Unstoppable Dene Storm On!

On a cold and thoroughly miserable afternoon in Sheldon, Mapledene, Thornton and Colebourne hoped that football would provide some relief and inspiration and boy did it do so for the home side.
First up the hosts tackled a visiting Thornton side, themselves riding high in fourth place and with a number of younger starlets added to the squad. Mapledene continued where they had left off last week and their high pressing game set the tone. After a header, a goalmouth scramble and a close-range lash into the roof of the net, ‘dene went in 3-0 to the good at half time – the only problem being who the forwards were going to pass to, as there were almost too many options at times. After the break, Thornton regrouped and gave a defensive masterclass as excellent clearances, strong challenges and composed interceptions, not to mention some super shot stopping from their ‘keeper, frustrated ‘dene. A fourth goal did though arrive when a long goal kick fell to a home strike who calmly slotted home.
Mapledene’s clash with Colebourne was tightly contested early on but a long-range strike which zipped past the keeper's fingers in the wet conditions, followed by another header meant ‘dene went in 2 up at the break. A powerful run and shot straight after the break settled things and, as Colebourne tired, a magnificent team goal - built from the back - made it four. A couple more goals at the death, both from corners, one a tap in, the other a placed finish after a clearance came back to the taker, made it 6.
Six wins in a row for Mapledene now with 33 scored and only 2 conceded – living up to their ‘High flyers’ motto!
The afternoon’s other game saw Thornton tackle Colebourne. Despite a valiant effort from The Thorns’ youngsters, The Coles ran out 4-0 winners. Full credit to both sides for an entertaining game on such a soggy afternoon. Fair play to ‘dene boss, Mr Collett, who put the kettle on and got the teas in for his visitors.
With the games at Hollyfields postponed, the only other game of the day was over in Kingstanding where The Oval valiantly battled through the rush-hour traffic to take on Maryvale. The home side prevailed 4-2 in the end in a keenly contested fixture but both gaffers can be proud of their sides’ efforts on a dour and damp afternoon.
Mapledene then, continue their surge towards the divisional title and though they remain in third place, they are now just two points adrift of Harper Bell with two games in hand and furthermore, ‘dene are five points shy of Lea Forest but have play three less than the leaders. Thornton stay in fourth spot while Colebourne move up to seventh, Maryvale leap above Firs into fourteenth while The Oval remain twelfth.