Wolverhampton 5-3 Erdington and Saltley

Team: Harvey, Kye, Brandon, Shaun, Jermaine, Hayden, Teon, Tyrese, Cameron, Samim

Scorers: Tyrese x 2 and Teon

 

The unbeaten run that stretched back over three months finally came to an end this morning. However, we might be down but we’re certainly not out and we’ll come back even stronger than before! Isn’t that right lads?

 

The game couldn’t have started any better, with captain Tyrese putting us 2-0 up after ten minutes, making a mockery of the fact that we were missing six players (Shilo, Kruize, Kane, Troy, Sam and Tristan) in the process. The first of Ty’s goals came from kick off, as he raced forward and thanks to his and Cameron’s hard work, managed to get a shot on goal that took a deflection off a Wolve’s defender before nestling in the back of the net. His second was a touch of class as he went on a mazy run and poked it home past the keeper. With our tails in the air we were working our socks off and everything was going right until the game changed in the final ten minutes of the first half, with Wolves scoring three goals in quick succession to take the lead.

 

Despite trying to pick the lads up at half time it was to no avail, as Wolves stretched their lead further during the second half. Leading 5-2, we scored a third through a stooping Teon header. At 5-3 we seemed to wake up a little and had a couple more chances to drag ourselves back into the game. On the whole we probably created more goal scoring chances today than we did last week when defeating Harborne, however we simply didn’t defend well enough as a team and were punished by a Wolves team who worked their socks off and should be very proud of their morning’s work.

 

It is certainly worth reiterating the message that we delivered after the game. One bad result doesn’t make us a bad team and we should learn more from today than we have from the unbeaten run. In adversity comes opportunities to learn and progress. Next week we’ll have to work harder, keep our shape better and defend better as a team. More importantly, do you know what? We will! We will do all of those things and much more and we’ll be a better team for it!

 

Everyone has a bad day at the office. I have bad days as a teacher where the lessons that I’m teaching don’t go as I would have hoped. I’m 30 years old. You lot are 9, 10 and 11 at the very most. You’re allowed to have days like today. It’s how we respond next week that’s more important than today.

 

Man of the Match – Cameron for his tireless effort and intelligent play.

 

Up The Ton!

Saturday 17th January 2015 @ Four Dwellings Academy

Harborne 0 – 2 Erdington and Saltley

Team: Harvey, Kane, Shaun, Brandon, Tristan, Tyrese, Kruize, Troy, Shilo, Sam, Cameron and Jermaine

Scorer: Kruize x 2

 

It was a strange week in the run-up to this match, with the threat of snow hanging a shadow over the game right up to the last minute. Plus there were a couple of issues regarding international clearance, with Jermaine only arriving back from three weeks in Jamaica a matter of hours ago and Shilo originally set to be in Germany, but as it was both boys pinned their names on the team sheet in added time!

 

The game couldn’t have started any better for the Ton, with birthday boy Kruize cutting in from the right to unleash a great left-footed cracker. With the ball destined to reach the back of the net, it clipped the head of a Harborne defender, although the Dubious Goals Panel have since confirmed that the goal goes down as a Kruize special! Next was the turn of the three Year 5 attackers, with Troy, Kane and Cameron all linking up down the left to produce a breath taking passage of play that led to a corner. With Shilo and Ty bossing the centre of the park it seemed like we were in control of the game. However, Harborne are a talented team, as they demonstrated when winning the Birmingham Districts’ 7-a-side in October. They came back at us and if it wasn’t for a couple of outstanding Harvey (another birthday boy!) saves, they would have been leading 2-1. Then they also had a penalty, following an uncharacteristic error from Brandon who handled in the area. This was the only mistake that the towering centre back made, in a match that was arguably his best in the black and white hoops of The Ton. Luck was very much on our side as the Harborne penalty smashed off the right hand post and the follow-up was put wide of the net.

They say (I’m not sure who ‘they’ are!) that fortune favours the brave and with seconds left on the clock and half time rapidly approaching, Kruize, now on the left, once again cut inside to unleash an unstoppable shot. This time there was no doubt whatsoever who the goal belonged to, with the birthday boy netting his second goal of the game.

