After a few background problems and the reluctance of many to travel a difficult distance for forty minutes of Futsal, and added to that the ban for DH, a coach away in Tanzania, several injuries to key players and the fact that this disparate bunch of futsal players had never played together before, a bystander could be forgiven for thinking that Grimsby were heading for a demolishing by the Premier League North and Great Britain University Champions. The small, and most would argue inadequate, squad, warmed up carefully and got to know each other; all had been signed on but had never once met at the same time. The first half kicked off at a ferocious pace, and Boro quickly went one up with a cracking drive from 15 yards that gave our young keeper no chance at all. A little slow to close down, Grimsby looked as though they could well have been facing a rough ride from a jubilant and highly confident Boro team. Never the less with Igo in goal, Danny, Matt H and Matt P switching and Josh up front, the pace, movement and individual skill soon had Boro on the back foot and even though the Teesiders had several shots come back off the woodwork in one attack, Grimsby had just as many shots saved well at close range by an impressive keeper.

With only one sub to rotate the lads were stretched to the limit and Matt Payne was the only man to last the full forty, JP coming off injured with six minutes left on the clock.
The sustained pressure created by using Josh Parry as a point target man and Matty Payne using excellent footwork to create space and room for shots, the Grimsby lads looked likely to score eventually. The Boro lads were rattled by Grimsby's invention and the willingness for Josh and Matty to use their quick feet and pace to go at players. Grimsby had six shots saved and Josh hit the post before Matty Horner equalised after a flowing move. Boro tried to counter but even with a very organised outfit, they have few players like Matt Payne or Josh parry that can turn a game with individual flair and they often resorted to long or high balls over the top. A further period of sustained pressure  from Grimsby created a second goal as Parry pounced on a rebound to calmly pick his spot for his sixth goal in his four appearances. The Grimsby lads were growing in confidence and stature all the time. The half petered out in the last minute and the team had a well earned break. HT 1 v 2

It has been suggested that when league is finished the title be decided using  a 'playoff' system?

A playoff would keep interest maintained throughout league.

The higher your team finished the better your opportunity to win title as you would play a lower team in the playoffs as a consequence.

In an 8 team league 1 would play 8, 2v7, 3v6 & 4v5.

A Playoff Night, playing 20 minute games?

Your opinions or alternative ideas please.

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From matches I have seen so far this week (reports received), 2 teams have impressed and both lost!  Grimsby Institute, with Steve Goodwin sensational in goal, took the experienced Youngs' close in the Premier Division.  Grimsby Saxons, having played Scartholonia sportingly stayed on to play BBS Couriers.  Top vs. bottom.  Saxons to their credit rattled Rob Phillips team and ony a late rally of goals saved Rob's night.

Another bottom table team that overachieved was West Marsh u/10's; losing 5-1 to the experienced N Waltham; no mean feat.

Market Hotel 1 Inbetweeners was another result that showed a bottom end team making strides forward.  Inbetweeners have rattled up 134 goals in 13 games.

The fact that Steve Goodwin has put in 2 tremondous goal keeping performances in a week ,plus took, what was from the feed back, a brilliant  futsal coaching session with Grimsby Soccer Club under 10's gives him the 'performance of the week.'

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 16/03/2010        Release Ref: MFC201017   Site: http://borofutsal.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FREE ENTRY FOR BORO AND DARLO FANS!

Middlesbrough Futsal Club take on Grimsby on Sunday at Thornaby Pavilion, kicking off at 2pm.  The British University Champions are hoping to play in front of a bumper crowd to support their bid to retain the FA Futsal League North title and are offering all Boro and Darlo fans the chance to get in free!

Boro are second despite having played five away games out of six, and now are within touching distance at the top.  Boro have a great chance in the second part of the season with six out of eight games at Thornaby Pavilion with some exciting and important clashes on the cards starting with Grimsby this week and home support could be decisive in the title race.

Chairman Damon Shaw, who works at Darlington Football Club as Community Liaison Officer, wants to give something back to the local football clubs who have supported Middlesbrough Futsal Club.  “Darlington gave us kits to play in in our first three games and Boro have offered plenty of support over the years and we want to offer their fans something in return, while increasing the awareness of our club and what futsal is!” he said.

“It’s such a good sport to watch; it’s indoor, there are plenty of goals and lots of action and we’re one of the country’s top teams, playing in the equivalent of the Premier League.  As a taster, any Boro or Quakers fan with a season ticket or ticket from this Saturday’s game can come to watch Middlesbrough Futsal Club for free against Grimsby – I guarantee they will enjoy it!”

Love Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough’s main sponsor will also be there giving out merchandise, including inflatable noise makers to create an atmosphere inside the pavilion and the BUCS Championship Trophy, a replica of the UEFA Champions’ League will be available to have photos taken with before kick off.

To get in free, simply present your season card/ticket or ticket stub from the Reading or Barnet game.  Entry is normally £2 for adults, £1 for kids.

For more information on how to get into futsal and match previews and reports, visit BoroFutsal.com

<ENDS>

Notes to editor:

Another great night of under 10's futsal got week off to a great start:

The opening game was a friendly between Discoveries Jets and a Grimsby Soccer Club Select. originally the fixture was to have been St Martins but not enough notice was given to parents to form team.  They will be back.  Discoveries Jets improve with every game of futsal played.  Any team wishing to try futsal for a first time is welcome to give them a game as at present they are only playing friendly games.

Little Devils vs. Discoveries Futsal u/10's was as tight as the 3-1 scoreline suggested.  2-0 to Little Devils at half time, Discoveries rose to the challenge to draw the second period 1-1 (final score 3-1). Discoveries will rue late chances missed.  Goal of the night for me was Tom Hunter's slide rule pass into the corner of the Discoveries net.

Mid table Lightening Lads played first half futsal like a top position team, running up a 4-0 half time lead.  GSC Panthers showed great second period character pulling the game back to 4-2, 5-2 and finally 5-3.  The game ran out of time for a total recovery.  Both keepers made saves in the top corner when from a spectators viewpoint the shots was not savable.

Grimsby Institute performance of week was  Rion (GSC). an outstanding performance of energy, ability, passion, determination, a performance to be proud of.

other contenders Yarra for close win over GRS; Newton Heath for 2 great wins in week, Market Hotel for taking game close against East Marsh and Barca for same against prolific Inbetweeners.

A great article well worth reading.........

http://www.scribd.com/doc/16607270/Futsal-Essay