Friday 6th June 2014 @ BCFC Training Ground, Wast Hills

Erdington and Saltley 6 – 2 Harborne

Team: Dermot; Alex, Michael, Leyton; Ramello, Ethan, Amari, Tyrese; Shilo – Subs: Kruize, Callum

Goals: Shilo x 4 and Amari x 2

 

This was our first game for a month and our first game since our heavy defeat to South Birmingham in the final of the Birmingham District Cup. The sun was blazing and Birmingham City FC had kindly offered us the use of their superb facilities…everything was perfect! Having already made history by reaching the semi-final of the Burton Shield, the lads were determined to go even further in their attempt to win a historic treble.

With the game barely ten minutes old, we had managed six or seven super attacks and shost on the Harborne goal. Despite being in control, we knew the game was delicately poised at 0-0 and the first goal was vitally important. It turned out to be an amazing goal too! Amari cut in from the left and unleashed a worldy of a shot from outside of the area that looped over the keeper. Amari’s partner in crime for much of the season has been Shilo and the young Villa forward got in on the action scoring a smart finish on the turn. Obviously my memory is not what it used to be and I can’t really remember the goals, although I know it was 4-0 at half time – both Shilo and Amari scoring two apiece. What I do remember is that Alex cleared a superb goal bound shot off the line following a brave save from Dermot. Plus Michael was imperious in defence, breaking up play and bursting forward at every opportunity. More pleasing was the nature of our team play. Previously in the season we have been guilty of playing as individuals, to the detriment of the team and ultimately the end result. However, our first half performance yesterday was almost perfect and one that was built on a foundation of teamwork and team spirit. Brilliant!

The second half started with a bang when Shilo scored his hat-trick goal within 10 seconds of the restart! I missed the goal because I was trying to get the stopwatch to start! I simply heard the thump of the ball hitting off the underside of the woodwork! The St. Matthew’s striker scored his forth following good work from Ramello and a goal mouth scramble. To their credit, the Harborne boys refused to throw the towel in and scored two goals of their own, playing some great football in the process. Once again the lads played great football and worked as a team, even if we got a little shot-happy in the last five minutes.

Tonn and myself couldn’t be prouder of the effort, skill and flair that was on show, as well as the fact that every single player gave 110% throughout the whole match. If we can replicate this effort in the final, we’ll be sure to give Wolverhampton a much tougher game than we did in our last meeting.

Man of the Match: Despite scoring four goals, I’m going to have to give Michael the Man of the Match for his swashbuckling attacking play and fearless defending. It was a great return to form for the St. Margaret and Mary’s player and one cross field ball to Shilo sticks in the mind!

Well done lads, what a team!

Up The Ton!

Friday 9th May 2014 @ Bodymoor Heath

Erdington and Saltley 2 – 7 South Birmingham

Team: Dermot; Alex, Marc, Leyton; Amari, Michael, Ramello, Ethan; Shilo – Subs: Tyrese, Kruize, George, Callum

Goals: Amari and Ramello

Man of the Match: Tyrese

 

Lets look at a few facts first:

1. Birmingham competitions entered: 4
2. Birmingham competitions won: 2
3. Birmingham competitions where we’ve finished as runners-up: 2
4. Number of Year 5 players who have represented the district at some stage during the season: 9 – therefore making us the youngest squad in the city this season.
5. Number of cups won for the first time in Erdington and Saltley’s history: 2
6. Number of goals scored in all competitions: 117
7. Number of proud, privileged managers: TWO!

 

We lost the final. These things happen. Life can be cruel and football even crueller. South Birmingham played superbly and in young Tim, they had a played that was on top of his game. He was immense and there are times in life where you just have to hold your hands up and acknowledge your opponent’s brilliance. This is one of them.

