Courtesy: News & Star


Cockermouth Panthers crowned the 2016 Winter Futsal League champions on Finals day

7 December 2016

The Under-13s 2016 Winter Futsal Champions were crowned at Lakes College on Friday but, before they were, there was the matter of the consolation Final between Workington Wanderers Reds and Seaton Juniors.

Both these teams have had a mixed season to reach this stage with Workington Wanderers getting off to a slow start but, as each week went by, they have gained more and more confidence in their own abilities, resulting in them reaching a final.

Seaton on the other hand got off to a good start, had a little bit of a wobble in the middle of the season and then recovered to reach the final.

These teams have previously met on two occasions this season and, with both teams chalking up a win apiece, this was set to be a great game.

Both teams played their part in this final, making it a brilliant opening game to Finals day. All the players who have taken part should be extremely proud of themselves for reaching a final and making it the game it was.

With every final there has to be a winner and this time around the congratulations go to Seaton Juniors who came out on top with an 8-4 win.

Next was the Champions Final. This game was between Workington Wanderers Whites and Cockermouth Panthers.

The excitement of this game had been building up during the previous game as players and spectators arrived early and, although both sets of players were obviously looking forward to playing, there were a few butterflies in the stomachs of those watching.

Could Panthers go the whole season without being beaten or could Wanderers Whites achieve something no other team had managed to do so far?

The match got under way and, with both teams looking at bit hesitant in making some quick attacks as this would make their goal vulnerable, it was obvious the crowd was in for a tight game between two teams showing each other the respect they deserved.

It was the Panthers who managed to break the deadlock first and scored a well-executed goal, however, Wanderers Whites soon cancelled the goal out with a well-worked goal of their own.

This goal alerted the Panthers to just how quick the Whites can counter attack if given the chance, so they went to their usual style of play, which is a very quick tempo passing game.

With the Panthers starting to play like this, it spurred on the Whites to play their usual similar style of play, however by then, the Panthers had already scored another two quick goals and with this little bit of a lead, it allowed Cockermouth to really get into their stride with a free-flowing passing game.

Whites were matching Cockermouth's style of play at times and some of the teamwork and individual skills from both sets of players was breathtaking, however as time went by, the pressure seemed to be building more on the Whites who were just beginning to force the ball a bit too much.

The early goals were the difference in this game as it gave Panthers the upper hand and the confidence to get into their stride quicker, which allowed them to go on and win the final 6-2.

Whites should take heart from reaching the final and playing their part in it. On another day, the result could of gone the other way and I'm sure they will be back to challenge for the title again.

Congratulations to Cockermouth Panthers who are worthy champions of the 2016 Winter Futsal League and, along with the title, they will now be travelling to Ewood Park on February 18 to be coached by some of Blackburn Rovers' coaches, prior to the match between Blackburn Rovers and Derby County.

After spending some time in the Fanzone and the GAME room, they will then form a pitch-side flag guard of honour for the players coming out of the tunnel onto the pitch.

At half-time, they will go back on to the pitch to try and emulate previous Ewood Park regulars like Alan Shearer, Chris Sutton, Benni McCarthy and Matt Jansen by taking a penalty on the famous Ewood Park pitch.



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