RELIEF ALL ROUND AS SHEFFIELD FC FUTSAL STAY IN GRAND FINALS HUNT

Sheffield FC Futsal 3 Tranmere Victoria 0

by Joey Winson

It was not have been as comfortable as they wanted but Sheffield FC Futsal kept in the hunt for a Grand Finals place with a 3-0 home win over Tranmere Victoria on Sunday.

Indeed, the scoreline could have been greater had Sheffield added to Ryon Leyshon’s seventh minute wonder goal which opened the scoring, but it was not until six minutes from time there was true daylight in the contest and the home side settled.

Sheffield knew after their disappointing loss to Manchester in their previous fixture they had to beat Tranmere and win their following five matches to overtake second-placed Middlesbrough, who prior to the start of this match were thirteen points ahead but had played five more games.

With that in mind, Sheffield began this encounter with real purpose up against an opposition who set their stall out early to camp out in their own half and frustrate the home side.
After having the greater share of possession and chances, Sheffield finally got a breakthrough on seven minutes in fine style through a piece of individual brilliance.

Ryon Leyshon picked the ball up with three defenders and the keeper in front of him, but quickly sidestepped a trio of challenges before outfoxing the oncoming goalkeeper with a nonchalant dink into the net.

However, Sheffield could not build on this slender advantage as Tranmere stuck doggedly to their guns throughout the half to leave both sides going in at the interval with the score at 1-0.

Sheffield came out after the break still having most of the ball, and nearly got a second when Vass Koutsilas’ first time shot hit the post after picking up an incisive pass from Jese Priego.

But the quest for that all important second goal was leading to frustration as Sheffield began to look nervy, with Tranmere beginning to create a few chances themselves which were either wayward, desperately blocked or well saved by goalkeeper Curtis Holmes.

Tranmere’s flurry though saw them visibly tire, and with six minutes of time left a late challenge on Priego sent him flying in the area to see Sheffield awarded a penalty.
Captain Joel Rocha expertly dispatched the spot kick by waiting for the goalkeeper to move early and slamming home to make it 2-0.

The shackles then appeared to come off Sheffield as they began to play with more freedom and creative finesse, increasing the lead to 3-0 when Leyshon scored his second with a cool finish.

There was an almost tangible sense of relief as the game ended as Sheffield were given a really stern test by Tranmere, who they face again next Sunday in the reverse away fixture.

The fact that it took Sheffield so long to get that crucial second goal was a key factor, and it could be said if they had achieved that in the first half, the scoreline could have been more comprehensive, especially seeing how they confidently saw out the match looking like their usual fluid selves.

Nevertheless, it was a vital three points and something they will have to do all over again next week. If they do so, it sets up a tantalising clash with Middlesbrough at home on March 18 which could decide who gains that grand finals place in Guildford.

Sheffield FC Futsal: Curtis Holmes, Neto Agostinho, Joel Rocha (c), Richard Moore, Vass Koutsilas, Adam Oldham, Jonathan Steel, Jese Priego, Ryon Leyshon, Demir Kurtovic, Rapha Collarile, Alceu Collarile

Tranmere Victoria: Ruben Perez Lozano, Thomas Bates, Alex Ayala, Roberto Jover Soro, David Seddon, Emilio Sansolini, Jay Corran, Neil Thompson.




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