester looked to be in cruise control, until The Ton boys clawed their way back into the game with goals from Mathaar and a second from Andrius.

With the rain now pouring down horizontally, The Ton lads were knocked out of their stride by a fourth Gloucester goal just when it seemed the momentum had swung in their favour.

Despite the obvious blow of conceding, the boys dug their heels in and re-established a foothold in the game when Daniel equalised late in the game to ensure the boys got something to show for their excellent play.

On a truly miserable morning weather-wise, it was heartening to witness 33 boys pull on the jersey of Erdington and Saltley. The 18 goals in our two games against Gloucester and additional 4 goals in our in-house development game was ample reward for all those who braved the Biblical weather.

Well done boys! We could not be prouder!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 24th October 2020 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League

Erdington and Saltley B 1 – 1 South Birmingham

Team: Jayden, Leeson, Cairo, Tobi, Shaun. Shane, Mathaar, Mahliq, Jerimiah, Michael, Sean, Isiah and Kian

Goal: Shaun

Man of the Match: Shaun – a superb all-action display!

Erdington and Saltley A WON – LOST Boldmere St. Michael’s

Team: Jack, Reo, Rion, Rhys, Lennon, Ebrima, Jason, Omari, Kyle, Uzi, Younussa and Yaw

Goals: Various – all have been added to the stats page

Man of the Match: Uzi – Mr Versatile played a number of different positions and impressed in all of them!

After securing a confident victory over Aston two weeks ago, the B team played their roll in an entertaining game against South Birmingham. Both teams can make a valid claim that they should have won after watching shots ricochet off the woodwork. Yet as the ref blew for full-time, both teams were happy to accept a share of the spoils.

As the first half neared its conclusion, Shaun rifled home following good work from Jerimiah and Kian.

The lead was short lived as South Birmingham equalised almost immediately, proving the old adage that a team is at its most vulnerable after it scores!

The second period once again saw both sides attack with gleeful abandon, throwing everything but the kitchen sink at each other’s goal. As a number of efforts smashed against the woodwork, all three coaches were left watching the game through their fingers as they were unable to take the tension!

The draw and resulting point lifted the boys to the top of the BPSFA league, albeit at a very early stage in the season.

Well done boys!

On the adjacent pitch, the A team raced into an unsalable lead early in their game against Boldmere St. Michael’s. With the boys tight at the back and sharp up front, The Ton scored a number of excellent goals.

The second half saw the two teams mixed up with the result not important. This shuffle of the two packs saw for a much more even second period and allowed for some exciting flashpoints as hitherto Ton teammates squared up on opposite teams!

Well done Boys!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 17th October 2020 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

Erdington and Saltley A 1-6 Telford

Team: Jack, Miyano, Rhys, Yaw, Younussa, Dylan, Kyle, Omari, Lennon, Michael and Jason

Goal: Kyle

Man of the Match: Lennon – a combative performance from the under 11s captain; attempted to drive his teammates forward at every opportunity.

After a number of comprehensive victories, The Ton squared up against a Telford team bursting at the seams with talent. It turned out to be a barnstorming affair that will live long in the memory, even if we were unable to claim any points from the fixture.

After falling behind to an early Telford goal, the boys showed superb character to dust themselves off and equalise midway through the first period. After being upended on the edge of the Telford area, Lennon floated a ball towards the back post where Kyle pounced and poked the ball home following a short scramble.

Game on.

The rest of the game followed a repeated pattern of play – end-to-end action, a few Ton mistakes and some ruthless Telford finishing.

A huge amount of credit must go to the Telford boys who were merciless in their determination to make us pay whenever we slipped up. Their players were brilliant and we can’t wait to lock horns again later in the season.

Despite the one-sided nature of the score line, the boys played really well for long periods of the game, including hitting the woodwork twice and going close on a number of occasions. It certainly wasn’t a morning that left us showered in doom and gloom. In fact, it was definitely the opposite. We know what we did well against Telford, but we also know what we have to do better next time we play the Shropshire outfit!

Next time it definitely will be game on!

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!