Saturday 2nd November 2019 @ Twickenham Road Playing Fields, Kingstanding

Representative Match

Erdington and Saltley 4 – 9 Gloucester

Team: Jack, George, Tobi, Joel, Dylan, Shane, Omari, Ebrima, Andrius and Mahliq

Goals: Dylan x 2, Ebrima and Andrius

Man of the Match: George, Dylan, Omari and Tobi – all four boys left everything out on the pitch

As the rain poured down and the temperature fell, the mood of the team as a whole also plummeted allowing Gloucester to capitalise and claim a deserved victory. Yet despite the one-sided nature of the scoreline, there were still plenty of positives to take from the game, alongside a number of important lessons.

The opening 20 minutes witnessed us play some of our best football of the season. For all of our talent, the sum of our parts has not always been more than our whole. There have been too many occasions this season when we have played as individuals, rather than a team. However, this was not the case during the opening third of yesterday’s game. We passed the ball for fun and attacked in numbers. More importantly, we also worked tirelessly to defend as a team. It was the perfect combination.

Our two first goals were unopposed and meant the boys raced into a two goal lead courtesy of Andrius and Dylan. Everything was going according to plan but then the rain grew heavier and the boys got colder.

It was then that Gloucester struck and gained a grip of the game. From two down to leading three two, Gloucester tightened their hold of the match and rarely looked like loosening it from that point on, despite flashes of Ton brilliance.

In defence, George and Tobi threw their bodies on the line in an attempt to repel every Gloucester attack, despite the fact that they were increasingly outnumbered as the game drew on. As well as defending with his life, George also offered quality in attack, threading one memorable ball through the eye of the needle to start a superb Ton attack.

In midfield, the rain meant it was difficult to control the ball but Dylan and Omari continued to orchestrate attacks, playing some superb football from start to finish.

At 6-3 down, we scored through an excellent Ebrima counter attack to give ourselves a glimmer of hope in the closing ten minutes. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be as Gloucester capitalised on our stretched team to put the game to bed.

There is so much quality in this team that it is only a matter of time before things fall into place. The results will improve. Lets just hope the weather does the same!

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

P.S. A huge thank you to FC Elite for helping us put the game on. At short notice and despite the awful conditions, FC Elite allowed us to use their facilities for free, even opening up and setting the pitch up for us. If you’re in search of a local family-orientated club, look no further than FC Elite! Find out more about them at:

http://www.fcelite.co.uk

Saturday 19th October 2019 @ Vale Satdium, Castle Vale

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League

Erdington and Saltley 3-2 South Birmingham

Team: Danny, Ethan, Hughey, Reo, Markie, Lennon, Keon, Jason, Joshua, Kayden and Oscar

Goals: Markie x 2 and Joshua

Man of the Match: Kayden – changed the game after slotting in up front

Today we showed our ability to roll our sleeves up and fight as a team. After falling behind during the opening minutes of the game, we bounced back to lead, only to see South level with ten minutes to go. Not to be deterred, the boys claimed the three points after taking the lead for the second time in the game.

Recent weeks have been awash with goals. Today was about digging in and standing firm. Today we showed true character, with all boys fighting for the cause and backing each other up.

After falling behind to an early South goal, we attacked in numbers, hitting the woodwork and going close through Markie several times.

As the second period passed the halfway mark, the score was still 1-0 to South. Enter Kayden. Playing up front, away from his normal spot on the wing, Kayden chased every ball from the second he stepped on the pitch. Putting the South keeper under pressure, he won the ball back before crossing to Markie who finished to tie the game.

The improvement wasn’t just led by Kayden but also Keon who switch from striker to winger and began to exert more influence on the game.

The final third started with a Markie goal; The Ton captian scoring after 20 seconds. Yet despite taking the lead for the first time and creating chances, the boys were pegged back by South who levelled with ten minutes remaining.

Once again the boys showed brilliant spirit to bounce back and score for a third and final time when Joshua scored at the back post.

