Paget Fall at Final Title Hurdle!

Thursday evening saw action in both divisions, but it was in La Liga where the real drama happened.

Paget travelled across to Yardley knowing that four points from their remaining two games against the hosts and Brownmead, would secure them the divisional title. And things started well for the P’s as they sauntered past Brownmead 9-0. Next up: the reigning ESPSFA champions and it would be an altogether different affair. The Youths, with their play-off hopes gone were not in the mood to roll over and hand the title to Paget and it turned out to be a tight, tense and tough encounter with both sides going toe-to-toe. The Youths worked hard to close Paget down and deny them space, but it was still a fantastic end-to-end game. Paget were given a glorious chance to take the point they required following the award of a penalty but the kick was spurned and with it went Paget’s title hopes. In the evening's final game the Youths picked up another three points after a 5-0 win over Brownmead.

The title then is Short Heath’s unless St Bernadette’s beat St Barnabas by 29 clear goals next Wednesday – highly unlikely!

In the Premier Division, St Thomas More ventured to Castle Vale Stadium knowing that only two victories would be enough to maintain their play-off ambitions. Parkfield were first up for Tommy More’s and the Sheldon side brushed them aside 10-0. However, next up were Corpus Christi and they would be a different proposition. And as expected it was a close and tight affair but STM eventually broke Corpus’ resolve to eke out a 1-0 win.
There were two more games at CVS and Featherstone, ending the season strongly, maintained recent momentum by first defeating Rosary 2-0 and then hitting 9 against a tiring Parkfield.

The play-off picture is still a little murky with anyone one from SSPP in second place on 28 points to STM in fourth on 26 points via Timberley in third on 27 points. Timberley know that three points vs Heathlands next Thursday will secure them a play-off spot, whilst SSPP will do likewise if they can win one of their two remaining games; STM will have to hope that the Timbers lose their game and they can overcome Highfield at CVS next Thursday.

What.A.Night.