Tuesday fixtures abandoned after torrential downpour.

In the only match started Valiant was 8-4 against Shamrock when rain stopped play with ten minutes left on clock. management Committee will decide if result stands or game is re played.

Junior County Football Cup - Under 12's

Just two local teams left in competition, Discoveries and Grimsby Soccer Club.  Both play in Novartis Junior Futsal League, coincidence or does futsal really improve soccer?

If you cannot see connection you need to get your 'head out of the sand.'

 Josh Parry, breaking story.........

Ex Kent St and FC Grimsby player gets pro contract in Malta.  Story to follow..........

GRS 1 Newton Heath 4

Superb match, GRS making Dan Roger’s Newton Heath work for their win.  GRS’s ‘Cocoa’ hit the goal frame four times for. Stunning strikes.  Newton are proving tough nut to crack, they keep great shape, and have a keeper that can be relied upon when needed.  Their biggest asset? ‘Biffa’ – he keeps a low but makes life hard for opposition as two men have to mark him, he can go past a man left or right.

EDF Cottam 15 Grimsby AFC 4

Late goals gave the score line a flattering appearance for EDF.  For most of the first half Gy kept great defensive shape, they was two goals down after ten and 5 down after twenty minutes, a lot of defensive work.

Second period EDF pushed onto 10 -0 and then an inspired Gy spell. 10-4!  Had the newcomers cracked the futsal code?  A late collapse say’s no, but progress was made, that’s all you ask of any team.

GSC 7 Blaine 13

Of GSC’s seven goals, all seven would qualify in top ten goals of the night.  The defensive end needs to be as good as the attacking end?  Blaine was clinical, Kieran playing the best I have seen him play, netting half the Blaine goals and assisting in others.

GSC has lodged a complaint against Steve playing in goal for Blaine.  I would point out to all teams that are short of a keeper using Steve means clearing with me before a game, you cannot just ask him and not inform myself.  Teams can use one loan player, but again it must be cleared with the opposition before kickoff, they have the right of veto.  The rules are made to help teams keep games on when they have injuries or a late work call out; they are not there to be tactically abused.

AFC Trawlermen 11 Gy Saxons 2

Comments off the touchline tell their own story; GY Saxon’s moved their game to a new level.  I did not watch full game, but saw several great Saxon’s passing moves that lacked the clinical finish of the opposition.  Had the GK’s switched sides a 6-6 draw?  That is not being disrespectful to Gy keeper who is not a youthful specialist in that position.

 Great to see Mathew Payne reaping the reward's for the futsal miles he has travelled.

A natural goal scorer with fast feet to match, can Matt push that bit futher to a full cap.  

If effort meant caps, Matt would have a cupboard full already.

Matt plays in the FA National Futsal League which means travel to Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester etc most Sunday's.

 Novartis Year 7/8 League

Lions Pride 13 Discoveries 2

Score flatters Lions; Discoveries was not eleven goals behind them.  First half did not help when Discoveries was pushed back by the Lions in the face of a strong wind.  7-0 at half time.

The two second half goals was justice for Discoveries, credit to them that they always tried to play the ball out from defence to attack on the floor, playing off angles.  I counted one eight pass Discoveries play, a sign of the ability of the teams when the bottom team is putting eight  passes together.

For me its defence that’s costing them, not the back players, but the forward players that are not responding quickly enough when the team loses the ball.

Little Devils 6 Elite 1

This was the best I have seen Little Devils play, every player played his part, Elite was loaned the ball, when Little Devils had the ball they controlled play.

The difference between the teams was highlighted at goal keeper throw out’s.  Every LD’s player found space, Elite players pushed into centre court, body language for ‘I don’t want the ball.’

Fusion Colts 2 Futsal Tigers 6

Fusion Colts must be credited for the standard of their play against Tigers who moved level top after win.  Ex pro Don Wilson took over team coaching and it was obvious from the outset that the players was listening and benefiting from his input. 

Fusion’s Kyle was for me the player of the night, ran his socks off, had technique and could tackle when needed, almost always coming out with the ball.  Some players are locked in a position, Kyle is where the play is, defence or attack.  A 9 out of 10 performance against older players.

