Mead Crush Rosary's Hopes!
By Joe Perkins
Brownmead dent Rosary play-off ambitions; Hale held by 'dene but beat Thornton; Highfield hold SSMM in 8 goal bonanza and down Erd Hall.
The race for the Premier division’s paly-offs spots was further heated up on Thursday as Brownmead and Blakenhale both had wins to close the gap on second-placed Rosary to just two points. Mapledene too remain in the hunt after taking a point at Blakenhale.
Rosary, requiring three points to stand any realistic hope of a play-off berth, travelled across to Shard End for a clash with third-placed Brownmead. The home side were quick out of the blocks and catching at stagnant Rosary cold, were two up inside seven minutes. Rosary hung until half-time and were much improved in the second half and gave a much better account of themselves. But despite their resurgence, the Rosarians conceded a third when their ‘keeper spilled a long-range ‘mead effort, the rebound was adroitly turned home; the points were Brownmead’s.
Down the road in Garretts Green, Mapledene ventured to Blakenhale for their first away day of the calendar year and what a spectacle it was. On a zippy astro surface, and in bright sunshine, ‘dene knew they had to start quickly to combat a sharp and determined Blakenhale outfit. Though the visitors commenced the game well, they fell behind to a well worked team goal. Hale’s right winger and central striker combined superbly, as they did throughout the match, and calmly placed the ball in the onion bag. Within seconds of the restart, another Blakenhale goal stunned the Dene and it was an upward battle from there. Nevertheless, the away side dug deep and began to see a bit more of the ball but their way back in to match came from a most unlikely source: ‘dene’s ‘keeper rifled downfield and watched it bounce goalwards and beyond the Blakenhale goalie; ‘dene had a foothold back into the game. The second half was much tighter with bodies thrown on the line to block all manner of shots and crosses from both sides. Then, with a minute to go, a throw in from the right provided an assist for a looping back header that sailed through the air, up and over the keeper. Mapledene held on to continue their unbeaten run in 2018, whilst Blakenhale will rue the fact that once again, from a winning position, they had thrown away the points. Hale did however secure themselves maximum points in the evening’s opening game as they defeated Thornton, 4-2. The Thorns, always difficult opponents, gave Blaken a real fight and took an early lead and it took until the second half before the home team finally turned the screw.
Hollyfields played host to SS Margaret Mary, Highfield and Erdington Hall. Highfield enjoyed a 4-1 victory over Erdington Hall before sharing eight goals in a right old humdinger with SSMM.
A quick look at the table then sees Harper Bell still out front on 42 points but it is the next four places in the table that looks far more intriguing. Rosary remain in second place on 35 points but have now concluded their 17 games with Brownmead now just 2 points behind with five games still to play. Blakenhale, in fourth, are just one point further back but have only one game left whilst Mapledene in fifth spot on 29 points, still have four games remaining, one of which is at Brownmead on 14th June. Fasten your seatbelts kids!
Rosary, requiring three points to stand any realistic hope of a play-off berth, travelled across to Shard End for a clash with third-placed Brownmead. The home side were quick out of the blocks and catching at stagnant Rosary cold, were two up inside seven minutes. Rosary hung until half-time and were much improved in the second half and gave a much better account of themselves. But despite their resurgence, the Rosarians conceded a third when their ‘keeper spilled a long-range ‘mead effort, the rebound was adroitly turned home; the points were Brownmead’s.
Down the road in Garretts Green, Mapledene ventured to Blakenhale for their first away day of the calendar year and what a spectacle it was. On a zippy astro surface, and in bright sunshine, ‘dene knew they had to start quickly to combat a sharp and determined Blakenhale outfit. Though the visitors commenced the game well, they fell behind to a well worked team goal. Hale’s right winger and central striker combined superbly, as they did throughout the match, and calmly placed the ball in the onion bag. Within seconds of the restart, another Blakenhale goal stunned the Dene and it was an upward battle from there. Nevertheless, the away side dug deep and began to see a bit more of the ball but their way back in to match came from a most unlikely source: ‘dene’s ‘keeper rifled downfield and watched it bounce goalwards and beyond the Blakenhale goalie; ‘dene had a foothold back into the game. The second half was much tighter with bodies thrown on the line to block all manner of shots and crosses from both sides. Then, with a minute to go, a throw in from the right provided an assist for a looping back header that sailed through the air, up and over the keeper. Mapledene held on to continue their unbeaten run in 2018, whilst Blakenhale will rue the fact that once again, from a winning position, they had thrown away the points. Hale did however secure themselves maximum points in the evening’s opening game as they defeated Thornton, 4-2. The Thorns, always difficult opponents, gave Blaken a real fight and took an early lead and it took until the second half before the home team finally turned the screw.
Hollyfields played host to SS Margaret Mary, Highfield and Erdington Hall. Highfield enjoyed a 4-1 victory over Erdington Hall before sharing eight goals in a right old humdinger with SSMM.
A quick look at the table then sees Harper Bell still out front on 42 points but it is the next four places in the table that looks far more intriguing. Rosary remain in second place on 35 points but have now concluded their 17 games with Brownmead now just 2 points behind with five games still to play. Blakenhale, in fourth, are just one point further back but have only one game left whilst Mapledene in fifth spot on 29 points, still have four games remaining, one of which is at Brownmead on 14th June. Fasten your seatbelts kids!
Where next?
BELL TAKE PREMIER CROWN!
Bell romp to title; 'field defeat Alston; play-off semis almost complete.
ABBEY RETAIN LA LIGA CROWN!
4-2 win seals division; Yardley through to play-offs.
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