Saturday 20th September 2014 @ Arden Hall

Erdington and Saltley  1 – 2 Bath

Erdington and Saltley   5 – 4 Bath

 

Teams:

Match One – Harvey, Alfie, Shaun, Hayden, Brandon, Callum, Daniel, Kruize, Jermaine, Teon, Tyrese, Tristan, Jacob, Tierry

Scorer – Tyrese

 

Match Two – Kai, Ryaq, Elijah, Sam, Dylan, Jamie, Kye, Harvey, Cameron, Tion, Brayden

Scorers – Sam x 2, Cameron x 2 and OG

 

Today was another historic day for Erdington and Saltley. Not only was it the first time that we’ve played a ‘home’ game away from Braemar but it was also the first time that we’ve played Bath. I must say that both games were incredibly entertaining too. Brilliant in fact!

 

Game One:

The first game kicked off at 10:30am and saw both teams battling it out for a place in Round 2 of the Shires Cup. Thirty seconds into the game and with their first attack, Bath took the lead. Anyone who has followed the fortunes of The Ton over the last few years will know that we’re great at conceding early goals! I think it takes us ten minutes to wake up! However, we’re also pretty good at pulling ourselves back up and going again. Within five minutes of the game the score was 1-1. Tyrese raced on to a Teon through ball and was fouled from behind just inside of the area. The Blues midfielder pulled himself up and scored from the spot, slotting the ball into the bottom right hand corner.

The rest of the game passed me by in a blaze of frantic, fast paced attacking play from both teams. Despite encouraging the lads to slow down and take their time, The Ton continued to attack and defend at breakneck speed. This is something that we’ll improve on over time and we’ll soon be masters of the cool, calm approach to football. However before the game Tonn, Lemar and I asked the lads to show us heart and fight and this is exactly what they did. The improvement since the Solihull game was brilliant and that’s all we could have asked for.

Unfortunately today wasn’t our day, with Bath scoring a very classy goal with ten minutes left on the clock. On another day we’ll win tight games like this but just not today. A special mention should go to both Alfie and Harvey who were playing their first game for the district this season. Both lads were cool and collected in goal and should be pleased with their efforts. Well done lads!

Man of the Match: Jermaine

 

Game Two:

Anyone who watched this game was treated to a special sight – two teams attacking and attacking and attacking! The lads were superb, despite the fact that substitutions were made at five minute intervals and players were asked to play in a number of different positions throughout the game. Within 15 minutes, The Ton had raced into a 3-0 lead, with Cameron bossing the game in attack and Kye cool in defence. There was also a number of silky attacking moves, with Sam playing one particularly memorable drag back and pass in the first third of the match.

However, district football is a big step up from Sunday/School football and the slightest lapse in concentration is punished. Bath pounced on our sloppy play and levelled the game at 3-3. Lessons were learned very quickly though and we retook the lead twice in the last period, eventually winning 5-4. Braden

The quality of play bodes well for the future, especially with Oakley, Troy and Kane absent from today’s game. Wow what a thought! The future is certainly bright. The future is Black and White!

 

Man of the Match: Cemeron

 

Final Word:

A huge thank you must go out to Wayne and to the rest of the Bromford Lions family. Our home ground Braemar Road is out of action for a week or two and without Wayne’s help we would have been homeless and wondering through the football wilderness. He was there before me (I got there at 8:45am!) and left after me! We played Bromford during the summer holidays and are well on our way to building a great working relationship with this superbly well run local team. It’s links such as this that will allow us to grow further as a representative team. Thank you Wayne and thank you Bromford Lions!

Then there is Bath…what a great bunch of lads. Polite, cheerful and great ballers! The managers were alright too! This might have been the first time that our two great districts have met, but it won’t be the last!

Also a special thanks to everyone who bought a programme and to Sam’s mother for selling copies for me. The district would collapse without such support.

 

Well done lads. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

 

Up The Ton!

