Courtesy: The FA.com


Northumbria on top

by Matt Hardy

Monday, 20 February, 2012

University side make home advantage count in North Division Two.

Team Northumbria ended day one of the new National Futsal League North Division Two on top after finishing their home round unbeaten.

Despite the blow of losing captain Sam Gallego due to registration issues in the days leading up to the round, the University side used home advantage well to end the day with three wins and a draw and top the second division table after round one of five.

CYDC Leeds were the only club to take points from the home side, as they drew 4-4 in both teams' final game of the day, but crucially for Northumbria after they had been forced to play two games back-to-back.

The day started controversially with Leeds arriving late despite being due to open proceedings against Real Club Solihull. Team Derby stepped in and kicked things off by dispatching the Birmingham based side 5-1.

Despite their late arrival, Leeds regrouped to put in four very accreditable performances. They kick-started their day by beating Wakefield 5-2 in the league's Yorkshire derby, before following that up with a 7-3 win over bottom club Solihull.

They then hung on to draw 4-4 with Derby after leading 4-2 before taking a point from the league leaders.

Wakefield ended the day in third place after wins against Solihull and Derby, a game which ended 5-4 and was one of the most entertaining encounters of the round. However, heavy defeats to Leeds and Northumbria (6-1) left the Yorkshire side with a precarious looking goal difference and they will be looking to put that right on home soil in Round Two.

It was a fantastic start to Second Division action in the North and day one gave an appetiser of what could be a very competitive season. All five clubs will be back in action at the Outwood Grange Academy in Wakefield on Sunday 25 March.




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