SEVEN SECOND HALF STRIKES SHOOT SHEFFIELD TO FUTSAL SUMMIT

Sheffield FC Futsal 7 Manchester FC 2

A scintillating second-half show saw Sheffield smash seven past Manchester to storm back to the top of the FA National Futsal League North.

Despite being 1-0 down to the then unbeaten league leaders with nearly three quarters of the game played, clinical finishing and ruthlessness in taking advantage of their opponent’s mistakes were the makings of the 7-2 final scoreline.

The game began though as if proceedings would take a more different turn to how they did end up.

Manchester started very brightly and took the lead with a simple finish at the back post from Samuel Richardson after latching on to an inch-perfect pass.

However, for Manchester, that was about as good as it got.

Sheffield gradually began to break down their opponent’s defences and control possession, and while they did not manage to get a goal before half time, after the break they would continue in their ascendency, with a lethal effect on the match.

Shots on goal were starting to become few and far between for Manchester who looked increasingly frustrated, and there was a sense that if Sheffield could get an equaliser that they would panic.

That equaliser came on 27 minutes when Adam Oldham slotted a cool finish under the goalkeeper after some great build up play.

Two minutes later Sheffield went in front when England international Ollie O'Neil tapped in from close range, and while that goal momentarily kicked Manchester into action, albeit with some wild shooting, Sheffield made it 3-1 with the Ryon Leyshon finishing with aplomb after an incisive counter attack.

It was 4-1 to Sheffield when a calamitous communication error between Manchester’s goalkeeper and his defender let Sheffield’s Oldham tap into an open net, and whilst Manchester got a goal back to make it 4-2, things would only get worse for Sheffield’s trans-Pennine title challengers.

Soon after Sheffield’s O'Neil helped himself to another with a fine strike for 5-2, the beleaguered Manchester ‘keeper was sent off for a professional foul reducing them to four men.
Sheffield’s O'Neil and Leyshon rounded off the rout making it six, then seven, both with exceptionally taken efforts.

With the season nearing its climax, for Sheffield to dethrone a previously unbeaten side from the top of the league in such comprehensive style and keep their title tilt going will surely give them bucketloads of confidence as the season draws to an enticing and exciting ending.

Sheffield's next league game is away against local rivals Leeds on the 8th of May.


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