Courtesy: Vital Football/York City


York City Futsal 5 Durham Futsal 4

National League North Division Two leaders York City Futsal scored a dramatic last-minute winner in a thrilling nine-goal spectacular with Durham at York Sports Centre.

James Briars, Robbie Bettson, Dylan McAvoy and Daniel Pedras were each on target for the hosts - but four times their valiant opponents fought back, until skipper Pedras crashed in a very late free-kick.

Match-winner Pedras had already volleyed an early opportunity wide for the unbeaten table-toppers before despatching another effort against an upright.

Durham soon headed narrowly wide at the opposite end, while Miguel De Vicente's reply was blocked by the goalkeeper. The Spaniard also saw a later free-kick deflected behind and Pedras was in turn denied by the visiting keeper having stolen possession.


York City Futsal completed a ninth successive victory in the final moments

However, York made the breakthrough with Briars registering for the third successive game after initially being thwarted at a corner. But they weren't in front for long as their opponents instantly levelled at the far post.

England international Robbie Bettson was twice wide for the hosts with the interval fast approaching, but then reclaimed their advantage early in the second-half when striking his ninth goal of the campaign from De Vicente's pass.

Goalscorer Briars almost had another after being charged down on the edge of the area, although York keeper Michael Gratton was required to produce an instinctive stop before Pedras' reply from distance was diverted away.

But Durham equalised for a second time on the break after successfully blocking a free-kick - with York typically responding straight away when McAvoy deflected in Pedras' shot at the far post.

Pedras was then twice denied additional reward by the Durham keeper, whose opposite number Gratton similarly reacted well on a couple of further occasions before also crucially saving a long-distance penalty.

Durham still managed to level for a third time at the far post with under five minutes remaining - with Robbie Bettson instantly replying too high and ahead of De Vicente setting-up Pedras to suddenly restore the lead.

The visitors certainly weren't finished though and equalised yet again - this time from another long-distance penalty with only sixty seconds of the contest outstanding.

However, Pedras, only moments after being frustrated by an upright, thumped in a very late winner before being sent-off for his goal celebrations - leaving his remaining colleagues to survive the final anxious moments of a truly dramatic encounter.


York City Futsal: Robinson, De Vicente, Pedras, McAvoy, R. Bettson

subs: J. Bettson, Rago, Gratton, Costa, Rodriguez, Briars, Richmond

Goals: Briars, R. Bettson, McAvoy, Pedras (2)



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