UNBEATEN DENE CRUISE TO PREMIER TITLE!

It was Judgement Day in the Premier division on Thursday with the title and the play-off places all to be decided across two venues: Mapledene and Timberley. And the sun shone brightly down setting the scenes both in Sheldon, where the ‘dene were hosting play-off hopefuls SS Peter and Paul and Corpus Christi, and in Shard End where the Timbers welcomed play-off chargers, Guardian Angels, and a Court Farm side looking for a third win of the season.

Reporting from the Dene Arena, Mr Collett -

Mapledene welcomed Corpus Christi and SSPP to the Mapledene Arena yesterday for their final league matches of the season knowing that victory in the games would hand them their first league title since the Covid affected year. And as they have done all season, the Mapledene first team started strongly against a Corpus side who have had a mixed season but are littered with talented players. The home side started brightly and were quickly one nil up following a scramble after a corner and they kept the pressure up to go in three nil up at halftime. Three more goals followed in the second half to conclude a resounding six-nil victory put the league title firmly in their grasp.

SSPP then took the field knowing that only two wins out of two would completely suffice in their quest for the play-offs and were up against a Corpus side anxious to put that 6-0 defeat to Mapledene behind them and though it was a tight tussle throughout, the black and whites edged to a 2-1 win.

All to play for then in the evening’s final game between Mapledene and SSPP. An early ‘dene goal was just the tonic to settle the home side’s nerves. However, this was the only joy the home side really had as there was a lot of prodding and probing as both sides searched for a foothold in the match. SSPP grew into the game and nullified all the threats Mapledene threw at them, but as nerves grew so the time ticked away until the final whistle sounded. The players, who had given their all, shook hands and barely believed that they had won the league. Nevertheless, the coach was celebrating! A fine end to a strong season and we now look forward to the Champions League night at Castle Vale. Well done to all teams involved on a great night of Football and thanks to both sides for making the trip.

So, switch over to Shard End where the play-off situation became even more complicated with second-placed Guardian Angels visiting along with Court Farm. Timberley knew that only two wins would be enough to give them a chance of a spot and then that would depend on SSPP’s results at Mapledene. The Angels knew that three points from their two games would guarantee them a top three finish and so the scene was set as them and Timberley kicked off proceedings at Bradley Road. And what a game it was! The Angels dominated the first period and were two nil up at the break but the second half was a different story as the Timbers roared into life and overturned that deficit and despite a nerve-jangling finale, the home side clinched victory by three goals to two.

The Angels quickly picked themselves up and easily defeated Court Farm which cemented their place in the play-offs. Timberley also enjoyed a comfortable win over Farm to give themselves a great chance of snatching that coveted third play-off berth.

And breathe!

So, after all of those thrills and spills, Mapledene are division champions having won eight out eight games, an unblemished record, hearty congratulations to them.
With Guardian Angels finishing second, it was Timberley who snatched the third spot courtesy of a better goal difference over SS Peter and Paul. Talk about dramatic! Congratulations then to Guardian Angels and Timberley and commiserations to SSPP.

There was one other game in the Premier division on Thursday and that was in Kitts Green where Highfield picked up only their second win of the season as they nudged out Lea Forest 3-2 in an end-to-end encounter.