Double-'dene Fire Opening Salvo!

La Liga division Football returned to the Arena in a big way this evening as Mapledene welcomed Colebourne and St Bernadette’s and it was the home side who laid down a strong marker with 7 and 8 nil wins against their visitors.

Dene opened up against Colebourne and were quick about their work but were initially met by a determined Coles side eager to play passing football with a high press. Colebourne however toiled and had no answer to a very strong home team who were 3-0 up at half time, the pick of the goals a fine finish lashed in from a cross ball. Subs introduced at half time stretched Colebourne further and, despite a missed penalty, four more were added with piercing through balls and direct wing play.

Mapledene then faced St Bernadette’s and picked up where they left off, giving the away side very little time on the ball. Dene’s high pressing resulted in another delightful through ball for the opener and then unselfish play from a free kick caught Bernie’s napping with a further effort added prior to the break. Bernie’s missing their main play-maker didn’t help their cause and a merciless Mapledene continued to push and five goals were shared amongst substitutes in an 8-0 win.

The Arena’s other game, the actual opening game saw St Bernadette’s start brightly sensing some early nerves in a willing but inexperienced Colebourne side. Bernie’s were handed the lead when a Coles defender inadvertently fired into his own net whilst trying to clear. Two more goals for Bernie’s followed, the second of which was a result of a high line and was coolly slotted in. Colebourne never gave up though and deservedly pulled two back to make the last few minutes exciting; their second a peach from outside the box but Bernie’s hung on to claim the points.

In the Premier League, St Thomas More maintained their tremendous – and ominous – start to the season as they recorded a 7-0 win over Featherstone and then went one better defeating hosts, Timberley, 8-0. The Timbers and the Feathers battled out a 1-1 draw in the evening’s other clash.

Over in Kitts Green, Rosary and SSPP were the visitors to Lea Forest’s Ridpool Road ground and the Forest began proceedings against an inexperienced Rosary side. Forest were given the opportunity to take an early lead from the penalty spot but saw the kick fly high over the crossbar. The home side y continued to knock on the door though and they finally prized it open shortly after when a low strike flew into the far corner of the net. Forest continued to pepper Rosary’s goal but found the Rosarian’s ‘keeper in fine form. Rosary rode their luck but could have snatched a point but late on, missed a glorious opportunity to level from close range and were denied a last-gasp leveller by the Forest ‘keeper’s brave block.
Rosary then had to go again against a sharp, neat-passing SS Peter and Paul side. Only excellent goalkeeping kept the score to four nil but at 2-0 Rosary spurned a great chance to pull a goal back. And from that miss SSPP countered to make it three with a smart finish and with that went any chance of a Rosary revival.
The evening’s final encounter saw SSPP canter to a 5-0 win over Forest. The black and whites netted within the first minute of the game and were never in any real danger of relinquishing their advantage.

And finally, at Holly Lane, Abbey were kick-starting their campaign as they handsomely defeated Corpus Christi, 8-0, and an previously unbeaten, Highfield, 3-0. Highfield though atoned for that defeat with a narrow 1-0 win over Corpus Christi.