Courtesy: SportsByte Sunderland


Futsal seconds grab thrilling draw in first of back-to-back games

Martin Kelly smashed home a hat-trick, including two carbon-copy belters into the opposite top corner in a thrilling 5-5 draw with York 1sts, in the first of two back-to-back home games for Sunderland futsal 2nds on Saturday.

Sunderland had just the one substitute, which made what was already a tough task that little bit harder, but three goals from Kelly, a wonder-strike from Jack McCaig and an own goal got them a much-needed point.

It was a bad start for Sunderland 2nds who conceded three quick goals as York threatened to run away with it.
But a stunning free kick from McCaig set Sunderland up for a spirited comeback, as he curled home a dead ball from the left flank, leaving the keeper rooted to the spot.
Kelly grabbed his first with a drilled finish across the keeper with his right foot into the bottom corner as Sunderland came back to 3-2.

York 1sts regained their two goal cushion shortly after, as a low shot flew through a crowded area and squirmed into the bottom corner.

Sunderland didn’t give up however, and once again Kelly broke through on the right and smashed a high shot into the inside netting of the top corner.

It was an end to end first half – accurately reflected in the 4-3 scoreline – and it didn’t stop in the second half.
York pulled two ahead once more, but they were their own worst enemy, turning McCaig’s low fizzed corner into their own net after a brief scramble.

With time ticking down, Kelly once more found a yard of space on the right and it was a case of déjà vu for York as he again found the top corner with a spectacular strike.

It was a deserved point for Sunderland 2nds, who other than the first few minutes were dominant and they could have nicked it late on, as Kelly had a late chance but drew a great stop from the York keeper.

In the second game, York St John’s won by an 8-3 scoreline in a game that truly could have gone either way.
Sunderland 2nds spurned some good chances that would have made for a tighter game, and in truth, the 8-3 scoreline flattered YSJ.
Sunderland once again fell behind early as a York St John’s forward hammered a ball low into the net after some lax defending, before a quick corner caught Sunderland off guard and YSJ doubled their lead.

Nathan Jefferson prodded home from close range with his first touch off the bench and Sunderland improved as the half went on, but couldn’t quite get back into the game
After a string of good saves from Sunderland keeper Eddy Robertson, YSJ eventually broke through as they fired a rebound home to make it 3-1.

The ball broke in the box to a YSJ player who roofed the ball from a tight angle. Sunderland heads refused to drop, but it was a tough task.

York smashed home an emphatic fifth as the game looked to slip away from Sunderland, but Kelly hit an unstoppable drive from right to left, similarly to his earlier goals, to make it 5-2 before half time.

Sunderland created two gilt-edged chances but as Ayman Hatem and Kelly spurned them, YSJ broke and a swift counter attack led to them making it 6-2 with 10 minutes left.

Kelly did everything he could to drag Sunderland back into it, hitting the post with another powerful strike, but York broke and bagged another two with quick breaks with Sunderland pushing for goals.

Jefferson smashed home a lethal third as Sunderland got the goal their attacking play deserved, and at the other end Jack McCaig cleared a goal-bound strike off the line.

Sunderland felt a little disappointed to have lost by such a big margin, given that they were in the game for large periods, but unfortunately they couldn’t convert that into goals.



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