Heath Flex Muscles in Title Race!
By Joe Perkins
Champions double up at CVS.
Going into the afternoon's fixtures at a bright and sunny Castle Vale on Tuesday, Short Heath were three points behind their age-old foes, Paget and coming out of those games, Heath found themselves three ahead.
The reigning champions began with the derby where the fierce but respectful, rivalry, continued. In a tight opening ten minutes, there was little to choose between the two sides but as half-time approached Short Heath took the lead following a close-range finish. The second half saw both sides going toe-to-toe in an end-to-end battle but neither could strike a telling blow. That changed midway through the half when a goal-bound shot struck a Paget arm and the ensuing penalty was keenly dispatched. Paget never gave up and kept on pressing for a way back into the game but Heath's defence kept them at bay and the three points was theirs.
Heath, knowing that a point would be enough to take them top, then went again against a Rosary side fielding a full-strength side for the second week running. The early stages saw Heath dominate possession but failing to really craft a decent opportunity in front of goal. But the soon-to-be-league-leaders finally broke through when a midfielder was allowed to turn away from a marker and roll the ball in the corner of the net; a soft goal for Rosary to have conceded. It remained 1-0 at the break but Rosary were fortunate it wasn't 2 as their 'keeper almost scored an own goal from a Short Heath throw-in. Rosary almost levelled from the kick-off at the restart when a defender struck a first time shot, following a lay-off, thumped off the corner of crossbar and post but that was as close as Rosary would get to scoring. Slack marking from another long Short Heath throw allowed an easy tap in and then a fine strike from outside the box flew off a Rosary defender's hand and past their number one for three-nil.
So, a maximum six-point haul takes Short Heath back to then top of the table, but Paget have a game in hand on them and are just those three points adrift - Paget play Hillstone and Rosary next Tuesday at the AVFC Dome and will be confident in reclaiming their place at the summit as we head towards the business-end of the season.
The reigning champions began with the derby where the fierce but respectful, rivalry, continued. In a tight opening ten minutes, there was little to choose between the two sides but as half-time approached Short Heath took the lead following a close-range finish. The second half saw both sides going toe-to-toe in an end-to-end battle but neither could strike a telling blow. That changed midway through the half when a goal-bound shot struck a Paget arm and the ensuing penalty was keenly dispatched. Paget never gave up and kept on pressing for a way back into the game but Heath's defence kept them at bay and the three points was theirs.
Heath, knowing that a point would be enough to take them top, then went again against a Rosary side fielding a full-strength side for the second week running. The early stages saw Heath dominate possession but failing to really craft a decent opportunity in front of goal. But the soon-to-be-league-leaders finally broke through when a midfielder was allowed to turn away from a marker and roll the ball in the corner of the net; a soft goal for Rosary to have conceded. It remained 1-0 at the break but Rosary were fortunate it wasn't 2 as their 'keeper almost scored an own goal from a Short Heath throw-in. Rosary almost levelled from the kick-off at the restart when a defender struck a first time shot, following a lay-off, thumped off the corner of crossbar and post but that was as close as Rosary would get to scoring. Slack marking from another long Short Heath throw allowed an easy tap in and then a fine strike from outside the box flew off a Rosary defender's hand and past their number one for three-nil.
So, a maximum six-point haul takes Short Heath back to then top of the table, but Paget have a game in hand on them and are just those three points adrift - Paget play Hillstone and Rosary next Tuesday at the AVFC Dome and will be confident in reclaiming their place at the summit as we head towards the business-end of the season.
Where next?
Tommy More's Leap to Top!
STM sweep SSPP aside to reclaim premier spot.
Erdington and Saltley Primary Schools Football League newsletter
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