Saturday 11th October 2014 @ The Priory School

Kings Norton 2 – 0 Erdignton and Saltley

Team: Harvey, Shaun, Kruize, Kane, Teon, Tyrese, Jermaine, Troy, Shilo (c), Brandon, Hayden, Tristan

Football seems a very simple game in theory. Kick that round thing down that end of the pitch and into the rectangular metal thingy. However the reality is never so simple. The Ton played really well today and they’ll be games where we play no where near as well but still win. Kings Norton were clinical and ruthless, scoring with their only two real shots on target. The district from the south of the second city had other shots but they were mainly from long distance and hopeful. They also had other attacks, but invariably The Ton defence snuffed them out. This should take nothing away from Kings Norton who gave it 110% and took their chances perfectly. They played well and are sure to have a good season. Full credit to them. However, the lads shared my feeling that on another day we would definitely have got something from that game. Alas, we’ll pick ourselves up and go again!

The first half was all about The Ton. Kruize and Kane were offering a threat out wide from defence, with both players having a superb game in an unfamiliar position. Shaun was sweeping up like a seasoned Italian defensive master and Harvey was alert in goal. The midfield was hard working and easy on the eye in equal measures. Short, intricate passes were pinged around left, right and centre. Troy belied the fact that he was a year younger and much smaller than all of the opposition to play the type of football that I could only imagine playing on the X-Box – a lovely flick with the outside of his right boot and spin sticks in my mind! Jermaine was working beautifully with Kruize down the left and Teon was his usual selfless self. If there is a better team player than Teon I’m yet to see him. He just kept doing the simple things and kept the midfield ticking over nicely. In attack Shilo and Ty were linking up well, with Shilo offside six times in the first half! Six times! Coupled with the fact that he was fouled when racing through one on one with the keeper and it’s easy to see why the lads felt they should have been leading at half time. As it was, Kings Norton snatched a goal shortly before half time from a corner.

Over the past few years The Ton haven’t found it too easy to deal with going behind. Heads have dropped in the past but this team kept trying to play their passing football as the second half got underway. As the half progressed, The Ton had to take a few more chances and even went to two at the back, throwing an extra player up front. This gave Kings Norton opportunities on the counter and left us a little stretched at times. However as Del Boy would say “He who dares Rodders, he who dares.” Kings Norton’s second goal was a fine one indeed. Racing down the right, the speedy winger crossed a beaut of a ball for the striker to prod home first time from a couple of yards out. Yet still The Ton continued to press. Tristan rampaged down the right and into the box only to unleash a great shot straight at the keeper. Hayden and Brandon came into play, with the former offering a threat down the right and the latter helping Shaun keep things tight at the back.

As I stated at the start, we should take nothing away from Kings Norton, but at the same time we shouldn’t be too despondent either. We’re turning into a great team and we’ve started to develop a terrific work rate and the camaraderie is fantastic – you only had to be in the changing room before the game to witness this – 12 talented footballers turned into 12 laughing nut cases! We couldn’t be happier with the way the team has come together since the Solihull game and we’re very excited about the next game and the season ahead!

Make sure those heads stay up high and chests pushed out – you should be proud of what you did today for the primary schools of Erdington and Saltley!

Man of the Match – Shilo put in a superb performance today and lead like a real captain. He was everywhere! However, he was pipped to the man of the match by Kane. The young Hodge Hill Primary School pupil and Villa player was faultless, both in defence and later in midfield.

Well done lads!

Up The Ton!

Thursday 9th October 2014 @ Benson Community School
Aston 0 – 3 Erdington and Saltley

Team: Harvey, Kye, Harvey, Sam, Kian, Oakley, Cameron and Jamie
Goals: Cameron, Oakley and Kye

Tonn, Lemar and I all got to experience what life is like for a suit manager tonight, rather than a tracksuit manager! After coming straight from work all three of us were not exactly dressed for the occasion! What an occasion it was too!

Playing against a very talented Aston team, the boys excelled and oozed confidence throughout the game. Aston were a credit to the claret and blue of the mighty Villa and demonstrated a great sporting attitude, as well as some very silky skills.

