Saturday 14th September 2013 @ Jaffray Road, Erdington

Erdington and Saltley 4 – 2 Phoenix United

Scorers: Shilo x 2, Tyrese, Ramello

Following last week’s sublime performance I was hoping for more of the same. Luckily for me, this team just keeps on giving! Despite scoring considerably fewer goals, the quality of football on show from the lads was breath taking at times. Anyone who witnessed young Shilo Waldo calmly slot away his first goal, following a five pass move that started with goalkeeper Dermot and took in the defence, midfield and attack along the way, will still be talking about it tomorrow at work or on the playground. Pure class!

Even though we conceded two goals in the last five minutes, we defended resolutely throughout the match, despite missing the uncountable influence of Ethan who was on Wolves duty. Similarly encouraging was the zest with which we passed the ball around on the surface and the ease with which we adapted to a new system.

Special mention must be saved for George who controlled the centre of the park, following last week’s efforts on the wing. He was without doubt the man of the match and gave both Liam and I much to think about with the preseason fast coming to an end.

Well done lads, what a great performance!

Thank you for a great game Phoenix and good luck in your upcoming season!

 

As things stand at the moment, there is no game now untul September 28th, so rest up and enjoy the rest!

 

Up the Ton!

Saturday 7th September 2013 @ Wast Hills, Birmingham City FC Training Ground

Erdington and Saltley 17 – 0 Marston Green

Scorers:

Amari x 4 Ramello x 3  Shilo x 3  Jacob x 2  Ethan x 2  Daniel x 1  Tyrese x 1  Rayhaan x 1

Man of the match: Ramello

Considering this was The Ton’s first game of the preseason, there is a great deal to be happy about! However, before I start waxing lyrical about The Ton, I would like to praise the opposition. Marston Green FC are a Sunday league team and a fine one at that, which means they were always going to be up against it when squaring up to a district team. Nevertheless, they showed a huge amount of courage and bucket loads of determination, refusing to drop their heads at any stage in the match. We would all like to wish them the very best for their season and thank them for agreeing to play us at very short notice.

 

Whilst I’m thanking people, thanks to the Blues for letting us use their great facilities at Wast Hills. As an Aston Villa season ticket holder, that hurt me a little be to say that!

 

To the match…a clean sheet, resolute defending, free-flowing passing, dribbling that would make Stanley Matthews jealous, sublime goals and some mesmerising attacking play. The boys showed what they’re about and left the adoring Erdington and Saltley supporters wishing that the season would hurry up and start!

 

Before the match I asked the lads to do three things for me:

1. Hold their 2-4-2 formation

2. Attack with flair and freedom

3. Play the ball out from the back and allow Dermot to start as many of our attacks as possible

I’m proud to say that they lads did all three of these things, which bodes well for the future.

There are still things we need to work on and they’ll be many battles ahead, but as a starting point, it’s a very good one!

 

Well done lads! Bring on the Phoenix!

 

Up the Ton!

Saturday 20th July 2013 @ Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club

Sports Co 1 – 6 Erdington and Saltley

Scorers: Amari, Rayhaan x2, Shilo, Ramello, Ethan

July 2oth 2013, remember the date! That’s the date when the Erdington and Saltley squad of 2013/2014 played their first game together, but to the untrained eye it looked as if they had been playing together for years!

The whole squad came together (minus George and Tyreese) for a friendly against local Sunday league side Sports Co FC. After a understandably nervous opening five minutes, Erdington and Saltley found themselves 1-0 down to the home side. However, this was the only blip in an otherwise perfect morning!

With the nerves out of the way and the team switched from 2-3-3 to 3-3-2, The Ton settled into their stride and played some eye catching football. Both keepers, Alfie and Dermot played the ball out from the back, looking to build attacking moves from defence, rather than lumping the ball forward. Every outfield player passed the ball around on the floor with great confidence and never panicked when put under pressure from Sports Co. This was without doubt the most pleasing aspect of the game. The quality of the passing was breathtaking at times and fills the management team with a huge amount of confidence and excitement on the eve of the new season.

Every player deserves a mention but I would be here all day if I did that, so I’ll have to keep it brief! Both Amari and Shilo looked a menace up front thanks to their willingness to run at the defenders with the ball at their feet, whilst Ramello covered every blade of grass on the pitch! As mentioned above, both Dermot and Alfie released the ball quickly from goal and allowed the team to create many goal scoring opportunities. In defence, Michael and Ethan looked like seasoned pros, rather than two lads playing their first game in a new position, for a new team! Like I said, I could mention every player individually but I I’ll be here forever! What a great performance! What a team!

Well done boys, you should all be rightly proud of your efforts yesterday! I certainly am!

Enjoy the start of the six weeks holidays!

Up the Ton!