So we lost the game but as a team we have won the respect of everyone that has played against us or been lucky enough to watch us in full flow this season. If you’re still feeling a little down following yesterday’s result, re-read those seven facts above and remember this – you’ve made history this season and no 7-2 defeat can change that. If after reading those seven facts you’re still not convinced, cast your memory back to Wednesday night and the epic victory against Aston in a semi-final that was the best game of under 11’s football I have ever been involved in. What a team!

We’ve got a week or two off now before another tough game against a talented Harborne side in the semi-final of the West Midlands FA Cup. Rest up and enjoy your SATs this week! Keep those heads held high. I’ve never felt prouder of you than when that final whistle echoed around Bodymoor Heath last night. That might sound a little strange but if you’re sitting there scratching your head in bemusement at that comment, may I redirect you to those seven facts listed above.

Up The Ton!!

Wednesday 7th May 2014 @ Braemar Road

Erdington and Saltley 2-2 Aston – After extra time

Erdington and Saltley win 4-3 on penalties in sudden death

 

Team: Dermot; Michael, Alex, George; Amari, Ethan, Ramello, Marc; Shilo; Subs: Tyrese, Kruize, Callum and Leyton

 

This isn’t much of a match report. I don’t really have many memories and certainly not enough for a blow by blow recount of the epic semi-final that took place last night. I’ll give it my best shot but make no promises!

Aston started the game off as the better team and controlled large parts of the first 30 minutes. After taking the lead, Aston exerted their control and could have scored another, only to be denied by the woodwork. However, The Ton once again came from behind (Really boys, must we do this every week?!) to equalise. Shilo picked up the ball on the left and skipped past a tackle or two, before cutting back into play on the goal line. With the angle almost impossible, Shilo looked up to calmly slot the ball away past the keeper. Despite this wonder goal, Aston were still in control of the game and deservedly took the lead again before the half time whistle.

Tonn and myself reassured the lads that losing 2-1 after playing uphill and into the wind was a decent half time score line. However the lads were told to roll up their sleeves and fight for the right to play in the Birmingham FA Cup final. This is exactly what they did. Ethan completely owned the left hand side of the pitch and looked threatening every time he had the ball at his feet. Amari and Marc (and then Tyrese) were putting in a mammoth shift in the centre of the park, whilst the defence repeatedly repelled a dangerous Aston frontline. Nevertheless we still trailed 2-1. Despite the negative score line, the lads didn’t panic and played some great passing football, attacking with pace and in numbers. I can’t really remember Shilo’s equaliser so I’ll just assume it was an overhead kick from the half-way line! We continued to attack after levelling the game and could have won at the death when the on-form Ethan found himself one-on-one, only for the Aston Keeper to make a great save.

Extra time came and went. Marc Witty winning three colossal headers was my highlight of extra time. In truth neither team deserved to lose. Every one of the lads who played can hold their head up high. It was a privilege just to watch you.

After five penalties each it went to sudden death. Aston’s first sudden death penalty became the third victim of the giant Dermot Mee. That left Michael to step up and take the nerve jangling penalty. I think he scored but I was facing the other way.

So a third final of the season. A third final of the season against South Birmingham. No doubt it’ll be a great game!

Well done boys. I’ve run out of words to describe how proud you make Tonn and myself. I always think we couldn’t be prouder, but then you go and do something like this! Hopefully I’ll sleep tonight but I doubt it!

Man of the Match – Ethan

Up The Ton!!

Saturday 26th April @ Longlevens Junior School, Gloucester

Game 1: Gloucester 3 – 1 Erdington and Saltley

Game 2: South Birmingham 0 – 4 Erdington and Saltley

Squad: Dermot, George, Leyton, Michael, Alex, Callum, Amari, Ramello, Ethan, Tyrese, Shilo, Kruize,

Scorers: Amari x 2; Ethan x 2; Alex x 1

Man of the Match/Morning: Alex – Not only did he show desire, hunger, commitment, discipline and skill during the 4-0 victory over South, but he also showed these qualities in abundance during the Gloucester defeat. The whole squad can be proud of their performance against South Birmingham but only a few players did themselves proud (if they’re being honest) during the Gloucester game, one of which was Alex.

