Up For Grabs! Play-offs Preview.

Play off semi finals - Castle Vale Stadium - Wednesday 20th May

Mapledene vs Guardian Angels

Abbey vs Timberley

Premier champions Mapledene go into the finals as favourites following an unblemished league campaign in which they won all eight games, scoring 34 times and conceding only twice. However, ‘dene will be wary of their semi-final opponents, Guardian Angels, who saw off a determined Short Heath challenge in their play-off eliminator. Angels only lost twice in the regular season with one of those a 3-0 loss to Mapledene, however that was back in October as they made their debut in the ESPSFA and they have greatly improved since.

The other semi-final sees La Liga winners and three-time ESPSFA League Champions, Abbey, take on a Timberley outfit searching for their first title since 2014-15 season. Abbey will start the game as favourites having gone unbeaten in their league season, winning six and drawing two of the eight games played. Abbey have built their success on a mean defence whilst Timberley relies on both fire-power – they averaged three goals per game in the Prem – and resilience, which Abbey will be aware of: all leads to what should be, a fascinating encounter.