The drama was far from over though. South were determined to score a third of their own and flooded forward at every opportunity as the clock ticked down. But that was just an invitation for the boys to dig in even deeper. Keon and Jason incessantly defended their respective wings. Osacr through his body on the line up front, before dropping into defence to support the trio of Reo, Ethan and Hughey who was repelling everything that South threw at them. Likewise, Danny pulled off an incredibly important save, rushing out and diving to push a JP shot out for a corner. While Markie and Josh dropped deep in midfield to shield their backline.

The final tackle of the game fittingly fell to Lennon. A sliding, diving, squirming, full force of a tackle. The kind that the midfield enforcer has mad his trademark over the past 18 months. The kind that he made all game. Is there anyone who celebrates a tackle as much as Lennon?!

What a performance. What spirit. Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 12th October 2019 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA Under 10s League

Erdington and Saltley A 1-5 Erdington and Saltley B

A Team: Jack, Reo, George, Jason, Ebrima, Omari, Uzi, Andrius and Joel

Goals: Ebrima

B Team: Olaf, Yaw, Cairo, Rhys, Kaiden, Mahliq, Younussa, Kian and Shane

Goals: Shane x 3, Mahliq and Rhys

Man of the Match: Shane – a clinical performance from the centre midfielder

 

Erdington and Saltley C 1-6 Sutton Coldfield B

Team: Remi, Sidney, Tobi, Shuan, Taio, Shae, Jack, Daniel and Leo

Man of the Match: Shaun – tireless midfield performance

 

Under 11s Representative Game

Erdington and Saltley 6-3 Afan Nedd

Team: Cory, Danny, Hughey, James, Cole, Devaunte, Kortney, Jahkadi, Markie, Ethan, Joshua, Jason, Kayden and Oscar

Goals: Markie x 2, Ethan, Joshua and Kayden

Man of the Match: Kayden – another fine performance from the in-form winger

 

While the under 11s continued their unbeaten start to the season, the under 10s B team ignited their season. Unfortunately for the under 10s A and C teams, their efforts were not rewarded and they ended the morning empty handed.

The performance of the weekend undoubtedly belongs to the B team, who performed as a team and put on a stunning illustration of where hard work and teamwork can get you. From start to finish, they rolled up their sleeves and put in a resolute performance, with a fair amount of skill and flair along the way. The speed in which they have gelled as a team is brilliant and it bodes well for an exciting season.

The pick of their five goals saw Mahliq inventively back heel the ball across the face of the goal while running away from the target and towards the corner flag. This audacious moment ripped through his opponent’s defence and left Shane in the clear to bag his third of the game.

The A team were left disappointed at the result, as their improved second half performance wasn’t enough to earn them their first points of the season. Nevertheless, their is too much talent in this team for this challenging start to the season to continue for much longer.

A fortnight since their morale boosting 1-0 win over Wolverhampton, the C team couldn’t make it two wins from two games, as they found a clinical Sutton B too much on this occasion. Despite giving it their best, the boys failed to take enough of the chances they created but left the field with their head held high, safe in the knowledge that they created considerably more chances than when they downed Wolves in their last game.

The final game of the season saw the under 11s produce their best football of the season in the opening third of their international game against Afan Nedd from Wales. With captain Markie running the line superbly and Ethan, Josh and Hughey giving the team a solid spine, the boys raced into a four goal lead. Continuing his electric form of late, Kayden was causing all manner of problems down the left and was rightly rewarded when he tucked away a brilliant team move that started with Oscar at left back and saw the ball moved from back to front and through the thirds. It really was a thing of beauty!

Afan Nedd picked themselves off the canvas at the start of the middle twenty and showed their quality as they bossed the second period of the game. Yet despite the boys from Wales clawing their way back into the game, the Ton boys had too much firepower for them and notched six goals on a morning when Ethan, Markie and Josh all scored for the fourth game in a row.

Overall it was a thoroughly entertaining morning and one to be incredibly proud of as 40 boys pulled on the Erdington and Saltley jersey!

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

 

 

Saturday 5th October 2019 @ Vale Satdium, Castle Vale

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League

Aston 1 – 9 Erdington and Saltley

Team: Danny, Reo, Ethan, Hughey, James, Oscar, Markie, Lennon, Jason, Keon, Ebrima and Joshua

Goals: Markie x 3, Joshua x 3, Keon, James

Man of the Match: Keon – A menace down the wing throughout the game

 

The scoreline suggests that this game was a formality. However, nothing could be further from the truth, with a flurry of late goals putting a gloss on the result that is arguably unfair to a talented Aston side.

