Boro close in on playoffs

Middlesbrough 9 Grimsby YMCA 8

Grimsby gave Middlesbrough a scare on Sunday and ran them close in an end to end match, but it was the Teessiders who came out on top to reclaim pole position in the league as Sheffield & Hallamshire faltered in Manchester. It was possibly the most important three points of the season so far with games falling away fast and little chance for recovery from any hiccups. Boro can now qualify for the National Championship playoffs with a win next weekend over second placed Sheffield & Hallamshire.

Boro started well and created a few chances before Grimsby took an unexpected lead early in the game before doubling it shortly after to shock Middlesbrough.

It was end to end stuff, and it wasn’t until 6-6 that Boro finally went ahead as Hamblin, with his fourth goal of the game, gave Boro a 7-6 lead turning the game in Boro’s favour. The clock was ticking and at 7-6, Boro tried to keep possession, but the dangerous Matt Payne was a constant threat, finding space and hitting the target more often than not. Shane Garvie got the equaliser, but Danial Hornigold received his second yellow card for an over the top celebration resulting in a red card and Boro took the lead with a player advantage.

Matt Payne scored his sixth goal to make is 8-8 and the game seemed to be headed for a draw, but England international Ryon Leyshon, who was quiet for most of the game scored with 75 seconds on the clock to give Boro three points that could be so important in the race for the playoffs.

As Sheffield & Hallamshire lost 3-2 to Manchester, Boro return to the top and Manchester are back in the hunt for a top two finish. Loughborough left it even later than Boro and won their game with 9 seconds remaining against Barsa, keeping them in contention for the title.

Boro are now in prime position to reach the national playoffs – where they would meet the top two teams from the Midlands league and the South league for the English title and a place in the UEFA Futsal Cup.

Manager Damon Shaw is naturally delighted, but knows it’s not guaranteed until they are mathematically clear. “We have fought hard all season and find ourselves one win away from the national playoffs. The win against Grimsby typified our season – we’ve ground out results against the odds, but it’s no fluke, the desire to succeed is there among the squad and hopefully that will see us through to the end of what could be a successful season for Boro!”

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Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com