Teesside Make History

The University of Teesside Futsal Club, Boro’s student team, made history at the weekend by bringing home the first British University Futsal Cup. It had been mooted that UoTFC were the best university futsal team in the country after a successful maiden season, beating other well established universities such as York, UEA and also defeating former English Champions Doncaster College.

However, it wasn’t until this weekend that they had the trophy to prove it after triumphing at the British University Finals in Loughborough. The competition had 24 teams from all over the UK playing in regional qualifying rounds to find the top 8 teams to contest the finals. University of Teesside 1sts qualified automatically after York 1sts (the oldest University Futsal Club) and Hull 2nds pulled out of the qualifying round. The 3rds and 2nds didn’t have it so easy as they played in qualifying rounds in Hull and Newcastle respectively. The 3rds came closest to joining the 1st team in the finals, but lost 2 matches by one goal to get knocked out. The 2nds were under strength and faced York 2nds and Northumbria, losing both games 7-4.

It was up to the 1st team to represent Teesside at the finals and they were there as favourites along with hosts Loughborough. Teesside were drawn in arguably the tougher of the two groups with Worcester (runners-up), UEA 1 and Lincoln. Loughborough came up against York 2nds, Glamorgan and UEA 2.

The opening game, which also turned out to be the final, was Teesside against Worcester. Teesside stormed into a 4-goal lead through Leyshon and Mortlock. Despite conceding 4, the victory was never in doubt and Teesside had made the perfect start. Up next was UEA’s 1st team. The only previous meeting between these teams was in the York Open 2006, and UEA recorded a 3-1 victory as Teesside went on to come runners-up. Burgess put Teesside in front, but 2 goals from Moriarty and Croat Stipe Bojanic gave UEA the advantage. UEA made it difficult for Teesside to get back into the game, but it was David Herbert who finally got Teesside back into the game with a freekick, burying his own goal night mare in the defeat against UEA last time. From then on Teesside looked stronger and went on to win 6-3, qualifying for the semi finals. The other result in the group also meant that Teesside had won the group.

The pressure was off in the game versus Lincoln and a relaxed performance against a team who needed to win saw Teesside held 2-2 until the final minute when Everson played in Mortlock to ensure a 100% record in the group.

UEA 2 had qualified as runner up from group A behind Loughborough. Worcester completed the semi final line up. Teesside, in front of VIP John Warnock, shipped 9 goals past UEA 2, in a superb display of futsal. The half-time score was 4-0 and any hope UEA had of getting back into the game vanished as Mortlock scored direct from kick off in the 2nd half. Holmes, voted goalkeeper of the tournament was unlucky not to keep a clean sheet as UEA scored a lucky consolation that only just crossed the line.

Worcester won in a tough semi final that went to extra time against hosts Loughborough University, to set up a replay of the opening game. This final was Teesside’s 5th in just over 12 months, and second this year. The winners would not only be crowned first British University Futsal Champions, but would qualify for the FA Futsal Cup Finals, the national championship for futsal.

Teesside, playing in Teesside Maroon took the lead through Ryon Leyshon finishing into the roof of the net from a tight angle. Ben Everson, voted player of the tournament, doubled the lead and settled some Teesside nerves. Worcester, who had three new players from the previous day fought back to make it 2-1 in a period when they had Teesside on the back foot. Nick Hamblin restored Teesside’s 2-goal advantage shortly after being introduced into the game. Worcester kept on fighting and made sure Teesside wouldn’t stroll to the title. However they couldn’t find the elusive equaliser and at 4-3 Teesside stepped up a gear to finish off the game in the second half. Superb final performances from Captain Ben Mortlock and David Herbert proved too much for Worcester, but much credit to them in their first season for reaching the final and giving Teesside a good game. Matt Rafter grabbed a late goal to make it 10-4 and ensured that everyone was on the score sheet in the tournament.

UNIVERSITY OF TEESSIDE FUTSAL CLUB – BRITISH UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONS 2007!



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