Forest Flying High!

Lea Forest maintained their title push with a six-point maximum at their Ridpool Road base on Thursday evening. Parkfield and Colebourne provided the opposition and the Forest arose victorious against both, 5-1 and 3-0 respectively. The two wins saw them leap up to second place, three points behind the leaders, Harper Bell, having also now played eight games. Parkfield’s match with Colebourne was remarkable in that three penalties were awarded – Parkfield could afford to miss two of them as they ran out winners by four goals to two.
Corpus Christi ventured over to the Heathway looking for three points to close the gap with Harper Bell to a point but at the same knowing that they faced tough opposition in a Heathlands side who won both of their opening games last week. In a terrific game, played in great spirit, both sides could have cause to think they could have – and possibly should have – won it. Heathlands were solid defensively and took the lead midway through the first half. They then had their ‘keeper to thank, as a series of fantastic saves kept Corpus at bay. Heathlands remained dangerous on the counter-attack but with the side from Lyttleton Road frustrated and staring at a 1-0 defeat, they launched a stoppage-time throw-in into a crowded area which took a nick off a Heathlands player and sent the ball into the net. A fortunate goal for Corpus but a deserved equaliser and a point each a fair outcome after a thoroughly entertaining encounter.
A mile or so away from the Heathway over at Pencroft Road, Brownmead were putting their early season woes behind them as they defeated both Thornton and Alston. Mead began with a 3-1 win over Thornton who once again gave a really good account of themselves, before defeating a tiring Alston side, 4-1. In-between those games, Alston and Thornton had a good old tussle with Thornton edging a tight affair, 1-0; the victory maintained the Thorns’ ‘win one, lose one’ record and keeps them in fourth spot.
One final match to report on which was over in Kitts Green. The Oval took on Erdington Hall and there was little to choose between the two in an intriguing clash, but Oval’s superior finishing ensured they took the points in a 2-0 win and remain in fifth place in the table.