Forest and Dene Double Up!
By Joe Perkins
6-point Forest go top; binary 'dene keep tabs; Corpus gain second win.
An action-packed evening's football in the Premier Division on Thursday saw games kick off in a flurry of snow, finish in bright sunshine and Lea Forest top after yielding six-points.
At their Ridpool Road base, Forest greeted Erdington Hall and league debutants, St Wilfrid's. The Foresters had contrasting outings however as they eased past Erdington Hall, 7-0, but were made to work hard for a 1-0 victory against the newcomers. Hall and St Wilf's saw a number of chances go abegging at either end and they couldn't be separated as the game ended one apiece.
Over in Sheldon, Mapledene faced a Corpus Christi side looking to bounce back after consecutive defeats a fortnight ago. Dene raced out of the blocks and were great value for their 1-0 lead after a low drive flew through a packed defence and past the ‘keeper. The goal triggered Corpus into action though, with the effects of ‘dene’s recent residential trip starting to tell, the yellow and blacks levelled following a miscommunication in the home side’s defence. Dene gaffer, Mr C, freshened things up at half-time and that impetus led to a spectacular overhead kick which narrowly missed the target and sent the crowd into rapture but as both sides probed and prodded after that neither could muster a clear-cut chance. And, with the clock running down, a ’dene sub chased a long through ball and coolly slotted home to secure a vital 2-1 victory. Corpus quickly picked themselves up though and in their second game, against a Harper Bell team making their first appearance of the season, the Stechford side sped into 4-0 lead. Bell netted twice in two minutes midway through the second half, but Corpus kept the lads from Digbeth at bay, to seal themselves a second triumph of the season. Harper Bell then had to go again, and against Mapledene saw a combination of poor defending, smart finishing, and a headed deflection, provide the green and blacks with a 3-0 victory. Bell offered little in attack and boss Mansell has some work to do as his lads’ head to Timberley in a week’s time.
Lea Forest lead the way then, a point ahead of Mapledene who have a game in hand but danger lurks below as Timberley, SSPP and Thornton will all have a bit to say about the destination of the Premier division come the end of May.
At their Ridpool Road base, Forest greeted Erdington Hall and league debutants, St Wilfrid's. The Foresters had contrasting outings however as they eased past Erdington Hall, 7-0, but were made to work hard for a 1-0 victory against the newcomers. Hall and St Wilf's saw a number of chances go abegging at either end and they couldn't be separated as the game ended one apiece.
Over in Sheldon, Mapledene faced a Corpus Christi side looking to bounce back after consecutive defeats a fortnight ago. Dene raced out of the blocks and were great value for their 1-0 lead after a low drive flew through a packed defence and past the ‘keeper. The goal triggered Corpus into action though, with the effects of ‘dene’s recent residential trip starting to tell, the yellow and blacks levelled following a miscommunication in the home side’s defence. Dene gaffer, Mr C, freshened things up at half-time and that impetus led to a spectacular overhead kick which narrowly missed the target and sent the crowd into rapture but as both sides probed and prodded after that neither could muster a clear-cut chance. And, with the clock running down, a ’dene sub chased a long through ball and coolly slotted home to secure a vital 2-1 victory. Corpus quickly picked themselves up though and in their second game, against a Harper Bell team making their first appearance of the season, the Stechford side sped into 4-0 lead. Bell netted twice in two minutes midway through the second half, but Corpus kept the lads from Digbeth at bay, to seal themselves a second triumph of the season. Harper Bell then had to go again, and against Mapledene saw a combination of poor defending, smart finishing, and a headed deflection, provide the green and blacks with a 3-0 victory. Bell offered little in attack and boss Mansell has some work to do as his lads’ head to Timberley in a week’s time.
Lea Forest lead the way then, a point ahead of Mapledene who have a game in hand but danger lurks below as Timberley, SSPP and Thornton will all have a bit to say about the destination of the Premier division come the end of May.
Where next?
Hot Shot Heathens Bang on Target!
Heath go top after six-point joy; 'stone see of 'mead; Barnie's seal first win in goal-blitz drama.
IT'S TITLE JOY FOR TIMBERLEY!
Timbers snatch Girls League title as league goes down to last game; Short Heath pipped to glory by single point on dramatic night.
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