Birmingham Primary Schools FA

This year five of the eight primary schools football associations in the city of Birmingham were able to take part in the annual BPSFA Inter-District competition. At the end of the league stage of the competition, the teams looked like this:

1. Aston & West

2. Sutton Coldfield

3. Erdington

4. South Birmingham

5. East Birmingham

Semi-Finals

In accordance with tradition, the top four teams played off in the semi-finals, which finished:

Aston 6 South Birmingham 0

The Final

The final took place on Wednesday 9 April 2003, at the Aston University Playing Fields in Great Barr, and thanks is due to Mr Bernard Day, and to West Bromwich Albion, for making it possible for BPSFA to use these facilities. Thanks is also due to Mr Mark Cross for his superb organisation of the whole competition, as usual.

Manager: Mr Richard Yates Manager: Mr Bernard Day

Assistant: Mr Gerald Rothwell Colours: Red & white halves,

Colours: Claret & blue and red shorts.

Officials: Referee Mr Barry Lawrie

Assistants Mr Mark Cross, Mr Andrew Wills

The match kicked at 5.40 pm on a cold, dry evening, with the threat of rain looming. The large pitch was in good condition, flat and dry, and the attendance totalled 101 (and a dog) at the kick-off.

The opening minutes were tense, with Aston going forward at speed. This strategy worked well, for in the 4^th minute Nathaniel Laing ran through the middle and hit a low shot into the net, to put Aston one up. Sutton woke up and exerted considerable pressure on the Aston goal, but it was Aston who looked dangerous on the break. Sutton peppered the Aston goal with shots, then Aston broke away, but suddenly Sutton countered with a long shot from Conal Powell, which bounced tantalisingly over the goalkeeper and into the net.

Three minutes later Sutton were ahead. After a long run down the right, the ball was squared from the goal-line, and Marcus Davies scored from close in.

After half-time, play swung from end to end, with all sorts of chances. Sutton, looking stylish and passing the ball accurately, forced an Aston defender to head the ball against his own post, while at the other end the Sutton goalie smothered several good Aston chances, and it was Aston’s turn to hit the woodwork. Gradually Aston began to dominate play, but could not convert any of their chances. Then, with one minute to go, they equalized with a smart move down the right which Sebastian Craven forced home.

Five minutes into extra time, Sutton scored the decisive goal when James Hurst hit a high, looping shot into the far corner of the goal, way out of the reach of the goalkeeper, and this time Aston could not reply, for all their efforts on goal.

It was a splendid game of primary football between two good teams, each with many high quality players who will do well at secondary level. Well done, boys - an excellent advertisement for schools’ football!

Final score: Sutton Coldfield 3 Aston 2 after extra time