Saturday 6th September 2014 @ Windy Arbor Primary School

Solihull    Goals vs. No Goals    Erdington and Saltley

 

Team: Kai, Shaunm Kye, Kruize, Jemriane, Teon, Tyrese, Shilo, Tristan, Kane, Troy

 

It’s that time of the year again…School’s back! That can only mean one thing…a new district season and sleepless Friday nights for me. For those of you who don’t really know me yet, I get very involved in district football…sad I know!

After waking up bright and early on Saturday morning I couldn’t wait for kick off to arrive.  Even though this was just a friendly, I felt the same as I did last season on the morning of the cup finals! Before the game Tonn and I asked the lads to commit themselves 100% regardless of the position they found themselves playing in. As this was our first district game as a team, it was important for the lads to get to know each other, as well as Tonn and I learning more about the strengths and weaknesses of the team.

With the game split into four periods of 15 minutes, the ref got the game underway and everyone was treated to a spectacle of fierce, but fair tackling, full blooded commitment and lots of great skill. Both teams were giving it everything that they had. The Ton unfortunately found themselves 1-0 behind after the first quarter, but in fairness it was a very equal game up until this point.

However things started to go wrong for The Ton from that point and throughout the rest  of the game we conceded goals at regular intervals. Solihull have the potential to have a great season this year, but so do we. It might sound crazy after suffering a heavy defeat, but we’re all exceptionally excited about the talent in this season’s squad. There is an abundance of talent everywhere that you look. More than you could shake a very big stick at in fact!

We must remember that we’ve got a very young team, with a number of players playing 9-a-side football for the first time yesterday. Kane and Troy remained upbeat throughout the match and refused to drop their heads, always looking for the ball in an attempt to make something happen for their older teammates. Shaun was a warrior in defence, at times resembling the Battle of the Alamo. Shilo and Tyrese prodded and probed from central midfield, particularly early in the game. The list of positives is much longer than the lads thought as they walked off immediately after the game. I could go on!

In adversity comes an opportunity to learn. Tonn, Lemar and I have learned loads from yesterday and I know each and everyone of the lads have too. My biggest disappointment is the fact that we don’t have a game next week where we can prove what we’ve learned.

Keep your heads held high lads, you’ve got nothing to feel down about and the best is still to come. I know this for a fact!

 

Man of the Match – Teon Sappleton.

Although not originally named in the match day squad, Teon was called up following a couple of withdrawals. He took this opportunity with both hands and gave a composed performance in the centre of the park. He looked to release the ball quickly, with the vast majority of his passes finding a teammate and forming the start of an attack. The Arden Forest schemer has well and truly played himself into the first team picture ahead of the start of the competitive season. Well done Teon!

 

Enjoy your first full week at school boys!

 

Up The Ton!

Thursday 21st August 2014 @ Yardley and District Rugby Club

Bromford 1 – 1 Erdington and Saltley

Team: Kai, Shaun, Kye, Jamie, Kruize, Brayden, Jermaine, Hayden, Tristan
Subs: Little Dylan, Elijah, Ryaq, Harvey, Oakley, Tierry, Daniel, Jacob,

Scorer: Kruize

With the season fast approaching The Ton visited local Sunday league team Bromford Colts with every player bidding to further their claim for a place in the first team when we take on Solihull on Saturday 6th September. With six lads (Shilo, Marc, Kane, Troy, Ty and Cameron) rested and several on holiday, this was an opportunity for the other lads to stand up and make their case heard.

Prior to the game, Tonn and I asked the lads to focus their efforts on winning the ball back quickly, whilst applying pressure to the opposition whenever they had the ball. The first of four 15 minute periods got under way with The Ton playing some wonderful football – playing through the thirds and with the ball on the floor – but failing to capitalise on the possession they were enjoying. As is always the danger, Bromford countered and scored a goal, taking the lead 1-0.

