The University of York Futsal 1sts continued their preparation for this summer’s European Championships last night with an 8-5 victory over a College Cup Allstars side, captained by Vanbrugh’s Phil Taylor.
The match, which also served as a method of fundraising ahead of the side’s trip to Malaga, was hotly contested in the tent, with the Allstars demonstrating their talents, but ultimately being defeated by the organisation and experience of the Futsal 1sts.
The 1sts were hindered by the absence of key players Ash Daly and Alex Tringham, but eventually surged to victory with a series of second half goals, after earlier trailing 2-1. The Allstars started promisingly, and with the majority being members of the University 1sts football team, they demonstrated their class on the ball, retaining possession cleverly.
However it was Allstars ‘keeper Kallum Taylor who was forced to make the first saves of the match, as the YUSU President made a sprawling stop from Guy Bowden, before denying Futsal President Dom Hallas from close range.
At the other end, Matt Mawdesley forced a good save from the agile Jonny Sim, before making a crucial defensive intervention to prevent Connor McCoy tapping into an unguarded net. Two minutes later though the 1sts opened the scoring, as Bowden wriggled through a challenge, and placed the ball into the bottom corner of Taylor’s net.
Taylor then had to be alert to deny Tom Day, whilst Jonathan Brown blazed wide on the angle. Two quickfire goals from Joe Easter though completely altered the complexion of the game, as the Allstars surged into a 2-1 lead.
The first came about through a rare error from Day, who lost out to the Derwent midfielder, who proceeded to calmly slot past Sim. A minute later the Allstars were ahead, as Tom Brandreth set up Easter who placed the ball into the back of Sim’s net.
The 1sts tried to respond immediately, as Sim unleashed a counter-attack with beautiful distribution to Day, whose flicked finish was blocked by the body of Taylor. The free flowing nature of Futsal saw the contest awash with chances, the best of which was a moment of brilliance by Mawdesley. His sweetly struck first time volley flew goalbound, but Sim leapt to fingertip the effort onto the bar.
Just before half-time the 1sts levelled the scoring, as the referee blew for a foul by Brandreth on Bowden. Day slipped the freekick right to Hallas, who placed the ball past Taylor to make the contest all square at the interval.
The second half of the contest saw the 1sts demonstrate their excellence, especially in tactical terms, as they outthought and outplayed their talented opponents. Three minutes in and they were ahead, as Day demonstrated beautiful skills to dance through the Allstars defence, round Taylor and slot home.
Phil Taylor then was well denied by Sim, but it was YUSU President Kallum Taylor who was keeping the Allstars in the contest, as he did brilliantly to prevent firstly McCoy and then Hallas. It was 4-2 though soon after, as McCoy rifled home into the corner after being found by Bowden.
The 1sts continued to apply the pressure, as their greater tactical awareness and increased intensity caused problems for the Allstars, who were frustrated by the stubborn resilience of the 1sts. The 1sts fifth goal was the pick of the game, as Day sublimely controlled a long ball, and immaculately volleyed past Taylor, leaving the Vanbrugh ‘keeper no chance.
Brandreth almost pulled a goal back for the Allstars when he surged past McCoy, but his shot rippled the side-netting, and minutes later it was 6-2. A loose pass by the otherwise impressive Matt Darling was intercepted by Bowden, who clinically fired past Taylor.
Bowden then turned creator as the Allstars added a seventh. The Halifax full back crossed in from the right, and Hallas calmly tapped home at the back post. Phil Taylor then pulled a goal back for the Allstars, squirming away from Sim to and slotting home after receiving the ball from Brandreth.
Mawdesley continued to be the star performer for the Allstars, but he was constantly denied an elusive goal, as Sim made two top saves. When he did beat Sim, he was denied by the woodwork, as his shot crashed into the post.
The 1sts though weren’t to be denied, as beautiful play by Day saw the 1sts extend their lead. Star forward, Day, received the ball and skipped through two challenges before squaring to Bowden who tapped home.
Mawdesley then finally bagged his deserved goal, as a six yard dinked finish finally beat SIm. And the Allstars made it 8-5 in the final minute, as with the last kick of the game Mawdesley executed a sublime chipped finish to round off the scoring.
After the game Futsal 1sts captain Tom Day told Vision: “It was a nice evening and good to get some fantastic footballers down. Fair play to the boys who haven’t played Futsal before, in the first half they put in a good performance, second half we just came out and pressed them. Our fitness and knowledge of the game showed, as we pushed a bit harder.”
Many of the key players leave at the end of this year, and last night’s game also served as a manner of recruiting players for the future, and Day added: “After the success this season there are a lot of the Futsal boys who are interested in joining, such as the likes of Guy Bowden and Ralph Gill. They’re all going to come down and get involved, and hopefully continue the success.”
Vision MOTM: Guy Bowden