Saturday 16th November 2013 @ Braemar Road

Erdington and Saltley 4 – 3 Kings Norton

Team: Dermot; Marc, Alex; Ramello, Kruize (George), Ethan, Michael, Amari; Shilo (Leyton)

Scorers: Amari x 2, Shilo and Ethan

 

Following the disappointment of last week (we didn’t get out of the group during the West Midlands 7-a-side) the pre-match talk was about the need for our attitude to be perfect and for each and every player to do the job that they had been asked to do. Both Ton and I went through the tactics with the boys and stressed how dangerous Kings Norton would be, especially in midfield with Rico and up front with Tom.

Despite starting the match as the better of the two teams, The Ton couldn’t make the most of their superiority and after about five minutes Kings Norton took the lead. Tom raced through to slot home to give his team a 1-0 from their first attack. The boys had been warned about his clinical predatory nature but unfortunately it wasn’t enough. To the enormous credit of the boys, The Ton got themselves back in the game via a classic counter attack. Defending a corner, The Ton won the ball back thanks to the commanding debutant Alex, who then sprinted up field before playing Shilo in down the right. With Ethan busting a gut down the left and screaming for Shilo to cross, the young Villa striker went it alone and superbly finished to equalise. The finish was amazing but the effort of Ethan must also be commended.

Going into the break all square, The Ton knew more was to come and with George now in the centre and Ethan out on the left, there was class all over the park. However, football can be cruel and you only have to ask Michael for confirmation of this. Tom ran down the right for Kings Norton and put a low cross into the box. Michael, who had the game of his life, stuck out a boot and put the ball past the stranded Dermot. Nevertheless the boys picked themselves up and got on with things. There was still a good 25 minutes to play and boy did The Ton start playing! Some of the play during the next twenty minutes was breath taking. Pace, trickery and technical ability were all on display and Amari added to his outstanding scoring record, whilst Ethan scored a screamer from distance. Amari’s second goal would be replayed again and again on Match of the Day, if only the BBC would send the cameras along for the morning! Picking the ball up on the half way line, the midfield wizard waltzed past four players before expertly finishing. Not to be outdone, Ethan scored a dazzling goal of his own. Winning the ball on the left, he skipped past a challenge before smashing the ball over the head of the Kings Norton keeper from outside of the area.

The drama wasn’t over yet! With three minutes to go and with The Ton looking in full control, Kings Norton dusted themselves off and dragged themselves back into the game. With the score now 4-3 to The Ton, Kings Norton piled forwards and could have scored from distance only for Dermot to pull off a truly world class save.

Both teams should be immensely proud of their efforts and their desire to play attractive, technically advanced football. It was the best game of football that I’ve seen this season and a perfect advert for district football. Well done to both teams!

 

Man of the Match: This was difficult as it could have been so many of you! I genuinely mean that! However, for his all action display in the centre of the park, Michael must take the accolade this week. Stepping into midfield for the first time this season, he was combative when defendning and composed when attacking.

 

Well done boys, enjoy your game on Sunday and the week ahead. Roll on South Birmingham next week!

 

Up the Ton!

Saturday 26th October 2013 @ Braemar Road

6-a-side (Year 5 only): Erdington and Saltley 0 – 0 Aston

Alfie, Daniel, Brayden, Rayhaan, Jacob, Kruize

7-a-side: Erdington and Saltley 1 – 3 Aston

Alfie, Daniel, Kieran, Leyton, Alex, Rayhaan, Kruize

Scorer: Keuize

9-a-side Erdington and Saltley 5 – 3 Aston

Dermot, Michael, Callum, Mark, Alex, Ethan, Amari, Ramello, Shilo, Tyrese, Kruize

Scorers: Ramello, Shilo x 2, Kruize, Tyrese

This was the first time that the whole squad have been together since the Phoenix game over a month ago and it only confirmed what I already knew…we’ve got one hell of a talented squad this year! Unfortunately it is just not possible to invite everyone to each game, I really wish it was!

The first game offered an opportunity for the younger members of The Ton squad to stake their claim for a place in the starting nine. It was also the first time that Kruize had represented his district and boy did he deliver! What pace and trickery! In what was a tight affair, we probably had the better of the chances, particularly towards the end of the game as Aston tired. Nevertheless we just couldn’t get the goal that we needed to claim the win. With Rayhaan pulling the strings in the centre of the park, Daniel sweeping up everything in defence and Kruize creating havoc with his pace, it was a performance that was just crying out for a slice of good fortune. Even so, the game reinforced my belief that the future of the district is in safe hands.

The second game saw some of the older heads come into the team, but the solidity that defined the first game was no longer there. After going a goal behind, the lads clawed their way back in and equalised through Kruize, only to concede again almost immediately. After thirty minutes of small sided action, Aston led the three game series 1-0 going into the 9-a-side game.

The first half of the deciding match was memorable for all of the wrong reasons, with Aston finishing almost all of their chances to take a 3-0 lead. It wasn’t that The Ton didn’t create chances, but we were simply not good enough. Players were caught out of position, effort was lacking and overall we were a mess. At half time, the lads were told in no uncertain terms that they needed to pull up their socks and play with some pride. District football is a huge honour, yet  many of the lads played during the first half as if they didn’t care. Fortunately, this team is made of pure class and the boys knew what they had to do in order to turn the tables on their local rivals.

Starting the second half like a juggernaut, The Ton scored two goals in quick succession and got on top of the game, a position we held for the remainder of the match. The passing was crisp and the attacking intention was sensational. More importantly, players held their position and stuck to their jobs. Further goals came through debutante Kruize and Ramello, as well as the exceptionally excited Tyrese! To overturn a 3-0 scoreline is a fantastic achievement and to play with so much class is brilliant. The second half is probably the best we’ve ever played as a team and I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say we could have scored eight goals. The bar has now been set high. We all now know what we’re capable of as a team and we must perform to such a high standard each and every week. If we can do this, the sky is the limit! This result also means The Ton share the Chris Smith Memorial Cup with Aston for 2013!

Man of the Match:

Six and Seven a side – Daniel for his refusal to let anybody get past him in defence.

Nine-a-side – Ethan for his second half display. By holding his position, the Wolves midfield schemer dictated play  and allowed the attackers to flood forward, safe in the knowledge that the back door hadn’t been left open.

Overall myself, Tonn and Jason were left feeling incredibly proud, as well as excited about the West Midlands 7-a-side that is just a couple of weeks away. Brilliant! Oh and what a great bunch of parents we have! Five fabulous penalties, all scored!

Up The Ton!