Courtesy: This is Grimsby/Grimsby Telegraph


Grimsby Town's futsal line-up roar into national final

Friday, July 12, 2013

GRIMSBY Town's Sport and Education Trust Futsal team did the club proud – finishing as runners-up at the Football League's National Finals.

The club's futsal project has been running for the past year with the Trust's team competing in the North East League.

The two Mariners sides finished second and third in their divisions, beating Bury and Middlesbrough on the final day of the season to qualify for the competition.

The finals, in Birmingham, were made up of other professional teams from around the country, who finished in the top three of their respective division.

The Mariners group included Doncaster Rovers, Brighton, Chesterfield, Bristol City and 2012 national champions Reading.

Their first fixture was against Doncaster, when Town started and finished the game the better side, hitting the woodwork six times.
The game ended 0-0 and the Rovers keeper was handed the man-of-the-match award after an outstanding display.

The second fixture saw the Mariners take on Reading.
It was clear from the start that this was a good side who moved the ball quickly and showed good individual technical ability. The game finished 4-0 to the Royals.

Town pushed on, winning their remaining group fixtures – beating Brighton 6-0, Chesterfield 4-3 and Bristol City 3-1.
Finishing second in their group, they moved on to the quarter-finals where they faced Premier League club Crystal Palace.
This was a tight affair, but Town's counter-attacking style of play allowed them to score first.

This goal allowed them to push on and take control. With Palace feeling the effects of the heat inside the arena, Town won 4-0.
The Mariners were paired with local rivals Scunthorpe in the semi-final.

As the first half came to a close, the Mariners counter-attacked and Jack Burrows neatly lifted the ball over the Scunthorpe keeper to make it 1-0 at half-time.

Town started the second half defensively, allowing Scunthorpe the ball in their own half, and protecting their own area.
This style of play invited Scunthorpe on and when they committed more players forward, Town counter-attacked and secured a second goal, again through Burrows.

In the final minutes, Scunthorpe pushed everyone forward including the goalkeeper, but were caught out when Nathan Lambert shot from 35 yards into the empty net.

The Mariners met Reading once again in the final.
The champions started the game well, dominating possession, but Town defended resolutely.

The Mariners' counter-attacking style created two chances which the opposition keeper saved well.

Reading continued to probe away at the Town defence and found a way through just before half-time.

In the second half, Town pushed forward but Reading caught them on the break to net their second before taking control and going on to win 6-0.

"This is their first year in the competition and, for some, their first year playing futsal," said team coach Mark Westerby.
"All the players have been outstanding throughout the year, and to reach the national finals and beat some big clubs on route to the final is a massive achievement.

"We have gone into the tournament missing three key players which would hit any team hard in a tournament like that.
"Reading were a very strong side. This was their second year in the tournament, so they have that extra year on us but we will work hard next year and hopefully go one step further.

"The players have represented the club with pride."

Grimsby Town FC Sport and Education Trust are offering a unique opportunity for talented 16 or 17 year-old football players to pursue a two-year Futsal and Education Scholarship. This is an innovative and exciting programme to be involved in while gaining a first-class education.

The scholarship is a full-time education programme, involving a BTEC Level 3 Diploma, worth three A-Levels, and access to university or further education. The Trust currently has spaces left for next year's futsal squad, and trials are taking place today, from 5-7.30pm at Clee Field Sports Hall, Ladysmith Road, Cleethorpes.

If you need more information, contact Mark Westerby on (01472) 696481 or markwesterby@grimsbytownfitc.co.uk, or follow them on twitter @gtfcset.






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