Bernie's Win Seals Play-offs for Paget and Heath!

Tuesday evening saw Mapledene, St Bernadette’s and Hillstone all record victories to keep their play-off hopes alive, but one result in particular was significant: St Bernadette’s defeat of Mapledene meant that both Short Heath and Paget have now qualified for the play-offs and kept their own title and top three ambitions burning.

It was always going to be a huge tussle between Mapledene and St Bernadette’s at the Mapledene Arena and in a game deserving of their lofty positions, it was the visitors who took the spoils in a narrow 2-1 win. Mapledene had to then pick themselves up to take on a Harper Bell side replete with Year 6s and boss Mr Mansell hoping for an upset. And whilst the Digbeth-based outfit gave a good account of themselves, they fell to a 3-1 defeat. Dene should have been well clear as the clock ticked down having missed a multitude of chances, but Harper Bell remained in the game and only trailed 2-1. But chasing an equaliser left Bell exposed and a late counter-attacked secured the three points for the home side.

Over in Shard End, Hillstone, still harbouring play-off hopes, welcomed a Brownmead side meandering in mid-table, to their Hillstone Road ground. In what turned out to be a topsy-turvy game, it was Brownmead who started stronger. The ‘mead though struggled to threaten ‘stone’s goal and they allowed Hillstone to grow into the game. A converted a penalty mid-way through the first half saw ‘stone take the lead and they then piled on then pressure but ‘mead’s ‘keeper wasn't going to be beaten easily, making some outstanding stops. After a tactical change by Brownmead in the second half, moving another player into defence, ‘mead began on the front foot and after some indecisive Hillstone defending, they eventually netted a well-deserved equaliser. With a quarter of the game still to play, Brownmead were well on top. But again the pendulum swung the other as the Stones began to show their grit and within minutes of ‘mead equalising, the home side re-took the lead after their lively forward slotted home. And following some neat trickery the same player then put the game beyond Brownmead with a composed finish.

What it all means: Short Heath and Paget both have 22 points and only St Bernadette’s can overtake them as they are three points behind and have two games left. Mapledene’s win over Harper Bell moves them to 18 points, but they have only one game left to play and as they can only make a maximum of 21 points, they will need St Bernadette’s to lose both of their two remaining games. Both Hillstone and Yardley could nab that third spot but will need to outdo each other and hope St Bernadette’s and Mapledene fail to pick up another three points. So close and still so much to play for over the next couple of nail-biting and entertaining, weeks.