Tigers must be credited with some great approach play that was rewarded with the teams six gaol tally.

Red Dragon’s 7 YMCA 1

All the winning teams opened up big leads starting with the wind behind them, significant or coincidence?  Dragon’s was 5-0 to the good by the break.   Dragon’s have a different style of futsal to most other teams, they like to get the ball forward into danger areas quickly, once the ball is ‘in the mix’ they have two sharp strikers that feed like shark’s off half chances.  A mean defence makes it hard to create opportunities and get shots off at the Dragon’s gaol. 

The League is at a fascinating stage, Panthers and Tigers jointly five points clear,  Dragon’s just edged third in league, locked in battle with Fusion on same points.  Every team is capable of beating another, watch this space.

Grimsby FC 2 GRS All Stars 12

Experience vs. Futsal inexperience always ends the same way, defeat for the newcomers.  The first season can almost be like paying for golf lessons.  Grimsby FC will with a few more games start collecting points.  They have a keeper par excellence. Outfield players with skill and pace, the next stage is harnessing individual talents into team talent.  Not easy, but has to be accomplished.  Support the keeper, stop the goals, defend organised, goals will come.

Newton Heath 13 Grimsby Saxons 2

Saxons deserve credit for being competitive against a very, very good Newton team.  Newton is a team with goal possibilities from every player.  Saxons stayed together as a team even when the game was way beyond them, in fact in the last ten minutes they could have added to their tally, if they could just finish off 2v1 1nd 3 v 1 situations on a high percentage basis.

AFC Trawlermen 2 Scartholonia 2

Scartholonia slowly starting to grasp art of defence, and the rewards it brings. Trawl dropping unexpected points, taking pressure off Newton at top.  A third of the league is currently fighting for second place.

EDF Cottam 11 Grimsby Soccer Club 10

The score tells the full story, two teams playing without defences.  You score one, we will score two. Beats 0-0 draws.

Anyone watch Italian league matches on TV last week?  First five was 0-0, followed by a 2-0 thumping.

GRS 9 Shamrock 10

Score makes the game look as though the two teams slugged out like two punch boxers.  Not completely true.  The game started off with Lee Bushell gifting GRS an easy tap in goal from a miss pass.  GRS then followed with three more, the game was there to be won after only ten minutes.  Shamrock had an inner spirit that if they could get a goal back another would follow and time was on their side.  So it transpired 4-4 at half time.

The second half saw GRS always ahead until the last minute when Shamrock levelled and then scored a winner.  At the close players of both teams was physically and mentally exhausted.  GRS need a sports psychologist to help them close out games, it’s that serious.

Franklin College 0 El Dogo’s 15

Franklin had a scratch team out, to their credit they did not call me whinging to have the game moved to another week, and they got on with what they had.  No disrespect to players but the team lacked the cohesion of Franklin last week.  In fairness El Dogo’s was on fire, all fifteen goals were probably tap-ins, crafted from seasons of futsal.  For any team with newcomer’s El Dogo’s on fire is a baptism of fire.

Clee Wander’s 4 Willows Valiant 8

Clee are great on organised defence, and after wounding Valiant by taking a 2-0 advantage after only five minutes, defence was going to be needed; Valiant have fire power (Mason and Payne), by comparison Clee was firing blanks.  Clee attack as a group, find a top scorer and the gap on the tap teams will close dramatically.

Discoveries Titans 14 Toll Bar 0

Bizarre set of results, three teams winning by big margins, and yet opposition not disgraced.

Titans are Grimsby’s answer to Barcelona.  They pass and move so quickly, so easily that opposition are chasing shadows.  The fact that Toll Bar never scored is a testament to the fact they can defend, and then when the defence is breached they have a goal keeper that can catch flies.

Listening to Toll Bar at half time and full time I am sure they have not just played Titans they have learnt from and the next game will be tighter.

Crow’s Nest Red 0 Humberstone 24

Humberstone are experienced futsal players, Crow’s Nest raw newcomers, and an unfair contest before a ball has been kicked.  Unfortunately we all have to start somewhere, for the Crow’s it was a master class from Humberstone.  Most of their goals would not have looked out of place in senior Futsal at the highest level. 

