IT'S ABBEY, ABBEY, ABBEY'S TITLE YET AGAIN!

For an unprecedented third time in a row, Abbey are ESPSFA League champions as their domination of the ESPSFA continues unabated. At a grey and drizzly Castle Vale Stadium on Thursday afternoon, the Erdington boys completed their hat-trick of titles in fine style with a 6-3 defeat of previously unbeaten, Hillstone.

The afternoon began earlier than scheduled for the amber and blacks who first took on Harper Bell – the match re-scheduled after Tuesday’s deluge put paid to Hollyfields pitch. Abbey hardly broke sweat against an under-strength Harper Bell who were missing several first-team regulars, and eased into a semi-final clash with Premier Division champions, Mapledene (seen below with their trophy), courtesy of a comfortable 2-0 win.

And so to the play-off semi-finals where along with aforementioned Abbey vs Mapledene tie, Hillstone – La Liga champions – were pitted against Premier runners-up, Lea Forest. Forest were looking to add the league title to the one won by their girls last month.

Abbey struggled throughout a cagey first half against Mapledene who came into the game on the back of that remarkable unbeaten run that swept them to their divisional title. However, there were ominous signs as ‘dene’s ‘keeper was far the busier and as the pressure mounted, Abbey took control. Once they took the lead, they only ever looked like extending it and did so in fine fashion cruising to a 5-0 victory.

In the other semi, Hillstone were quick off the mark and were two-nil up inside the first five minutes as Lea Forest struggled to get to grips with ‘stone’s tempo. Forest slowly began to put some passes together and fashioned themselves a couple of chances. However, they spurned a great opportunity to pull a goal back and then saw a shot come back off the crossbar. Hillstone remained a threat going forward though and just before the break, they made it 3-0. Forest needed a fast start to the second period, but they were left stunned as straight from the kick-off ‘Stone’s midfield ace, slalomed his way to goal before neatly side-footing in. Forest refused to give in and to their credit deservedly grabbed themselves a goal. They could have had a couple more but for the crossbar once again, and a narrow shot-cum-cross that fizzed centimeters past the far post. Forest’s luck was out as was any hope, and Hillstone made their way to the final.

Back in October, Hillstone beat Abbey by two goals to one on their way to their La Liga title and a win that was one of fourteen in total as they ended the regular season unbeaten. However, with their desire to take the league trophy back home with them, Abbey would be in far more determined mood. The early exchanges were akin to two boxers feeling each out, looking for a slight glitch in their opponent’s armoury and as a result, neither ‘keeper was troubled. Midway through the half though we had our first goal and it went to Hillstone. Abbey had to respond and as they upped the ante they equalised, a sublime strike that veered into the top corner – unstoppable.

Both coaches had their say at half-time, but it was Abbey who were sharper after the interval and two swift efforts gave them a 3-1 advantage. The amber and blacks then went into cruise control but were punished twice in quick succession for their laid-back attitude and ‘stone found themselves level at three apiece. However, their Joy was short-lived as straight from the restart, Abbey capitalised on a defensive blunder to re-take the lead. Stone’s resolve was broken, and two more Abbey strikes put the gloss on their final triumph and that incredible ‘three-in-a-row.’

In the 3rd/4th place play-off game, free from the shackles of pressure, Mapledene defeated a tiring Lea Forest, 4-1.

So, there ends another ESPSFA League season and having also won the inaugural ESPSFA Trophy back in November, Abbey will now look for the treble in a few weeks time as they endeavour to wrestle the ESPSFA Cup from local rivals SSPP. Their domination may also continue in two weeks time when they defend their Year 3/4 6-a-side title for an incredible fourth year on the spin having won it in 2016,17 and 18.

Who is going to end this monopoly? A mighty fine question that.