IT'S TITLE JOY FOR TIMBERLEY!

Timberley stole the show on Wednesday as a stirring final night of the Girls League saw the Timbers take the title by a mere point from a gallant Short Heath. Timberley last won the league in 2017 and their latest triumph was just as sweet for the girls in red and black.
The evening began with Lea Forest, Hillstone, Short Heath and Timberley all with realistic, and optimistic, hopes of taking home the Shield, currently held by Lea Forest (last won in pre-Covid 2019).
Hillstone opened proceedings against Parkfield and sounded alarm bells after they smashed in ten goals to 'field's one. Stone swiftly backed up that result by thumping Heathlands, 9-0 and pulses were sent racing. And whilst 'stone were running amok, reigning champions Lea Forest were embroiled in an end-to-end 1-1 draw with Timberley. Short Heath then took to the stage and though not firing on all cylinders, did enough to earn a 4-0 victory over Parkfield. At this point it worth paying credit to Parkfield's girls, who despite suffering heavy losses, never gave up and continued to play with smiles on their faces.
Back to the title race though and as Short Heath were taking all three points, Lea Forest and Hillstone were exchanging blows in right old ding-dong of a game. Both sides led at one point or another and one point was all either had to show for their efforts as a brilliant and exhaustive game finished 3-3.
That meant that going into the final games of the season, only two sides, Timberley and Short Heath could win the coveted crown. The synopsis was that the Timbers had to beat Heathlands and hope that the Heathens either drew or lost to Lea Forest. A Short Heath win however, and the title was theirs. Timberley did their part, easing their way to an 8-0 win, meaning they finished on 20 points. Short Heath though were involved in a altogether different encounter and despite their valiant efforts in a bruising and often physical tussle, the girls in blue just couldn't break through and they had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate; their 19 points not quite enough. Though disappointed, Short Heath were magnanimous in defeat as Timberley received their prize as the Girls League Shield went back to Shard End.
The Girls will next be back in action in the summer term when they will play for ESPSFA Girls Cup and let's hope they generate as much excitement as they did tonight.