MAPLEDENE PREMIER KINGS!

Mapledene are the Premier Division champions. A 4-2 win at Heathlands was enough to secure a first title for 'dene and it comes on the back of a breath-taking run of results that has seen them remain unbeaten, surpass the 60-goal mark and go from tenth place to champions within six weeks.

On a sunny afternoon at a well-groomed and wide Heath Way surface, the visitors and league leaders Mapledene knew a win would give them the divisional title but they also knew that they would be up against tough opponents in play-off chasing Heathlands. The pressure seemed to weigh on ‘dene and in a very tight first half both teams created few opportunities until Heathlands took the lead with a well worked goal. Tackles flew in and as the half advanced and ‘dene were provided with a glimmer of a chance after a long free kick rebounded off Heath’s ‘keeper and a crucial tap in from close range meant that it was 1-1 at half time.

Despite a tactical reshuffle by the title-chasers providing a positive start for ‘dene to the second stanza it was Heathlands who struck next and re-took the lead after good work down their left flank. Eight minutes still remained and ‘dene, with the help of their influential right-midfielder, levelled once again. With just 3 minutes left on the clock, a through ball from the same midfielder released a striker and though Heathen’s goalie charged out to close him down, he coolly slotted into the bottom corner to put Mapledene ahead. The same striker then blasted his second moments later, the victory was sealed and celebrations ensued.

Dene then take the title with Lea Forest set to finish runners-up. Though Heathlands can still, mathematically, make third spot, it is more likely to stay with the present incumbents, Harper Bell, though Corpus Christi can still catch last season’s Premier champs.

Also on Thursday, Highfield made the trek across to Kingstanding to face Maryvale and produced their best performance of the season. Though the Alum Rockers won by three goals to nil, they could have easily doubled that total and they procured a second, consecutive clean sheet after their 'keeper produced a 'save of the season' in the second half.

There were three further games in the Premier Division on Thursday evening as Firs, Brookfields and Erdington Hall toddled across to Timberley and it was a fruitful expedition for Firs. The Hodge Hill outfit notched back-to-back victories over Hall, 3-0 and Brookfields, 4-2. Erd Hall and Brookfields shared four goals in a 2-2 draw.

There was a significant game in La Liga on Thursday afternoon as Yardley and Rosary faced off in a play-off six-pointer. With the sides level on 27 points going into the game, both knew that a defeat here would effectively end their hopes of extending their seasons into June and Yardley were quicker out of the blocks. A rare defensive Rosary error gifted Youths an early lead which was swiftly doubled a couple of minutes later. Rosary though rallied as the first half drew to a close, and were rewarded when a drive from outside the area went in off a post. The Youths though upped the ante in the second half and scored twice more, one a well-crafted goal the other a far-post tap in from a long throw-in. A wounded Rosary tried to eek their way back in and did score again, a header from a corner, but it was too little too late and the 4-2 defeat all but extinguishes their play-off dreams. Avoid defeat at St Matthew’s next week and the Youths will finish third but unless Rosary score double-figures against Gossey lane on the same night, Yardley could even afford a loss and still make the play-offs.