However, even if the scoreline is slightly flattering, the performance was still superb.

As they have done in recent weeks, the boys passed the ball with confidence, with the five under 10s lads at the heart of everything the team did positive. With Lennon and Markie controlling the middle of the pitch, it was left to Jason, Keon and Josh, the latter of whom bagged his second hat trick in successive weeks, to cause mayhem down the flanks.

Their pass and directness paved the way for the team to take control of the game, with three of our four goals coming from right wing crosses and back post finishes.

The third period started with The Ton boys leading 3-1 and the Aston boys still in with a chance of at least sharing the points. Fortunately for us, we found another gear in the final twenty minutes and powered into an unassailable lead.

The most pleasing thing about the performance, apart from the goals, was the confidence displayed by the lads when in possession. They never panicked when put under pressure and routinely tried to play the ball on the deck and from back to front. The boys worked their socks off for each other and remained positive throughout. It was a joy to watch and another reason for the boys to be proud of their efforts.

Well done lads!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 28th September 2019 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA Under 10s League

Erdington and Saltley A  L – W Sutton Coldfield A

Erdington and Saltley B 3-3 Sutton Coldfield B

Erdington and Saltley C 1-0 Wolverhampton

 

Under 11s Representative Game

Erdington and Saltley 10 – 1 Sandwell

Team: Danny, Corey, Hughey, Ethan, Devante, Cole, Kortney, Jahkadi, Markie, Joshua, Kayden, Oscar, Lennon and Keon

Goals: Markie x 4, Joshua x 2, Ethan, Oscar, Lennon and Keon

 

It’s easy to get carried away with a good result. It’s equally easy to get carried away with a heavy defeat. In truth, each end of the spectrum is about learning.

The under 10s A suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of an on-form Sutton Codfield but soon after the game, many of the boys were larking around and playing football as the under 11s took on Sandwell. And so it should be. The boys were not at their best but that’s okay – they’re 8 and 9 years old! I often have an off day at work, especially on Mondays!

They have a chance in two weeks to show what they have learned and move on.

Despite the tough outcome of the game, Andrius and Uzi stood out for their tireless work rate and refusal to give in, even when the possibility of victory was well and truly gone. Such spirit will see us achieve much this season.

The under 10s B team shared a barnstorming game with their Sutton Coldfield counterparts, with goals coming from Mahliq, Kian and Younusa. Throughout the game, the boys showed sublime skill and many positive signs of their  burgeoning camaraderie. In their first game as a team, they played with a pleasing sense of unity and bravery, as exemplified by Mahliq and Younusa who were daring in attack, pulling the creative strings throughout and Yaw and Cairo who worked tirelessly in defence.

However, the result of the day goes to Erdington and Saltley C, who dug in deep and defended with their lives to snatch a 1-0 victory against an excellent Wolverhampton side. If truth be told, it would not have been unfair if Wolves had left Vale Stadium with all three points. Yet full credit must go to our boys who were incredible! They defended with every part of their body, throwing their heads, backs, bottoms and feet in the way of everything Wolves threw at them. Each one of the boys were immense and played like giants. Each tackle, block and header was greeted with cheers from the appreciative crowd and back pats from the united teammates. Brilliant!

The final game of an action packed morning saw the under 11s play Sandwell in a historic game. Not only was it the first ever meeting between the two associations, but it was Sandwell’s first game at under 11s for over a decade.

The Black Country boys started the game brightly and took the lead thanks to a sublime lobbed finish.

This proved the turning point and the game swung our way with the score 5-1 in our favour by the end of the first third. A clinical ten minute period of shooting from Markie put the game out of Sandwell’s reach.

While the goals were pleasing, the manner in which they were created was even more pleasing. Just as they had done last week, the boys passed the ball throughout the game, playing in a selfless way from start to finish. It’s early in the season but the evidence suggests the boys are developing into a strong unit that is greater than the sum of their parts.

