Courtesy: Nouse - University of York Students Newspaper


Winning start for York’s high-flying futsal firsts

November 12, 2012

UNIVERSITY OF YORK 6-3 SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY

BUCS Northern Premier League

York futsal firsts kick-started their season back in the BUCS top flight with a determined 6-3 home victory over Sheffield firsts yesterday. Despite enjoying longer spells of possession, Sheffield struggled to break down York’s solid defensive organisation, and the home team’s tactical astuteness and clinical counter attacking play proved to be a winning combination.

The game began in a classically cagey first-game-of-the-season manner, with both teams a little sluggish. However, despite the absence of captain Tom Day, York were the first to wake up and seize the initiative. Dom Hallas battled down the right flank and found enough space to square the ball to the expectant James Briars in the centre, who poached the opening goal from close range.

And it wasn’t long before York doubled their early lead, with a thunderous Dom Hallas strike from range cannoning in off the post.

However, Sheffield didn’t just roll over and die. Patiently building up some longer spells of possession, they created a few half-chances, before the York goal was eventually breached. A moment of slack marking was exploited as the ball was drilled across the box for an easy finish from the unmarked Sheffield striker at the back post.

At 2-1, Sheffield began to look more threatening. A series of corners were matched by York’s defensive resilience, with York continuing to pose a threat on the counter. Hallas was unfortunate not to add a third before half time after his scything run was picked out by a Jonny Sim throw from the York goal.

York emerged from the break re-energised, and continued their stout defensive endeavours. Sheffield pressure continued to be absorbed as the away team struggled to find the necessary cutting edge. Soon, a more incisive approach was adopted, which prompted a great response from York who raised the intensity with high pressure tactics that took Sheffield by surprise.

York’s adept strategy soon proved fruitful as two quick goals from Ash Daly and Alex Tringham allowed them some breathing space. Daly smashed the ball low into the far corner via a defensive deflection, and Tringham’s shot was too powerful for the Sheffield ‘keeper.

But the game was far from over. Eventually, Sheffield’s perhaps overly-patient build up play paid off. York were caught out of position, as a shot that was flashing wide was turned home by a striker who seemed to have popped up from nowhere.

With the score pegged back to 4-2, York continued the pattern established so far, soon re-extending their lead. A well-constructed move ended with some intricate feet from Briars to set up Tringham, who thumped a curling effort into the corner for York’s fifth.

The passage that followed was Sheffield’s most sustained attacking period, which nearly saw them claw their way back into the game. A huge slice of bad luck saw York’s lead narrow once more. A powerful strike flew through a crowd and ricocheted off the post, only to cruelly rebound off Sim back into his goal.

At 5-3, Sheffield surged forward and York’s dogged defending was taking its toll. On top of tired legs, they had already committed five fouls in this half, and so the threat of conceding a penalty if they committed one more, loomed in the back of everyone’s minds.

Crucial blocks were made by defence and keeper alike, but York watched helplessly as a viciously spinning ball looped towards the Sheffield striker, who, with the whole goal to aim at, somehow lifted it over the bar from three yards out.

This would prove the turning point, as seconds later York finally managed to put the game to bed. A sumptuous passing move culminated in debutant Connor McCoy slotting into the corner to make it 6-3.

The final whistle soon blew, confirming three hard-earned points for York in an emphatic return to the BUCS Premier Northern League. Although a tense affair, Sheffield were always prevented from getting right back into the game, and on balance a York victory was thoroughly deserved.

President Dom Hallas recognised the importance of a winning start, commenting: “It’s a great start to the season. Sheffield won the national title two years ago, so this win is a testament to how far the club has come. Performance-wise, there’s always room for improvement, but I couldn’t be happier with the result.”

York are set to face current national champions Teeside next Sunday, and they will take the confidence gained from today’s resolute performance and worthy win along with them.

