Bernies Shoot to Summit!

The girls braved the rain at a breezy Castle Vale Stadium on Wednesday afternoon and after eleven games involving ten schools, it was St Bernadette’s whose two victories put them top, and Short Heath who netted twelve times without reply in their three games, who took the plaudits.
Though the destiny of the girls’ league title is still in Lea Forest’s hands, Short Heath knew that only a maximum nine points would be enough to apply pressure on Forest going into their last three games in three weeks’ time – the Heathens delivered. They comfortably defeated Blakenhale 3-0, before winning a tighter game against Timberley, 2-0 and them completed an excellent afternoon’s work demolishing The Oval, 7-0.
St Bernadette’s completed their league programme with matches against Timberley and Hillstone. The new league leaders had few problems in dispatching both sides 4-1.
Abbey were also finishing their season and began with a 2-0 win over St Matthew’s, but they couldn’t back that against Timberley, whose energy and effort kept them at bay and the game ended goalless.
St Matthew’s were involved in the evening’s most controversial moment as they were denied a last kick winner when the time keeper became distracted just as their final attack against Colebourne looked set to win them the point (the author of this report quite rightly took the blame and apologies were proffered to St Matt’s) – the game concluded 0-0. In Matt’s other game they did manage to nick a 1-0 win over Blakenhale.
The afternoon’s other two games involved The Oval, a score-less encounter against Erdington Hall was followed by an entertaining 2-2 draw with Colebourne.
St Bernadette’s, who are now perched on top of the table, have completed their season now and have 35 points from their 15 games, Abbey lie second with 34 points having also played 15 times. Short Heath’s nine points put them level with Corpus Christi on 32 points and both sides have one game to play and both against Rosary. Should both beat Rosary, then there will be a three-way tie at the top and goal difference will come into play. However, if Lea Forest take a minimum of five points from their last three games, they will be champions. What a season it has been.