Saturday 16th March @ Maypole FC

East Birmingham 2 – 6 Erdington and Saltley

With East Birmingham strengthened by the addition of several new players, The Ton knew that all previous form was out the window. We were playing against the unknown. Therefore we needed to get off to a good start and ensure that we won all the 50/50 balls, unlike against South Birmingham on Wednesday.

Welcoming Trey back into the frontline, The Ton attacked from the first whistle to the last and played some very good free-flowing football at times. After failing to convert three or four early chances, The Ton were given a great opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty following a late East tackle. Jayden stepped up and cooly slotted the spot kick to the keepers right, leaving him with no chance. This spurred on The Ton and when Trey played a rampaging Callum through on goal,the nippy striker made no mistake, running onto the pass and firing past the keeper at the first time of asking. More chances came and went. However, moments before the break, a rapid Erdington and Saltley break down the right led to a East own goal, when the unfortunate defender put the ball into his own net. Had he not done so, the predatory Callum, who was waiting on the back post, would surely have done so.

 

A 3-0 halt time lead was no more than we deserved and we went into the second half determined to add to our goal tally. Sahib (who played in a total of three different positions!) scored the easiest goal of his life. Going up field for a corner, the centre back was still hanging around the back post when East cleared the ball. However, Josh S rifled a goal-bound shot in, only for Sahib to sneak in and get a touch, guiding the ball in from one whole yard! The Ton’s next goal was something special. Sam picked up the ball in his usual right-back position before playing it down the wing to Cedric. The skilful Cedric let the ball roll past him before playing a first touch pass through to Treymaine. The fact that he played the ball so quick meant the East defence was sliced in half and Trey was one-on-one with their keeper. Rather than smashing the ball past the keeper, Trey decided to run with it, before rounding the keeper and calmly slotting the ball away. Both Cedric and Trey should be immensely proud of the part they played in this great goal. Still smarting from the fact that Sahib stole his goal, Josh S ventured up field to score with a shot from the edge of the area. To their credit, East Birmingham never gave up and scored a couple of second half goals of their own, although The Ton should be far from pleased with the part they played in each goal!

 

Nevertheless, this was an assured performance from The Ton and meant they cemented their place in the top four, still with a chance of claiming third. At the start of the season, I hoped to finish fourth, although this was only in my wildest dreams. The lads deserve so much credit for the way in which they have played throughout the season! We have held our own with every team we have played against. However, it is not over just yet as we have a game against Kings Norton on Wednesday, followed by a crucial quarter-final on Saturday.

Come on boys, we can do it!

 

Team: Alex; Sam, William, Jayden, Michael; Sahib, Ellis-Jay, Josh S, Ross; Callum, Trey

Subs: Karter, Cedric, Ethan, Josh F

Scorers: Trey, Jayden, Callum, Sahib, Josh S, OG

M.O.M : Sahib

Up The Ton!

Wednesday 13th March 2013 @ Braemar Road

Erdington and Saltley 1 – 3 South Birmingham

The Ton went into their first midweek fixture of the season on the back of three straight victories, all of which came against opposition positioned higher in the table. With Treymaine and Karter absent, Callum was pushed back up front following his recent spell at the heart of The Ton’s midfield. The back-four was made up of Jayden, Michael, Sam and Wiliiam, whilst the midfield five welcomed back Ross, with Josh S and Sahib making it a centre three. Out on the wings were Ellis Jay, looking to score for the fourth game in a row and Ethan.

The first half was a very scrappy affair with South Birmingham perhaps edging proceedings. However, there was very little to separate the two teams, with The Ton determined to spoil South’s potential championship winning party by denying them the win they so craved. In terms of chances, The Ton’s best effort came from a Jayden free kick on the edge of the area. His curling effort looked destined to hit the back of the net, only for the South defender to clear.

At half time the players were asked to up their intensity levels and to ensure that they were the first to every 50/50 ball, as well as winning more of the ariel battles. Five minutes into the second period, The Ton were awarded their second direct free kick of the game and this time Jayden did what he does best. Curling the ball over the wall and into the top corner, the South keeper was left with no chance and The Ton had a lead to defend. They did this heroically until the final ten minutes when South stepped up their pursuit of an equaliser. After levelling the scores at 1-1, South looked to snatch a late victory and threw men forward at every opportunity. However, the next meaningful opportunity fell to The Ton, with Sahib firing on the turn, only for his effort to go straight to the keeper. This was a glorious chance to regain the lead but it wasn’t meant to be. Moments later, South whipped in a free kick and with The Ton sitting too deep, it squirmed it’s way past Alex. With only minutes remaining, The Ton pushed on in hope of grabbing an equaliser. This meant the defence was left exposed to a break and break is exactly what South did. Scoring late on, South gained a 3-1 victory and with it the league title.

There is no denying that the scoreline does not do us justice and on another day we would have got something out of the match. We certainly deserved something from it. Nevertheless, I am still exceptionally proud of my boys and their efforts. They gave a team who remained unbeaten for six months one hell of a game! We need to learn to concentrate for a full 50 minutes but I am confident that we will do just that over the coming games. With a double header against East Birmingham and a midweek game against Kings Norton, all is still to play for. The more points we can get, the more favourable draw we can get for the quarter final (or at least that is the theory!).

Special mention to Alex who pulled off a number of great saves, deservedly earning himself his second consecutive M.O.M.

 

The final word should go to South Birmingham – congratulations to everyone involved with the team. Deserved league champions. Also well done to their captain Mikey who despite the joyous nature of the occasion still found time to come straight over to The Ton to offer his praise – true sportsman.

 

Team: Alex; Sam, William, Jayden, Michael; Josh S, Ross, Sahib, Ethan (Bailey), Ellis-Jay; Callum

Scorer: Jayden

M.O.M: Alex

 

Up The Ton!