 

Game One: Gloucester

We arrived in Gloucester knowing that we had to collect two wins if we were going to have a chance of lifting the trophy. With the whole squad there in good time, we warmed up vigorously and had a calm team talk, constantly reinforcing the need for the lads to be disciplined and to work hard. Nothing but 110% was required.

As the game started it was clear to Tonn and myself that too many of the lads were not ‘up for it’. Alex was defending valiantly, throwing himself in front of every pass and shot. Dermot was as alert and commanding as ever, rushing out to make a number of clearances. Whilst Michael returned to the kind of form that he showed at the start of the season – full of running and guts. However, after Gloucester scored an early goal we simply fell apart. A number of players dropped their heads, argued with each other, moaned at the ref and sulked about the jobs they were being asked to do. In the end Gloucester got exactly what they deserved and for every one of our faults, they matched us with a touch of class and bucket full of desire. The Gloucester boys should be immensely proud of the fact that they stood up to two teams (South Birmingham as well) who had inflicted heavy defeats on them during the season. They showed no fear and were a credit to the Gloucester badge. Well done boys.

As for The Ton…we will not dwell on this performance but we must not forget it. Valuable lessons can be learned and carried forward to future matches, as well as anything that we do in school or life. At the end of the day no one will ever give us anything for free. We have to work hard for anything and everything that we want.

 

Game Two: South Birmingham

Where to start? At the beginning I suppose! Following the final whistle at the end of the Gloucester defeat, the lads had just under ten minutes to pick themselves up, dust themselves down and get on with things. This is exactly what they did and more! The way they played against South, particularly during the first half, was breath taking. What a way to answer your doubters! What a way to shut me and Tonn up! We couldn’t be prouder of the way everyone of the lads played in this game.

The team was shuffled around slightly, with Michael and Alex moving into centre midfield in a bid to bring some much needed shape and discipline to the team. Ethan came back into the team and was shifted up front, whilst George and Leyton brought stability to the backline.

The first goal was a thunderbolt of a strike from the left boot of Alex. Picking the ball up in centre midfield, the goalkeeper/defender/midfielder pushed forward before unleashing an unstoppable strike from the edge of the area into the top corner of the net, off the underside of the bar. Boom! What a goal! No keeper in the world could have saved that shot! The second goal came shortly after. This time it was Amari’s turn to strike from the edge of the area, his daisy cutter of a strike nestling in the side of the net. With The Ton truly invigorated and on top of their game, Ethan scored another blistering goal, once again from outside of the area! Three-nil to The Ton! Only ten minutes of the first half had passed and The Ton Army wanted more goals! Kruize picked the ball up on the left and skipped past two South players before crossing for Ethan to tuck away from close range. It was now 4-0 and there was still time for more! The Ton came very close on another couple of occasions and could easily have led 6-0 at half time. However, the South keeper pulled off a couple of great saves to keep the score at 4-0. The second half brought an improved South performance, yet The Ton could have still scored another goal or two. Alas it wasn’t to be and we had to settle for a fine 4-0 victory.

What a performance! What a way to bounce back in style! Now let’s make sure that we finish the season in the same way that we played against South. If we do that, then we’ll give ourselves a great chance of winning the Birmingham FA Cup and the West Midlands FA Cup.

Thank you Gloucester for being the host with the most! It’s always a pleasure to visit Longlevens and we look forward to returning next season. Hopefully next time we’ll return home with the Midland Challenge Cup. Also, well done to South who won the cup after securing the point that they needed in their second game against Gloucester.

A huge thank you to all of the parents who sacrificed their Saturday and petrol to travel to Gloucester. Without you there would be no district football. Up The Ton Army!

Roll on Aston!

Up the Ton!