Man of the match: Alex Tringham

York first team: Sim, Daly (C), Tringham, Hallas, Briars, Brown, McCoy





Courtesy: Nouse - University of York Students Newspaper


Goals galore as futsal seconds edge Northumbria on penalties

November 12, 2012

UNIVERSITY OF YORK 7-7 NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY (YORK WIN 10-9 ON PENALTIES)

BUCS Trophy

In a fixture that set ablaze the greyness of the Tent in the dramatic finale of last season, yesterday’s first round cup clash between York seconds and Northumbria seconds held much promise. A thrilling 7-7 battle certainly didn’t disappoint, providing pyrotechnics of its own as York eventually triumphed 10-9 on penalties.

The game seemed to begin where it had left off previously, with chances being created from end to end. Neither side retained possession particularly well, allowing an open, entertaining game to be played. Both teams squandered opportunities before Dan Collins broke the deadlock with a firm strike into the bottom left corner.

The lead didn’t last long though, as York were beaten too easily one on one, allowing Northumbria to effectively walk the ball into the net.

At this point, the tide seemed to have turned Northumbria’s way, as they promptly added another two goals. At 3-1, the opposition began to look like the well-drilled team that had almost clinched promotion last year, and the game threatened to slip from York’s grasp.

Freddie Robinson in the York goal intervened on several occasions to keep his side in the game, and soon the perseverance of the impressive Shinnosuke Murata was rewarded as he forced a save from the Northumbria ‘keeper, with the rebound struck home with authority by Collins.

However, in the last frustrating seconds of the half, Northumbria fired home from range to make it 4-2 going into the break. The high pressure, fractured first half from both sides was expounded in the second.

Northumbria began the second half on top, and soon sliced through the York defence with a slick passing move to extend their lead to 5-2.

Play continued to flow from end to end, and finally York began to shore up their defence and prevent a rout. A long throw from Robinson was deftly flicked past the Northumbria keeper by Murata, sparking York hopes of a comeback and once again changing the balance of play.

York tails were now well and truly up as they bore down relentlessly on the Northumbria goal. Murata curled a powerful strike into the corner to make it 5-4, soon followed by the equaliser thanks to a heavily deflected Cremi Gianluca shot that looped past the wrong-footed keeper to the delight of the York players.

The magical response continued for York as they finally retook the lead thanks to a wonderful volley from Collins, who from a tight angle on the left flank, thundered the ball off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

The pressure seemed to be heaped right back onto York again, as the temptation to sit back and defend their lead, coupled with a determined Northumbrian assault, produced a barrage of shots on the York goal. Robinson had to be at his best on several occasions, making a string of blocks to maintain his side’s lead, helped by heroic goal-line clearances from Marco Basaglia and Murata.

With five minutes to go, York seemed to have done enough, extending their lead to 7-5. Another long throw from Robinson fizzed forward, and under onrushing pressure from the York forwards, the Northumbria keeper could only bundle the ball backwards into his goal.

Perhaps thinking the job was done, York slackened off considerably and offered a persistent Northumbria the chances they were looking for. Some tired, sloppy marking saw not one, but two quick-fire goals bring the game back level. And if it wasn’t for another sliding block from Robinson with the last kick of the game, Northumbria could very well have nicked it.

And so with the scores tied at 7-7 and finger nails already bitten to bloody stumps, this cup tie had to be settled by the inevitably heart-wrenching contest of penalties. An incredible eight penalties were successfully converted by each team before the deadlock was broken. Robinson saved the eighth Northumbrian penalty, but York’s Cassata Flavio, now taking his second spot-kick, squandered the opportunity by subsequently firing wide of the target.

Two more penalties were scored by each team, before another save from Robinson presented Murata with the opportunity to finally end this lengthy shootout. Keeping his composure, his coolly-struck effort sent York into the next round.

Captain, Freddie Robinson, was pleased by his team’s determination: “It was a great start to the season and we showed great character to keep coming back from behind. The rest of the season looks promising after that performance.”

From a neutral’s perspective, this frenetic encounter was a spectacle to behold, and although York certainly have some defensive work to do, their plucky display will give them much hope going forward.

Man of the match: Shinnosuke Murata

York: Robinson (C), Murata, Collins, Gianluca, Flavio, Basaglia, Diop






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