Crow’s Nest Blue 0 FC United 14

Having watched their ‘Red’ team Crow’s Nest Blue had time to digest their baptism of fire and at least to be a little more prepared.  Which they were.  The fact they did not score was down to rush finishing, chances was created.  FC United on the other hand was clinical, just like Humberstone and Titans they know where the striker is going to be three passes before the ball reaches him.

The best of our men’s teams would be pleasantly surprised to witness the Thursday League quality.

 WEDNESDAY LEAGUE

Newton Heath 7 Blaine 4

When the going gets tough, the tough get going.  This was a big must win test for Blaine.  Unfortunately they had Clasper away and were a man short until help arrived just before kickoff.

Four out of four for Newton who, even at this early stage of the league, look on track for fourth title.  Someone has to step up to the plate and beat them to open up the competition.  Mathew Payne played for Newton's which is not going to make oppositions job any easyier.

AFC Trawlermen 12 Grimsby AFC 1

Grimsby AFC was indebted to a top class goal keeping display to keep the score down to twelve.  Trawlermen passed their opposition ‘off the pitch.’  New teams often have to take these defeats to learn from, Futsal has attics that need to be respected otherwise there is a price to be paid.

Scartholonia 6 Grimsby Soccer Club 3

  Second win of league for Scartho,’ a stunning statistic as they have players to be at top end of league, or is it that you always meet nicer people at bottom end of table?

Steve Goodwin saved Scartho’ with two exceptional saves when it looked he was well beaten.

How do you play 6 lose 2 and have a plus 1 goal difference?

GRS 5 EDF 5

How often do I report a GRS match going to the wire?  Time and time again they are involved in tight matches.  Fast end to end game reflected by score.

El Doge’s 0 Willows Valiant 8

The improbable story here was that Valiant had to play well; el Doge’s was no pushover as the score suggests. They would have beat most teams playing as they did, it was just that Valiant went up two or was it three gears.  They played the game at their own pace throughout, knowing that if they kept a clean sheet a goal would win the game.  Close to half time scores was level until Mathew Payne scored a goal that only he seems capable of.  If there had been another coat of paint on the post it would not have gone in!  Dan Powers can take credit for a great squad of players, but more important he has his players playing to a ‘script.’  Superb game, great advert for league.

Trawl 7 YMCA Futsal 4

First win of new league for Trawl, although they have picked up points from drawn matches.  Trawl was always just too good for YMCA who attack off the cuff rather than tactically plans an attack. YMCA when they lose the ball fail to respond with immediate four man defence, as a consequence they pay the penalty at both ends - missed chances and goals conceded off the counter. If or when YMCA get the defence right they will have a base to pick up points. Trawl had two new quality acquisitions that allowed the established players respite, a luxury they have not had for weeks.  Trawl will give everyone a tough test even if their league position indicates otherwise.

Shamrock 3 Franklin College 4

Great to see Shamrock back with team, nothing changes as they lose another close fought game.  No disrespect to Shamrock when I say this game was a contrast of styles, Shamrock having the stronger older players, College the impetus of youth.  Without college tutor and FA National League player Pete Sylvester, College looked vulnerable, where would leadership come from.  Lee Potter on bench was ‘pulling the strings’ his young squad listened, responded and went 2-0.  Second half Shamrock lifted their game to equalise; the game was now youth vs. experience.  Both teams had chances, but with the clock running down Franklin conjured a gaol, followed by a fourth as the whistle blew for full time.

Surprise package Franklin moved into second place, the strongest youth side the league has seen in ten years?

Clee Wanders’ 3 GRS 2

Without a keeper Phil Wakefield was forced into goal, not a bad decision as he had a ‘blinder.’  Clee was brilliant, experience trumping youth.  Jenk’s playing as front pivot for Clee was inspirational.  Jenk’s can lace an old leather football; his opponents would not know what one looked like.  He and his team did not just match GRS physically but they had the savvy to out think them.  Yes GRS should have done better with the greater number of chances created, but how Clee closed the game out 3-2 when for the last ten minutes traffic was coming one way was a great example of how to defend a lead.  GRS was excellent, Clee excellent and a bit added.