Champs Lay Down Marker!
By Joe Perkins
Abbey take max points; Hillstone match champs haul; Hale and P&P in unbeaten starts.
Tuesday evening saw the new season kick-off with twelve schools heading to various destinations as La Liga opened the 2018-19 ESPSFA campaign.
Reigning champions Abbey ventured across to Yardley and wasted no time in sending out an early warning to their rivals as they look for ‘three-in-a-row’ league titles. The champs took on hosts Yardley Youths and Timberley in what looked like a mouth-watering opening night and emerged with a maximum six points. Abbey raced into a two-goal lead against the Youths and the home-side feared the worst but in a game that flowed from end-to-end, Yardley gave the champions a fright, but Abbey hung on to win an epic encounter, 4-3. The amber and blacks made it a 100% start to the season as they downed a battling Timberley side, 4-2. In the evening’s other game at Yardley, the Youths controlled affairs against Timberley, but a goalkeeping error gifted the Timbers an equaliser and the hosts had to be content with a point.
Blakenhale were the hosts for Audley and ESPSFA Cup holders SS Peter & Paul. Hale opened against Audley and took the lead after 5 minutes, but Audley equalised following a swift counter-attack. Two smart finishes established a 3-1 half-time advantage for Blakenhale and with no further scoring in a tight second period, ‘hale had their first three pints of the season. SS Peter & Paul commenced their season in a ding-dong battle with Audley in which the black’n’whites took the points with a 3-2 win. P&P were then involved in an absorbing and entertaining fixture with Blakenhale in which P&P needed a last-gasp strike from long distance to earn them a share of the spoils.
Over in Shard End, Hillstone, impressive in their debut season last term, got off to the best possible start as they defeated Gunter 8-0 - Gunter improved vastly in the second stanza after a shaky opening first half. Gunter picked themselves up to take on Short Heath and took an early lead. They then played the rest of the first half with their backs against the wall. However, the Pype Hayes side conceded right before half time and in the second period, the Heathens came out 'all guns blazing' scoring three times without reply, winning the game 4-1. The final game of the evening saw Hillstone go behind early on from a Short Heath set-piece. Hillstone’s players needed a half-time grilling from their coach following a ragged first half in which they were fortunate to be just 1 down. The Stone emerged with far more energy and vigour in the second half and they quickly levelled. However, they fell behind to yet another set piece but two well worked goals saw ‘stone nudge in front. In a frantic finale, Heath gave everything and with 30 seconds left sent their ‘keeper forward for a corner but Hillstone won possession and broke, scoring in an empty goal to win the game 4-2.
Finally, in sun-drenched Nechells, Rosary and Nansen made the short journey from Alum Rock to take on hosts, St Matthew’s. The opening fixture saw Rosary take the lead against St Matt’s but the home-side, clad in their sparkling new yellow and black kit, levelled and though chances came and went at both ends, the game ended 1-1. Nansen the opened their campaign against Rosary and were indebted to their goalkeeper as they secured a 0-0 draw. The Nansen custodian made several excellent stops and was brave and courageous in doing so. St Matt’s then returned to the field for the final game of the evening and were involved in a tremendous game in which they led 3-1 with three minutes to go. Nansen then bundled one in to give themselves hope of a salvaging a point which they eventually did with almost the last kick of a great game of football.
A brilliant start to the new season - the best league in the West Midlands is back and don’t we just love it!
Reigning champions Abbey ventured across to Yardley and wasted no time in sending out an early warning to their rivals as they look for ‘three-in-a-row’ league titles. The champs took on hosts Yardley Youths and Timberley in what looked like a mouth-watering opening night and emerged with a maximum six points. Abbey raced into a two-goal lead against the Youths and the home-side feared the worst but in a game that flowed from end-to-end, Yardley gave the champions a fright, but Abbey hung on to win an epic encounter, 4-3. The amber and blacks made it a 100% start to the season as they downed a battling Timberley side, 4-2. In the evening’s other game at Yardley, the Youths controlled affairs against Timberley, but a goalkeeping error gifted the Timbers an equaliser and the hosts had to be content with a point.
Blakenhale were the hosts for Audley and ESPSFA Cup holders SS Peter & Paul. Hale opened against Audley and took the lead after 5 minutes, but Audley equalised following a swift counter-attack. Two smart finishes established a 3-1 half-time advantage for Blakenhale and with no further scoring in a tight second period, ‘hale had their first three pints of the season. SS Peter & Paul commenced their season in a ding-dong battle with Audley in which the black’n’whites took the points with a 3-2 win. P&P were then involved in an absorbing and entertaining fixture with Blakenhale in which P&P needed a last-gasp strike from long distance to earn them a share of the spoils.
Over in Shard End, Hillstone, impressive in their debut season last term, got off to the best possible start as they defeated Gunter 8-0 - Gunter improved vastly in the second stanza after a shaky opening first half. Gunter picked themselves up to take on Short Heath and took an early lead. They then played the rest of the first half with their backs against the wall. However, the Pype Hayes side conceded right before half time and in the second period, the Heathens came out 'all guns blazing' scoring three times without reply, winning the game 4-1. The final game of the evening saw Hillstone go behind early on from a Short Heath set-piece. Hillstone’s players needed a half-time grilling from their coach following a ragged first half in which they were fortunate to be just 1 down. The Stone emerged with far more energy and vigour in the second half and they quickly levelled. However, they fell behind to yet another set piece but two well worked goals saw ‘stone nudge in front. In a frantic finale, Heath gave everything and with 30 seconds left sent their ‘keeper forward for a corner but Hillstone won possession and broke, scoring in an empty goal to win the game 4-2.
Finally, in sun-drenched Nechells, Rosary and Nansen made the short journey from Alum Rock to take on hosts, St Matthew’s. The opening fixture saw Rosary take the lead against St Matt’s but the home-side, clad in their sparkling new yellow and black kit, levelled and though chances came and went at both ends, the game ended 1-1. Nansen the opened their campaign against Rosary and were indebted to their goalkeeper as they secured a 0-0 draw. The Nansen custodian made several excellent stops and was brave and courageous in doing so. St Matt’s then returned to the field for the final game of the evening and were involved in a tremendous game in which they led 3-1 with three minutes to go. Nansen then bundled one in to give themselves hope of a salvaging a point which they eventually did with almost the last kick of a great game of football.
A brilliant start to the new season - the best league in the West Midlands is back and don’t we just love it!
Where next?
Bell Nick Points at Vale!
Champs begin with win; 'dene and Corpus in unbeaten starts; Forest and Thorns both win.
HAPPY NEW SEASON!
Fixtures published; Champs kick-off at Yardley.
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