The second 15 was very much Bromford’s. They have played around 20 9-a-side games since July (now that’s a preseason!) and were exceptionally well organised and drilled as a result. Friend of the district Gio (for those who don’t know, he is the brother of Ton star and Birmingham City FC schemer Tyrese) was using his strength to bully and torture the back three of The Ton. Time and time again Shaun and Gio came up against each other in an epic battle. Fortunately for The Ton, Shaun is a tough cookie and he matched Gio every step of the way.

During the final 15 minutes, The Ton looked to get back on top of the game and poured forward in an attempt to snatch an equaliser. Bursting through one-on-one with their keeper, Ryaq rounded him before shooting from a narrow angle, only for the retreating defender to clear off the line. With the clock ticking down, Kruize cut in from the right and carried the ball to the edge of the area. Unleashing a wonder of a shot with his left foot, he stood back and watched as his shot sailed in over the keeper, who could do nothing to stop it. With three minutes remaining The Ton looked to score the winner, only to run out of time.

A draw was a fair result for both teams. We wish Bromford Colts the best of luck in this season’s CWYFL Division Two and I’m certain they’ll build on the success that they’ve experienced in recent years. They’re a cracking bunch of lads who gave us a tough, yet highly entertaining game.

As for The Ton, we’re please for many reasons. Firstly the passing and movement during the first quarter. It was quick, crisp and purposeful. The boys were confident on the ball and never afraid to go backwards in a bid to go forward. Secondly, the manner in which they kept going right up to the final whistle. It’s easy to forget that we’ve not played together as a full team yet! Thirdly, half of the squad were under 10s. Finally, many players were asked to play in two different positions during the match, with many players playing in a position unfamiliar to them. This decision was taken on purpose by me and Tonn as a way of testing the lads. We’re more than happy with the answers that the lads came up with every time they were questioned.

Well done boys!

Man of the Match: Kruize

Up The Ton!

Thursday 14th August 2014 @ Jaffray Road

Phoenix United 7 – 2 Erdington and Saltley

Scorers: Kruize and Tierry
Team 1: Kai, Shaun, Kye, Kruize, Dylan P, Sam, Jermiane, Tion, Ryaq and Dylan
Team 2: Kai, Jamie, Brandon, Harvey, Oakley, Cameron, Daniel, Hayden, Elijah and Jacob

This was a big night for The Ton, with six lads out due to academy commitments, it was an opportunity for the remaining members of the squad to stake a claim for a starting place ahead of the season opener in September. If that wasn’t challenging enough, the fact that we were playing an under 12 team made it that little bit trickier. Then add to this a few Aston district players from last season in the opposition starting 9 and factor in the fact that half of our team were under 10s and you’ve got a huge challenge!

Before the game Tonn and I asked the lads to do two things for us during the game:
1. find space when in possession and pass the ball on the floor
2. don’t use the fact that Phoenix were two years older than half of our team as an excuse for giving up

I’m pleased to say that the lads did both of these things, along with much more! Both teams found themselves under immense pressure during their respective first halves. We spent large parts of the early exchanges defending and trying to get the ball back. We had two options – fight or flight.

Both teams came out for their second halves and fought to the final whistle. The stripes scored a wonderful goal via the left boot of Kruize. Playing on the right, the nippy wing wizard cut in and smashed the ball home from outside of the area. Then in the second game Tierry scored from close range, following a classic goal mouth scramble. This goal came with the final kick of the game and acted as a perfect illustration of how both teams refused to give up.

Despite losing the game to an aggregate score of 7-2 (I think!?) the boys should all hold their head up high. Some of our attacking play was breath taking, with both Kruize and Jermiane causing them all sorts of headaches down the wings. In defence we played with heart and commitment, diving in front of shots and wrestling with players sometimes twice our size. We attacked with flair and intelligence and Kai in goal made a number of great saves. I am 100% certain that if we were two years older and matching them in years, we would have won tonight. We couldn’t have asked for more. You couldn’t have done anything else.

Well done lads. See you all next week.

Man of the Match: Jermaine

Up The Ton!