The FA has been asked that the winners of the current GFL Leagues (Tuesday/Wed'/Thursday) will play a 3 team play off to determine the Grimsby representative for the qualifying stage of the FA Futsal Cup.

Click here to watch a video of finals 2010.

I managed to count 3 Grimsby faces on the video, but you have to be alert.

Ben Mortlock playing for Sheffield, myself  (FCGY - holding clip board - blink and you will miss it), Gavin Sartain refereeing, and there might be a frame of Mathew Payne, but not sure.

FA National Futsal League 

Sunday 15th

Leeds Futsal Club 6 - Tranmere Victoria 6

 Leading 4 -1 with 12 minutes on the  clock Leeds was in a commanding position; the only downside was they had conceded 5 fouls.  Usually not to much of a problem, players know what needs to be done, they have to defending without fouling. Foul Leeds did, and Tranmere punished them from the 10 meter free shot mark (5-3).  5 minutes left and Leeds reopened the three goal gap. Tranmere with nothing to lose used the flying goal keeper tactic, Leeds conceded another foul, free 10 meter shot - Tranmere scored (5-3).

Amazingly Leeds conceded two more fouls, both punished (5-5). 

Leeds then scored - 6-5.   78 seconds left, and Leeds blundered with another foul,  Tranmere free shot and an equalizer (6-6).

Free 10 meter shots have a 50% success rate, Tranmere was 100% from 5.

Grimsby Matt Payne (Leeds) scored 1 and had 1 assist; 'our manager went ballistic in the changing room' said Matt.

The draw had cost Leeds top spot in FA League North.

Judging  by player reactions as I arrived at venue and teams left Trawl was best satisfied  having taken a point off League Winners BBS.

From reports an excellent game.

Could write pages about this game.  The score does not reflect the huge effort and commitment Saxons put into this game, two breath taking clearances off the line after the GK was beaten was an example of 'never give up' spirit that some younger fitter, non smokers could take example from.

With a bare 5 squad against 7 younger players, and make no mistake GRS was excellent, Saxons did well to keep the score limited to five at the break.

In a magic moment in the second half Saxons scored two within a minute, booth disallowed, how cruel can life be. The first a foul was called before the goal and the second was direct from a kick in, which is not allowed.

 Shamrock 7 - El Dogoes 9

 Nip and tuck until the very end, two excellent teams that will give the rest of the league a work out for any scraps they pick up.

Great game spoiled by an unsavoury incident between two Shamrock players when late on they contrived to lose the game.

 The matter is being dealt with, as the league must to maintain its credibility.

 Great to see All Blacks, led by the Thatari brothers back in the league. This team can play, they just need to rediscover futsal tactics, which with Lee Graves in goal should not take long.

Within minutes they had opened a two goal lead and StreetSoccer looked frail.  Credit to StreetSoccer who found a new level, got back at All Blacks and was close to a point.

 All Stars goal is damage limitation, they know they have tough times ahead.Against the odds they took the lead and at half time was 4 goals adrift.

The second half did the damage as All Stars a couple of All Stars players lost their way, the frustrating thing was three All Star players put in a real shift.

This league is full of mouth watering clashes to come, the closeness of the first two scores shows how tight games will be, and remember these are 40 minute small sided games.

 Picture for all the GFL to be proud of, Dan Mawer (right), was bench official for his first FA National League game Sunday.

To make it an even better day Gavin Sartain, as senior match official, got the opportunity to wear his coveted FIFA badge for the first time.

The match score, Liverpool surpassed their expectations drawing 4-4 with Middlesbrough.

 Going to this weeks matches the table read:

Young's Seafood's    5    4    1    0    30    20    10    13    WDWWW (5)
Willows Valiant         5    3    1    1    35    25    10    10    WDWWL (4)
Shamrock Rovers     5    1    1    3    24    31     -7    4    LWLDL (0)
Grimsby Catalonia    5    0    1    4    27    40    -13    1    LLLDL (0)
 

 This left Valiant needing to win and by +3 goals. They was missing their talisman Danny Powers because of injury.  Before a gaol had been scored they had hit the Shamrock post and bar three times.

A weakened Valiant and Shamrock strengthened by Danny Hornigold made for a highly competitive match, no player can have left the court without leaving a couple of pints of sweat on it.

Shamrock made Valiants task harder with an opening goal, Valiant levelled, 1-1. From their 2-1,2-2,3-2,3-3, and then 4-3 to Valiant. This would have levelled them on points with Youngs', but asking for +3 goals in the last five minutes was asking to much. 

Shamrock hit them on the break and levelled 4-4.

First on was Youngs' missing Danny North who I presume has returned to his professional career in Ireland after their winter break.  Early warning signs was their as Cat's, brilliantly led by Luke Chissenal, took a 2-0 lead, soon reduced to 2-1. From then on the game looked to much for Cat's Young's levelled and then for long period led, opening up a 2-0 goal gap with the clock closing down. 

 Final table:

 Junior Futsal/Football coaching at YMCA

Restart 8-45AM

Saturday 8th January

Saturday morning 9-10AM, YMCA.

Cost £3

Private session for junior players aged under 9.

The session aim is technique, footwork and game play.

Long term aim is develop players into mini soccer/futsal teams.

Players get to train in warm hall with a ball for each player.

Parent recommendations available.

Limited numbers.

FA qualified, CRB checked.

Contact

Kevin Bryant

07980 28663

or 

01472 235704

Click for Poster

The Grimsby Futsal League and the Grimsby Referee Association can be very proud that Gavin Sartain (picture second right) has been elevated to the FIFA Futsal referee list.

A huge achievement that recognises Gavin's undoubted qualities as a referee, and for those of us who have watched  his career step by step, recognises his dedication to achieve.  Gavin has put the hours on the clock and the miles on the road to get to this new pinnacle in his career.