Courtesy: The FA.com

Table top clash at Tranmere

Friday, 29 January, 2010

Middlesbrough aiming to keep 100 per cent record in tact.

Tranmere Victoria v Middlesbrough Futsal Club
The FA National Futsal League North
Sunday 31 January 2010
The Greenbank Sports Academy, Liverpool

Middlesbrough are back in FA Futsal League action on Sunday after a weekend off and travel to Merseyside to take on rivals Tranmere Victoria at the Greenbank Sports Academy in Liverpool. Boro go into the match on top of the northern table, after an excellent start to the season and are three points ahead of the Vics in second place, though Tranmere have played one game less.

Victoria have returned to the North league this season after spending a year in the Midlands and are aiming for a hat-trick of titles after winning the North and the Midlands in two consecutive attempts. Tranmere also reached The Final of the play-offs after some controversy, holding Boro to a 1-1 draw on the way, but they ultimately failed to stop Helvecia in their rampant tracks.

However, manager Damon Shaw is upbeat going into what will be a tough test for his young Boro side: “Tranmere are very experienced and will be favourites to win at home, but we’ll go into this game as we have done with every match in the last two seasons – knowing we’ll have to work hard," he said.

"We’re still learning, but we have some very talented players and if we perform to our strengths we can come away from this game with a result.

“We’ve had a chance to focus our training and put some things into practice since our last match, so we’ll be well prepared. It’s going to be a good game, and we hope that our youth and energy can overcome their experience.”

With 13 players available, including three goalkeepers, Shaw has something of a selection dilemma, but a welcome one in the goalkeeping department.

“Last season we struggled for top quality in goal with Dan Boswell out injured and there was only Withers available. Now we’ve got three good ‘keepers, all with different attributes so it’s not going to be easy to choose who will play! The outfield players are doing well and all will play a part on Sunday.”

Meanwhile, with three players having left the squad since the 7-2 win over Leeds, Lee Armes will return to the team and Sean O’Brien is set to make his debut.

A win for the Teessiders would see them hold onto top spot and record their best ever start to a season, but Tranmere away will be a real test for Boro,

You can follow Middlesbrough Futsal Club on www.borofutsal.com and be the first to find out how they get on in Merseyside by logging on shortly after midday. You can also get in touch with the club who have a junior team and plans for a girl’s team, so if you are interested in playing Futsal, check out BoroFutsal.com.



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