Boro win to seal place in national playoffs

Middlesbrough saw off the challenge from second placed team Sheffield & Hallamshire to seal a place in the playoffs with a hard fought 5-3 win on Sunday. Only Loughborough can now overtake Boro meaning a top two finish, and a shot at the English title is guaranteed.

There are two games left in The FA Futsal League North and Boro need four points to take the title and go into the playoffs as winners, but the final two games aren’t until September.

Once again it was a tight affair and wasn’t won or lost until the last few minutes. Both teams had their share of the luck that took the game into the final ten minutes poised at 2-2.

A draw would suit Boro, but it is neither safe nor wise to play for a draw in futsal, where attack really is the best form of defence, as Sheffield and Hallamshire pressed on. They did hit the post before Boro broke only for Robbie Bettson to be dragged back while through on goal resulting in a red card for Jozef Kutnik. Middlesbrough had the advantage but failed to capitalise on two minutes with an extra body on the pitch and with four minutes remaining it was anybody’s game.

Sheffield resorted to the most attacking tactic in futsal and used a flying keeper, where they replace their goalkeeper with a more skilful player to create superiority in attack to try to win the game. A dangerous tactic if not well versed and Boro, with the pace they possess are more than happy to soak up pressure, hitting teams on the counter attack. It was such a move that broke the deadlock as Boro stole the ball to counter attack ending with a Matt Wootton finish.

A two goal cushion was opened before Sheffield got one back. However, Leyshon, straight from centre foxed two players before only having one more to beat, which he did to create a one on one with the flying goalkeeper making it 5-3. He slotted the ball away and Boro went wild, knowing they had done enough to win, and qualify for the national championship playoffs in October.

Manager Damon Shaw was understandably emotional after the final whistle, “All the players put in the best team performance of the season and battled until the end to take us to the playoffs. It’s been a long season already, but now we can relax in the knowledge we are three wins away from a place in the UEFA Futsal Cup (Champions’ League of Futsal). It was a fantastic team effort, but Jamie Russell, making his debut in goal at only 16 was an outstanding performer.”

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our main sponsors, Hertel and TFM radio for supporting us despite not knowing what futsal is. Hopefully now people of Teesside will start to take notice and we can do the region proud and bring back the national title!”

Boro don’t play until September 13th when they host FC Barsa Leeds at Thornaby Pavilion. To celebrate reaching the playoffs entry will be FREE for the final home game of the season.

For more information visit BoroFutsal.com.







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