 

At half time we discussed the need to make the right pass at the right time, rather than holding onto the ball for too long. This area of our game improved considerably during the second half and we created a number of goal scoring chances as a result of this. Cameron rifled a shot off the left hand post, whilst Jermaine missed from close range late on. One of the most pleasing aspects about the second half was the way in which the Year 5 lads acquitted themselves. Cameron’s link-up play was great up front, whilst Kane and Troy were enterprising and probing in midfield. Plus debutant Sam was commanding at the back, winning a series of crucial tackles and headers. Whilst we’re on the subject of the defence, it was great to collect our second consecutive clean sheet, which is the first time that we’ve done this all season. As a unit, Kane, Brandon, Shaun and Harvey (and then Sam in the second half) were super, and fully deserving of their clean sheet.

 

Well done boys! It was great to finally play a game after four weeks of inactivity and it was even better to return to action in style! Some of our attacking play was exquisite at times and our defending was composed and brave. A thoroughly pleasing morning all round!

 

Man of the Match – Both birthday boys, Harvey and Kruize, made vital contributions to the game and were key to us collecting three points. However it’s in defence where our Man of the Match comes from today with Shaun demonstrating exactly why he is known as ‘Biggy’, with a great game at right back, constantly sweeping up any sign of danger. But Brandon wins the award for his best district game ever! Strong. Brave. Composed. Well done Brandon! Well done The Ton!

Up The Ton!

Erdington and Saltey 3 – 2 Solihull Football Club

Team: Harvey, Kye, Sam, Ilani, Kian, Oakley, Troy, Samim, Cameron, Eddie, William, Tion, Pharelle, Harvey and Jamie

Scorers: Troy, Oakley and Kian

 

With Scotland experiencing gale force winds of up to 120mph, it’s fair to say that the tail end of this horrific weather certainly made it’s way down south to Birmingham, with strong winds making playing conditions tricky to say the least. However on the back of seven wins from seven games, the lads were full of confidence going into the game against an exceptionally talented Solihull team, who are half way through a highly successful season of their own. The pre-match team talk centred around the need for the lads to remain focused and not get carried away by the outcomes of the previous seven games, whilst making sure that their work rate and energy levels were both maximised.

The first third was fairly straightforward, with Harvey not having to make a save throughout the twenty minutes. That’s not to say that we dominated, because it was clear from the off that the Solihull lads could certainly play ball! They looked to play in a similar way to ourselves, never afraid to go backwards if there was nothing on going forwards, and always looking to pass the ball on the ground, which was just as well with the level of wind that was around. After having much of the ball, we took the lead through Troy, who continued his great run of form which means he has still scored in 100% of the 9-a-side games that he has played in, following some great work from Cameron. Talking of the Gunter striker, Cameron’s desire and work rate were both incredible, as illustrated by the final third when he sprinted the length of the pitch, tracking his player all of the way, before making a great double tackle. Anyway, back to the first twenty minutes…where was I? Oh the goal…after a great save from the Solihull keeper and some herculean last ditch defending, Marsh Hill and Blues forward Troy slotted home to give us a one goal lead.

The second twenty couldn’t have been any more different, although it was certainly something that we needed! Until now we’ve rarely been tested for long periods in games, which is no criticism of our previous opponents. Solihull tested us and much more! They dominated the second twenty, as we lost our shape and became disjointed in all areas of the pitch. Nevertheless it was to the lads credit that they ended the second twenty only 2-1 down, as it could have been more. It is also worth mentioning that despite being second best, The Ton still created a couple of great chances of our own, with both Oaks and Tion going close late on in the third. Young lads Eddie and William showed more evidence, not that it was needed, that they’re going to be key fixtures in the under 10s team next season, whilst continuing to make great contributions this season. It’s astonishing to think that they’re only in Year 4, as are Ilani and Kian for that matter!

