It was a day of mixed fortunes for Erdington and Saltley teams. The U12s met Brierley Hill & Dudley in  the West Midllands Cup semi final .

The lead up to this game was all about how good Brierley Hill and Dudley were; the outcome was a spirited and impressive performance from Erdington.

 

U12 Squad

The first ten minutes of the game were dominated by the home side. Twice Connor Ceasar was clean through on goal and twice the impressive Brierley Hill  centre back put in last ditch tackles. Erdington were very unlucky to have a goal from Connor Ceasar disallowed halfway through the first half with an  offside decision, Peter Davie then went close with an impressive run but,yet again, the centre back put in a timely challenge to block the shot.

Erdington's goalkeeper, Sean Flanaghan, helped  keep things tight at the back and made some good saves during a first half that was up hill and against a strong wind. Despite this, the pace of both Declan Sullivan and Connor Ceasar upfront gave the Brierley Hill defence plenty to think about. Erdington entered half time the better of the two side and could consider themselves unfortunate not to be leading.

The second half started with Brierley Hill and Dudley putting Erdington under some pressure, and after ten minutes this pressure told, when the forward broke free of his marker and slotted neatley into the far corner. That was to be their last clean cut chance on goal as Erdington went in search of the equaliser. With time running out, players were pushed forward and  Ali Brauns made the switch from centre back to centre forward. This move  immediately made an impact when he won his side a penalty in the final minute of the game, having been clean through on goal. Harry Atkins stepped up to take the penalty but found his spot kick luckily saved by the keeper, and the rebound ended up over the bar.

When the final whistle blew, every player was left wondering how the result was not different. The semi final was more worthy of a final and Erdington were very unlucky not to force extra time and in some eyes even force a win. The performance, however, was pleasing. Brierley Hill will not come up against another side that will push them this close all season and with a league meeting next week, it gives Erdington chance to pick themselves up off the floor and show them why they have drew plaudits from all teams they have faced this season. Every single player in the yellow shirts should be proud of their performances today, and who knows, on another day,  it might  have been a different story.
Well played boys....keep your heads up, you were all a credit to your schools and the district today.

 

Devante

The U13s met with more success against Cannock schools. With a strong wind behind them they raced into a two goal lead by five minutes through Devante Venables. The first half was totally dominated by Erdington and it was surprising that only one more goal was scored before half time through Aaron O'Neil.

The second half was a more balanced affair and , although Cannock pulled a goal back, Erdington ran out worthy winners winning by 3 - 1.

The U14s travelled to Stoke, buoyant after their recent cup semi final success. Kicking with the wind in the first half they took the lead through Connor Doyle. Although further chances were created the score remained 1 - 0 at half time.

Connor

It certainly proved a game of two halves! Stoke quickly scored two goals and with it all confidence seemed to disappear from the Erdington side. A further three goals were conceded before the final whistle. This was a very disappointing result and a definite setback for the U14 side

The U15s met Coventry in a West Midlands league fixture. Once again the team was deprived of key players withdrawing at late notice due to injury which left  Erdington  with eleven fit players. In a keenly contested first half chances were created at both ends and  Coventry took the lead with ten seconds to go before half time.

Jack

Despite this setback Erdington started brightly in the second half and ,although they  played good football in two thirds of the pitch, they lacked a decisive cutting edge up front . Coventry went further ahead after ten minutes and scored a third in the latter stages, as Erdington pushed men forward to salvage something from the game. Despite the result much can be taken from the game. Jordan Arnett and Jack Austin in the heart of the Erdington defence,  had outstanding games along with Eliot Bradford at left back, whist Sam Elgar and Tom Hulin worked tirelessly throughout the game.

 Forthcoming Fixtures

Saturday 21st March

• U12s v Brierley Hill & Dudley (h) in the West Mids league @ Washwood Heath Technology College, B8 2AS. k.o.10:00 Players to confirm availability with Phil Higby and meet by 9:10

  Squad: Sean Flanaghan, Ali Brauns,Ali Kenewa, Ben Hurdman, Matt Watson, Remi Bell
  Peter Davie, Kane Donald, Adam Shaylor, Remel Cockett, Connor Ceasar, Declan Sullivan,
  James Price, Kwazie Tuffour, Harry Atkins, Yousef 
  Standby:
  John Stevens, Andrei Benjamin, Kamari Edmede

• U13s v Kings Norton & South Birmingham (h) in the West Mids league @ Washwood Heath Technology College, B8 2AS. k.o.10:00.  Players to confirm availability with Scott Saunders and meet by 9:15

• U14s v Coventry  (a) @ Copsewood S & S C, Allard Way, Binley CV3 1HS in the West Mids league k.o. 10:00. Players to confirm availability with Liam Burke and meet at the Fox & Goose by 8:40

• U15s v Stoke (h) @Washwood Heath Technology College B8 2AS in the West Mids league k.o. 10:00. Players to confirm availability with Tom Westwood and meet by 9:15