FC Grimsby 5 v York University 3

A win was essential to finish off the 2007 Futsal Premier League season in a positive mood for the next league season.  York University is always difficult opposition, they have a large squad training and if they get all their best players out they will give most teams a serious game.  This was the case in this game; Grimsby was always the better team but never far enough in front to be safe.  The sweat the players produced was a testimony to the graft they had to put into the game.  Missed chances were again the Grimsby problem, yet again the ratio of chances to goals was not acceptable, and we have to score more from our opportunities.  Eventually the goals came and we eased towards half time 2-0 ahead and under no real stress, one goal against changed all that and for a short period were under sustained York pressure.  Out of the blue Luke McClelland scored a super controlled volley to ease the Grimsby palpitations and take us to the break 3-1.

The second period was Grimsby control with no rush to score as they kept the ball and watched the clock.  At 4-1 & 4-2 the game was won barring a disaster.  That came when DH was shown a red card for an over zealous tackle.  I don’t stick up for players; but the decision was harsh.  With the minutes left on the clock we were a player short, York scored 4-3; fortunately in futsal a sent off player can be replaced if you concede a goal, could we hold out, the balance had changed?  The referee blew for another free kick, York pushed everyone forward, Lee Graves in the Grimsby goal was a step ahead of everyone, the free kick was for a foul on a Grimsby player, and with the game in disarray he chipped the free kick 40 yards over the advancing York keeper, 5-3.  Futsal can have more twists and turns than the big dipper at Alton Towers.

D Hornigold (Magpies), D Durosimo (Harvest), L McClelland (Kent St), B Smith (Kent St), L Graves (FC Nelson), D Webber (Magpies), S Harris (StreetSoccer).

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