Dene Machine March On!

By Joe Perkins

Rampant 'dene lead the way; Bell and Hall get second wins; Audley find first triumph; no home sweet home for 'vale; gloomy night for Highfield.

Thursday evening saw the final round of matches in the Premier division before the winter break and Mapledene made sure they would be top of the pops Christmas and into the spring.

Having had a fortnight off, Mapledene were raring to go and they opened up against Harper Bell. The game started tentatively but a zippy 'dene move which fizzed across from right to left set up a a tidy tap in for 1-0. An impressive 'dene outfit continued to create chances but they failed to convert and they were made to pay as the whole team switched off from a long Harper Bell throw, and a header trickled in at the near post for 1-1. Mapledene were stung into action and just before half-time a swift move resulted in them heading in 2-1 to the good. Mapledene's high pressing at the start of the second period meant Harper Bell had little luck in getting the ball out of their own half and as the screw turned three more goals went in. The first after great persistence from a striker chasing his own knockdown, the second from a midfielder with a header and the third lashed in into the bottom corner to seal a 5-1 victory.

Dene's second outing, against Highfield, was to prove just as fruitful. A well rehearsed corner routine in the first minute set the tone as the home-side made it 1-0. A debut goal for a new striker and a close range strike, made it 3 at the interval. Two further goals in the second half, one after continued pressure from the restart and the other after a late substitute's effort found it's way into the far bottom corner, saw 'dene amble to a 5-0 win. It would have been more had it not been for some outstanding saves from the very impressive Highfield goalkeeper.

The evening's other game saw Harper Bell defeat Highfield by two goals to nil. Though Highfield defended heroically at times and had plenty of good possession, they failed to find the target and were punished as Bell netted twice to compound a night of misery for 'field. Credit to Highfield though, whose players never let their heads drop throughout both games.

Across in Kingstanding, Maryvale were hosting Audley and Erdington Hall. Having given a good account of themselves last week at Brownmead, Audley were keen to secure their first three points of the season and they did so by putting five past Erdington Hall without reply. The Glebesiders added a further point to their evening's tally with an entertaining 2-2 draw with Maryvale. Erdington Hall, having scored their maiden win last time out, made it two wins for the season as they defeated 'vale, 3-0.

So Mapledene sit pretty at the summit as we head into the grim, dark nights and when brighter days emerge, they will be the team to beat as a whole host of sides go in search of Premier glory and a top three place that will provide end-of-season play-off football.

Where next?

Stone Cruise to Trophy Finals! Abbey, Heath and Bernie's also qualify.
Heath's Girls Set Standard! Short Heath hit the straps; Oval and Timbers start well; Brookfields and Paget stay in touch.

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