Erdington Duo Tighten Grip!

Tuesday evening saw Erdington giants SS Peter & Paul and The Abbey flex their collective muscles at the top of the La Liga division to forge a sizeable gap between themselves and the chasing pack.

P&P made the trip to sunny Shard End and left with eight goals and six points in the bag. The Black ’n’ Whites began their evening with a 3-0 win over hosts Hillstone, but the game was a far more even affair than the score-line might suggest. The Stone made it difficult for P&P to create any clear-cut chances and the game was finely poised at 0-0 before P&P snatched a half-time lead. As Hillstone pushed forward, P&P’s punishing second half counter attacks proved the difference.

The league leaders then cemented their place at the La Liga summit with another impressive display of attacking football as they swept aside Erdington neighbours, Short Heath, 5-0. In doing so P&P notched up their 60th league goal of the season and made it 8 wins from 8 games played.

In the evening’s final game, Hillstone took on Short Heath. After an entertaining first half the hosts were fortunate to be level at the break, the Heathens created enough chances to have won the game, even by that point, but found The Stone’s ‘keeper in imperious form. After a half-time rocket from gaffer, Mr Flint, The Stone came out firing in the second stanza and netted three times without reply to take all three points.

Abbey remain in close proximity to their Erdington rivals as their venture to Stud Lane proved equally as fruitful. In a combative game with Audley, Abbey eventually ran out 3-1 winners and then backed that victory up with a crunching 8-0 win against Gunter 8-0. Gunter then picked themselves up and put in a sterling display losing narrowly, 1-0, to Audley.

Over in Nechells, Ward End enjoyed their evening out and they journeyed back up the Washwoood Heath Road, with a 6-point haul in tow. The Enders brushed past the hosts, St Matthew’s 6-1 and then edged out a battling Nansen side, 1-0. Despite a spirited effort, Nansen suffered a second 1-0 defeat as St Matt’s nicked the points in a tight affair.

Finally, E-ACT Nechells travelled across to Kingstanding for clashes with Maryvale and Cromwell. Cromwell’s ‘no show’ provided 4-0 walkover wins for both ‘vale and Nechells. In the only actual game of the evening over there, ‘vale emerged 3-1 victors after a hard-fought encounter with their visitors from Nechells.

After all the frantic action, SS P&P continue to lead the way on 24 points and stay three points clear of Abbey. There is then a five-point gap to third-placed Audley, who are ahead of St Bernie’s and Hillstone on goal difference. Yardley may well have a say in things though as they have won five from five and have three games in hand on those above them. Maryvale, Ward End and St Matthew’s all jump up the table courtesy of their wins and sit happily ensconced in mid-table.