Youths and Heath Shatter Wilf's and Dene Dreams!

By Joe Perkins

Play-off Preliminary wins for Yardley and Short Heath as St Wilf's and Mapledene bow out.

Yardley 1 - 0 St Wilfrid's
Yardley secured a semi-final berth in Thursday's play-off finals after a hard-fought victory over a gallant St Wilfrid's side. The Youths created the better opportunities in the opening half and St Wilf's had their 'keeper to thank for the goal-less half-time score. And it took a goal of sublime quality from a Yardley midfielder to separate the two sides - his volley from outside of the penalty area screamed into the top left corner giving Wilf's stopper no chance.
The Youths game management - called into question in regular season games against Short Heath and Paget - eventually saw them over the line as they kept St Wilf's at bay. The Youths reward for their win is a tie against Premier champions, Lea Forest, in the aforementioned semi-final at Castle Vale Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

Mapledene 0 - 3 Short Heath
Short Heath set up a mouth-watering semi-final play-off clash with La Liga champs, Paget, following a reasonably comfortable 3-0 win at the DeneArena. Heath dominated throughout and though the game was tetchy at times, it did not deflect on a brilliant victory for Heath. Mapledene struggled to get going and Heath always looked dangerous going forward. Mapledene were stifled in attack and Short Heath were comfortable 3-0 winners.

So all eyes on Castle Vale Stadium this Thursday where one of either Paget, Lea Forest, Short Heath or Yardley, will be crowned ESPSFA Champions in what has been an incredible season following a two-year, Covid-ridden hiatus.

Where next?

YOUTHS TITLE GLORY! Yardley prevail in epic final as Heath just fall short.
FOREST GRAB TITLE IN FINAL DAY DRAMA! Foresters glory but SSPP heartache; Win over 'dene not enough for PP in play-off chase as St Wilf's hold on to third spot.

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