The Ton started the game brightly and took the lead early on through Gunter striker Cameron (he was one of three Gunter lads in the starting 7 tonight!). The young Walsall player could have had at least one more goal to his name, only to be denied by some superb keeping from the Aston shot stopper. What a shot!

A second goal came before half time when Oakley stabbed home following a scramble in the congested Aston area. The Marsh Hill midfielder showed great perseverance to eventually claim his first goal for The Ton.

The second half saw more of the same from The Ton – controlled attacking football going forward and a never say die attitude when defending.

The third Ton goal came after Key sprinted down the right and burst into the box before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the top right hand corner of the net.

I teach in Handsworth which is part of the Aston District so love playing against what is my second team. It’s even better when we play well against them and manage to take all of the points. Tonight was no different. A great evening of football, full of promise and excitement. The future is blindingly bright!

Before I sign off I would like to give a special mention to Ilani and Kian. Both lads are year 4 and both are incredibly talented. The former couldn’t play today due to an injured leg, yet he still came along to support the lads! Great attitude! The former made his debut and should be proud of how he performed against opponents who were two school years above him in some cases!

Also a big thanks to the parents from rushing over to Handsworth following the final school bell for the end of the day. We’d be lost without your support!

Well done lads!

Men of the match – Kye and Sam

Up The Ton!

Saturday 4th October 2014 @ Braemar Road

Erdington and Saltley 7 – 0 East Birmingham

Team: Harvey, Shaun, Brandon, Hayden, Ty, Teon, Tristan, Jermaine, Kruize, Cameron and Kye

Scorers: Tyrese x 2; Teon x 2; Kruize, Jermain and Brandon

After making a couple of trips to Braemar in order to drop off the goals and getting very wet whilst putting them up, it was time for the first league game of the season. Last season we opened the season with a 7-0 victory over East and that’s how we ended today as well! East to their immense credit battled to the final whistle and on another day would have scored a goal or two for their efforts. All of the East lads should be proud of the fact that they refused to let their heads drop.

The game started with Kruize up front, causing all sorts of problems for the East defence with his lightening pace and great work ethic After a couple of minutes the pacey Slade pupil scored a great goal after sprinting away from the East backline. I’m not sure on the exact order of the goals but I do know that Brandon, Jermaine and Teon scored scored additional goals in the first half to give us a 4-0 half time lead. We could have had a few others, with Ty, Kruize and Tristan all going close.

Apart from the goals, the most pleasing thing about the first half was the high energy that the lads showed and their willingness to chase lost causes and put pressure on the opposition all over the pitch. This was something that we wanted to be a feature of our play and we got exactly what we asked for, plus more! Tristan and Teon were particularly good at applying pressure, although the rest weren’t too shabby either!

The second half brought three more goals and a few more chances. Captain for the day Tyrese had been really unlucky in front of goal up to this point. Several chances came his way but a combination of bad luck and good goalkeeping meant he still hadn’t found the back of the net. However that all changed after about 40 minutes when he thundered in a fearsome shot from the right hand side of the area. The frown that had adorned his face for much of the second half suddenly turned into a smile! A huge smile! The St. Joe’s schemer got in on the act again when he curled a precise shot into the bottom right hand of the net. Teon, who had earlier scored a wonderful goal following a first touch that Messi would have been proud of, got onto the score sheet for a second time before the end of the game.

The second half was littered with great attacking play but at times we played as individuals and held onto the ball when a pass could have lead to a goal scoring opportunity. I’m convinced that this will not become a feature of our play because when we pass the ball we are a frightening team. I only have to think about a pass that Tristan made over the top to Kruize or a delightful cross-field pass that Jermaine made after cutting in from the left, for proof of this. What a team we are! But think about how good we could be if we allied the work rate that we showed today with a greater team ethic.

Well done boys it was a great day at the office and you should all be proud of your efforts. It’s a great start to a long season and I predict a season full of promise, potential and excitement. They’ll be more evidence of this on Thursday when the Under 10s travel to Aston for a midweek fixture. I love this district!

Man of the Match: Teon AND Jermaine. We just couldn’t split the two lads! Teon for his tireless, selfless play and Jermain for his wing wizardry!

Well done lads and roll on Kings Norton!

Up The Ton!