Attackers understandably often receive the majority of the plaudits, but once again Hughie, Danny and the rest of the defensive unit were excellent, giving the opposition nothing but scraps. This was perfectly seen in the second third when Cory was between the sticks and only touched the ball once.

So overall, it was an excellent morning for The Ton. We learned just as much from the defeat as the victories. We saw our youngest team pull off a superb backs against the wall victory and we welcomed Sandwell back into the district fold.

 

Men of the Match:

Andrius and Uzi – never gave up when things got tough

Mahliq – a superb box to box display

Tobi – a defensive masterclass

Ethan – a dynamo in midfield

 

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 21st September 2019 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA League

Erdington and Saltley W-L East Birmingham

Team: Danny, Hughey, Yaw, Rhys, Kortney, Jahkadi, Joshua, Oscar, Kayden, Ethan, Markie, Younusa, Ebrima and Uzi

Goals: Hughey, Joshua, Oscar, Kayden, Ethan, Ebrima and Markie

Man of the Match: Joshua – A hat-trick and an all round superb midfield display

 

Against a spirited and hard working East Birmingham team, the under 11 boys found their shooting boots and took home three points in the opening BPSFA league game of 2019/20.

While the best goal of the game came from an East boot, the quality of our play and relentless nature of our teamwork was also something to behold. From the outset, the boys worked as a team and looked to counter attack in numbers.

Ebrima continued his rich goal scoring form from the previous week to bag his fifth goal for the under 11s, although he wasn’t the only under 10 to impress in the black of the under 11s. Uzi, Younussa, Yaw and Rhys also shone in a way that belied the fact that they were playing their first 9-a-side game for the under 11s.

With the four-man back line (marshalled by Hughie) holding firm and Danny in fine form between the sticks, the boys ending the second third in a commanding position.

To their credit, East Birmingham came out on the attack and bagged a couple of great goals of their own. Yet despite this initial blow, the boys once again confirmed their dominance as Markie, Oscar and Kayden put the game beyond doubt.

A superb performance from all the boys – from Ethan anchoring the midfield to Josh driving forward. The lads were a credit to us all.

Well done boys!

Up The Ton!

Saturday 14th September 2019 @ Vale Stadium, Castle Vale

Birmingham Primary Schools’ FA 7-a-side Championship

 

Black Team: Danny, Ethan, Hughey, Jahkadi, Markie, Joshua and Ebrima

Played five, won five, conceded zero

Goals: Markie x 7, Ebrima x 4, Joshua x 3

Man of the Match: All of the lads!

Gold Team: Corey, Rhys, Kortney, Yaw, Younusa, Omari, Uzi and Kayden

Man of the Match: This was a tough one as the year five boys excelled against older opponents and the year six boys led by example. However, for his tireless running and energy, Uzi nicks it this week.

 

Hot on the heals of the under 10s who were crowned BPSFA 7-a-side champions the week before, the under 11s retained the Mark Cross Shield and ensured ESPSFA lifted the title for the fourth time in six years!

Before discussing the success of the black team, it is worth noting the significant achievements of the gold side. Consisting almost exclusively of year 5 players, the gold side were phenomenal throughout the morning. Tight in defence and brave in attack, the boys put in some excellent performances and proved that the year 5 lads are more than capable of playing up a year!

Led by captain Markie, the black team put on a show of true unity and immense team spirit. They passed the ball selflessly, always putting the team above personal glory, and countered with zest and as one. It was a joy to watch, especially as these characteristics haven’t always been easy to come by for ESPSFA sides over recent years.

On their way to lifting the title, the boys won all of their games, without conceding a single goal. Normally the attackers steak the limelight, but the back three of Ethan, Hughey and Jahkadi, ably supported by Danny in goal, were incredible and fully deserved their shut-out for the morning. It was out best defensive performance for some time.

In attack, the lightening quick trio of Markie, Joshua and Ebrima, who stepped up from the under 10s to make his under 11s debut, countered with energy and purpose, bagging some brilliant team goals along the way.

This was the morning when everything clicked into place for this team. This was the morning when they became a real team!

Well done champions!

Up The Ton!