Mead Claim Play-off Spot!

For the second consecutive season Brownmead will contest the ESPSFA League play-offs. 2-0 and 6-0 victories at their Pencroft Road home on Thursday evening, secured the runners-up spot in the Premier division.

Mead knew that just a point from games with visitors Lea Forest and play-off rivals, Mapledene, would be enough for the Shardenders to seal a coveted second place finish. Facing a young Lea Forest first, ‘mead quickly set about their task and in a rather one-sided affair, ran out 6-0 winners.

The host’s second game of the evening was an altogether different game with Mapledene giving as good as they got in an absorbing clash. Dene’s defence stood tall and were outstanding throughout, winning high balls, headers and fifty/fifty challenges. Brownmead however, went into the break 1-0 up after good work on the left which lead to a mercurial left-footed finish high into the net. Chances were few and temperatures were raised as the attritional game wore on. Both sides hit the crossbar within thirty seconds of each other, before a long shot took a slight deflection and killed dene’s hopes. Brownmead saw the game out 2-0.

Over at nearby Timberley, Thornton, Corpus Christi and Brookfields were concluding their seasons with each other and the games were high in energy and entertainment. Thornton and Corpus opened proceedings with a 1-1 draw. Both goals coming from expertly taken close-range volleys. Chances came and went for both sides with ‘keepers at either end producing great saves and keeping the score down to just one apiece.
Thornton then took on a vibrant Brookfields side and with the Thorns 2-1 up early in the second half they were awarded a penalty. And this proved to be the turning point. The spot kick was hit hard but straight and Brook’s ‘keeper parried away. Moments later they Hockley-based outfit had levelled and three minutes from time, grabbed themselves a winner. The Thorns left the field bewildered after two excellent performances yielded only one point.
Brookfields tired in the final game of the evening and a fresher Corpus Christi side took advantage. Winning the midfield battle, Corpus were able to dictate and, scoring a couple of long-range efforts along the way, cantered to a 5-0 lead. A late penalty, well converted, denied Corpus a clean sheet and offered some consolation for well-beaten Brookfields.
Corpus finish the season in a respectable eight position and courtesy of their 3-2 victory over Thornton, Brookfields leapfrog the Thorns to end their campaign in thirteenth; Thornton finish fourteenth.

So, the curtain has come down on the Premier division for another season and we now know the play-off semi-finals on Wednesday 20th June. La Liga winners, and defending ESPSFA League champions, Abbey, will take on Brownmead whilst Premier kings, Harper Bell face Yardley Youths.