Following a heavy downpour the sun decided to make an appearance just in time for the final third of the game. Before sending the lads out, we asked them to dig deep if they really wanted to make it 8 out of 8, or simply continue as they were if they were happy to accept 7 wins out of 8 games. The improvement was clear for all to see, with our energy levels seemingly rejuvenated and our shape rediscovered. Kian and Ilani took control of the left side of the pitch, whilst Samim and Troy were outstanding in the centre of the park. We closed down in all areas of the pitch and it was great to see the lads backing each other up and making some big tackles. The equaliser came courtesy of Oaks, who has now scored 7 in 7, after some great work once again from Troy and Cameron. That left the stage clear for Kian to steal the show. The Gunter wing wizard popped up in the box and cooly converted following some probing play from captain Troy. It was great to see the way that every man crowded around the diminutive attacker in celebration of the goal he undeniably deserved. A couple more chances came and passed but we defended resolutely to see the game out and maintain our 100% winning record.

Despite winning games by greater margins, as well as winning against older opposition, this was certainly our most pleasing victoryto date. I would also say that it was our best performance, which I know might seem a little odd as we were all over the place for long periods of the game. However, previous to this we’ve never had to really dig deep and question ourselves but that’s exactly what we had to do against Solihull. We should all be very proud of this win and take a lot from it, as we believe it will make us a much better team.

Well done lads! What a team!

 

Man of the Match – It’s a tricky one as Troy and Cameron were at the heart of most that was good today, whilst Samim clearly had a great game at the heart of the midfield. Despite all of this, we’ve decided to give it to Kian. His tekkers were slick and goal composed, but his work rate and bravery were simply phenomenal!

 

Up The Ton!

Saturday 3rd January @ BCFC Training Ground, Wast Hills

Erdington and Saltley Under 10s 9 – 1 North Birmingham Celtic

Team: Tyler, Harvey, Sam, Eddie, Samim, Kane, Tion, Kye, Pharrelle, Jake, Luke and William

Scorers: Kane x 4, Sam, Pharrelle, Luke, Jake and Tion

The score line doesn’t always tell the whole story and I certainly think that is the case today. First of all we were missing five players (Troy, Kian, Ilani, Oakley and Cameron), who between them have played 37 district games and scored 15 goals. Not to mention the fact that Troy and Cameron are mainstays of the under 11s team, never mind the under 10s. That is a lot of talent and experience to lose. Throw into the mix the fact that there’s been no football for a few weeks and four new lads taking part in a trial (Pharrelle, Luke, Jake and Tyler) and it would have been easy for the unbeaten run to have been lost today. However, as we’ve said on many an occasion…these boys have talent!

The first ten minutes was all about North Birmingham Celtic. They were quicker than us out of the blocks and bossed the opening stages of the game, deservedly taking the lead early on. However with ten minutes of the first third remaining, we managed to impose ourselves on the game and took a 2-1 lead. Don’t ask me who scored as I haven’t got a clue! Although I clearly recall the manner in which we were incredibly organised and how we defended from high up the pitch in the final ten minutes, preventing NBC from playing the ball out from defence.

The second third saw more of the same from The Ton, as we stretched our lead to 4-1 thanks to more bright attacking play and organisation all over the pitch. It was great to watch as the lads defended in packs and snuffed out any threat, leaving Tyler with nothing to do but watch and admire from goal.

The third and final third brought more goals, although at times I think we lost our shape a little as many of us went hunting for a goal. This is not a criticism, as we earned the right to do this, but it is something that we must be mindful of as we go forward. A flurry of late goals meant the score line looks more one sided than it actually was, as NBC deserve great credit for the challenge that they put up. At the same time it was nice to hear that the supporters of NBC, as well as the management, were very complimentary of the attitude and football of our boys. In fact it’s great to hear such kind words. Fully deserved too!

It’s also worth mentioning the efforts of the four lads who were on trial today, as they all put on a great show and should be very pleased with their efforts. It’s never easy walking into a new team and it’s even harder walking into a team that has been winning. Well done lads.

Finally, without wishing to signal anyone out in particular, I think it would be difficult to talk about today’s match without mentioning the efforts of Kane and Sam. Villa midfielder Kane put on a true captain’s performance, covering every blade of artificial grass, making numerous vital tackles and scoring four fine goals. Whilst Castle Bromwich stopper Sam was a rock at the back, winning every ball in the air and tackle on the ground. Well done boys. In fact, well done everyone, including the NBC lads!

Man of the Match – Kane

Up The Ton!