Rock on Rosary!

What a difference a week makes! Last Tuesday Rosary limped back to Alum Rock from Shard End having suffered back-to-back defeats but Monday evening they emerged from Erdington with four points in the bag after victories against title-fancied sides Short Heath and hosts, St Barnabas.

But it was the latter two who took to the stage first and produced a cracking, end-to-end clash and one in which saw Short Heath take a 2-0 lead into the break. The game continued in the same vein and St Barnabas deservedly pulled a goal back but in a belter-of-a-game, it was Short Heath who came out on top.

And in game two of the evening, Short Heath began brightly against Rosary but the Alum Rocker side gradually clawed their way back into it and as they asked more question, were rewarded when their striker poked home at the far post. Short Heath though were quickly back in business and levelled through a thunderous strike which flew in off a post. Rosary’s keeper was kept honest throughout and Heath looked for a winner but in another terrific encounter, it was Rosary who netted the decider. A well-struck free-kick flew in despite a valiant attempt from a Short Heath defender to keep it out. A famous win then for Rosary and their first in the league for almost two years.

A buoyant Rosary bounced into their next game with home side, St Barnabas and it was yet another pulsating game with thrills and spills at either end. St Barnabas eventually broke the dead-lock when their tall, elegant midfielder struck a beauty of a strike beyond Rosary’s ‘keeper. Rosary though weren’t to be denied and from a corner routine, the ball broke to the edge of the box where their left winger was waiting to volley home. Honours even in yet another breath-taking clash.

Rosary then sit in fifth position, behind St Barnabas on goal difference whilst Short Heath are up into the play-off spots lying third.

Finally, full respect to St Barnabas’s parents and carers who applauded Rosary’s players and staff back to their mini-bus by– a lovely, genuine, gesture to end a brilliant evening’s football. Kudos to all!