ABBEY'S FOUR-IN-A-ROW!

Abbey made ESPSFA history on Thursday night at GOALS, Star City, as they retained their crown for an incredible fourth consecutive season; just like their league team, Abbey’s domination at Year 3/4 level continues unabated - no other school has won a title or trophy of any description for more than three straight seasons. However, they needed a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out win over local rivals SS Peter & Paul to take the trophy back to their ever-bulging cabinet.

Sixteen teams trooped over to Star City to compete in the tournament in four groups of four. A glut of goals allied with terrific saves, plus thrills and spills galore, lead to an exciting group phase with every child giving their all for their school.

In Group A, Short Heath emerged unbeaten as winners, with Harper Bell runners-up. Joining those two in the quarter-finals from Group B, were Abbey who cruised through along with Timberley. Group C was dominated by Brownmead who won all three games and they were accompanied in the quarters by Lea Forest who needed a 2-1 victory over Rosary to book a last-eight berth. Finally, in Group D, an ominous-looking SS Peter & Paul were first with The Oval nicking second place and so the 1/4 finals were complete.

The quarter finals saw Abbey saunter past The Oval, 3-0, while SSPP went one better, downing Timberley 4-0. Harper Bell took a surprise lead against Brownmead, but the Pencroft Road outfit hit back and eventually eased to a 3-1 win. Short Heath joined the semi-final party with a 2-0 triumph over Lea Forest.

Abbey and SSPP were kept apart in the semis: the reigning champions took Short Heath side with SSPP tackling Brownmead. Despite the Heathens’ valiant efforts, Abbey were just too strong and they secured their place in the final with a 2-0 victory. SSPP also had their work cut out as they went into battle against a hitherto impressive Brownmead. Mead started brightly and went ahead early on but the black and whites weren’t to be denied and overturned that deficit to ultimately win 2-1.

Was anyone really surprised that the final would consist of Abbey and SSPP? Well, if there was an air of inevitability about that, there was even more of an air of inevitability that neither side could be separated after eight minutes of pounding, tub-thumping football. The only thing missing was a goal; Abbey thought they had one, but the ball was dead, awaiting a restart, when they netted. Neither side could break the other down though and it was with that oh so familiar air that penalties were needed to find a winner. After three spot-kicks each it was 2-2 – sudden death ensued. The torment went on - and on - until at 7-7, SSPP erred, Abbey did not, and the trophy was theirs for an unparalleled fourth successive year. A truly quite remarkable feat.