GRIMSBY INTERNATIONAL BEN MORTLOCK PRESSES FOR BALL

Sheffield FC Futsal’s Ryon Leyshon on the ball at St George’s Park

Sheffield
FC Futsal were given the opportunity to play at the FA’s impressive new
St George’s Park last Sunday as they took on England.

The 330
acre national football centre in Burton is officially opened on October 9
and is the training base for all England’s teams including the Futsal
squad.

The match uniquely saw Sheffield pitted against two of
their own players as Ollie Wheatley-O’Neill and goalkeeper Curtis Holmes
are experienced England internationals.

Also, their head-coach Daniel Berdejo-del-Fresno was on the opposition bench too as he is the national side’s fitness coach.

Sheffield
had set up to use their pace to attack England, however they were given
a rude awakening after five minutes when an ex-player made them pay
with two quick goals.

Ben Mortlock, who helped Sheffield get to
the national final last year, now plies his trade with English club
champions Helvecia and he took full advantage of a defensive mix-up to
fire home making it 1-0.

Seconds later Mortlock had the ball in
the net again with a great finish reminding his former colleagues of his
indubitable class.

England were three up after 13 minutes when
Guillermo Wallace scored a brilliant goal capping off a fine move and it
was Sheffield who needed to change their gameplan.

 

 

A time-out was
called by Sheffield and the regroup appeared to have its desired effect
when on 18 minutes they got on the scoresheet.

Mark
England-Woodcock’s sheer persistence down the right saw him fire in a
pinpoint cross to the back post where Ryon Leyshon ghosted in to tap
home.

The match was divided into three periods of 20 minutes and the second saw England regain their stranglehold.

Despite Sheffield’s stoic resistance, England made it 4-1 on 30 minutes when Ian Parkes slotted home.

Sheffield
tried admirably to get back into the match and went close when Geovany
Simoes shot wide after Holmes made a good stop from Richard Ward.

But the third and final period saw Sheffield up their tempo and intensity which made for pulsating viewing.

The hi-octane approach looked to pay dividends when Ward scored with a great effort to make it 4-2 on forty-eight minutes.

Then Ward had the ball in the net again and four minutes later to make it 4-3 and a reward for Sheffield’s dogged determination.

Ward
has returned to Sheffield following a spell away in Spain and has
looked very sharp on his return, however he and his team-mates could not
prevent England from getting a fifth goal just seconds after the
re-start.

Neil Morgan’s deft finish made the score 5-3 and this
proved enough for England to close out the match which was a thoroughly
entertaining contest.

This friendly proved to be a good work-out
for both Sheffield and England, with the national team manager Peter
Sturgess having kind words to say about the visitors’ performance.

It
was also a brilliant chance to play at what is a remarkable venue, one
which the English Futsal family will all hope aids the development of
the national team and the sport in this country.


Nick Wright

Sheffield FC- Futsal Press and Publicity Officer
email:    nick@sheffieldfc.com

web:      futsal.sheffieldfc.com

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