Courtesy: Isle of Man Today


Laxey claim Manx futsal title

16 November 2009

LAXEY lifted the inaugural Banter Magazine Manx Futsal League title on Friday evening, after overcoming Magic Carpets 10-3 in the competition's final at Ballakermeen sports hall.
A total of 13 teams entered the Isle of Man FA's first competitive running of the South American, indoor form of the sport.

The league campaign began back in July with the top eight teams qualifying for the end-of-season play-offs, which culminated in Friday evening's finale.

The Miners battled past Gymns 5-4 in the semi-finals, Magic Carpets beating favourites and unbeaten league stage winners DLP by the same scoreline to book their place in the last two.

An even first period saw both teams create chances, but some inspired goalkeeping from stoppers Mark Kinley (Magic Carpets) and Mark Blair (Laxey) combined with some resolute defending meant that the usually free-scoring frontlines were blunted.

At the interval, goals from Island full-back Gary Williams and Keith Brown gave Laxey a slender one-goal advantage after Noel Gill's stunning left-foot volley had reduced the deficit for Carpets.

However, the latter team seemed to run out of a steam a little in the high-paced encounter's second half as Laxey began to dominate.

With Carpets' talisman Neil Brogan well marshalled by Brown and Jim Travers, the Miners attack was given license to roam — Johnny Callow, the surprisingly prolific Williams and Neil Shooter helping to stretch the Glen Road outfit's advantage.

Further goals from Callow and Andreas Hjerth put further gloss on the scoreline for the eventual champions, despite the best efforts of Brogan and fellow Carpets' attacker Martin Costain to lessen the arrears.







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