FA Futsal Conference North
Sunday 26 July 2009
Manchester Futsal Club 3 Sheffield & Hallamshire Futsal Club 2
Sugden Sports Centre - Manchester


Manchester secured a narrow 3-2 win against The Northern Conference title contenders Sheffield & Hallamshire F.A. at The Sugden Centre on Sunday.

Manchester was determined to register a good result and the game began with their possession game creating some chances albeit nothing clear cut. It would be Sheffield who would register first on the score sheet with a goal that Manchester will look on with embarrassment. During a Sheffield attack Bazuri and Manna made a substitution which left Mansoor Burgess unmarked. He received a simple pass to slot the ball past debutant goalkeeper Marcos Magalhaes and into the home team’s net.

The game continued in an equal manner but it was Manchester who would score next. Ovechkin registering the equaliser with a powerful shot into the top corner leaving the goalkeeper helpless and the score 1-1 at half time.

Manchester came out the better of the two teams in the 2nd half and a low strike by Samuel Richardson was stylishly finished by Bradley who flicked it behind him and under Sheffield’s goalkeeper. The goal of the match was to follow with Richardson producing a magical piece of individual play to make it 3-1. Manchester’s number 10 shimmied and feinted his way to goal on a mazy dribble that included a nutmeg to score a goal of distinction.

With a 3-1 lead Manchester introduced their Brazilian goalkeeper heavily in their attacking play. Though this didn’t create many chances for the team to score it allowed them to keep the ball and prevent an under strength Sheffield team getting back into the game. It didn’t last when a shot to the back post was finished by Oliver Wheatly - O'Neil This came too late for Sheffield to apply any real pressure to get the equaliser and Manchester saw out the game to earn a 3-2 victory.
Already before the encounter Manchester had slim chance of qualifying for the playoffs and with their other two rivals in the league registering wins these hopes have all but faded. The end of season report will tell of missed opportunities and underperformance, a season where they have fell short on too many occasions.

Manchester have two games left in the league against Sheffield F.C. and Grimsby but with these not played until September Manchester will focus on their preparations for the 2nd Umbro International Tournament and attempt to end the season with some silverware.

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