Sun 31/01/10 15:15 HILLSBOROUGH LEISURE CENTRE BEULAH ROAD, PENISTONE ROAD, HILLSBOROUGH, SHEFFIELD, SOUTH YORKSHIRE S6 2AN Tel: 0114 231 2233		FC GRIMSBY	7 - 4 HT 4 - 3	LIVERPOOL FUTSAL CLUB
		Starters   Starters   Sam Brooks   Danny Durrosomo   Shane Garvie   Liam Higton   Matthew Horner x2   Daniel Hornigold   Mathew Payne x4   Simon Taylor     Eliot Brown   Jorge Gazapo   James Hacking   Robert Haworth   Ronnie Johnson   Ignacio Lacruz   Endrit Malaveci   Carlos Martins   Graeme Mock   Thomas Obasi

 Match Report:

Grimsby started the game well with a long period of possession that was  immediately spoiled when Liverpool gained possession and almost scored off their first attack.  England futsal star Thomas Obasi had an unstoppable 8 minutes that almost wrecked Grimsby’s day.  A step over at pace took Obasi past his man finishing with a volley past debutant keeper Liam Higton. Minutes later its déjà vie, this time a foul prevented the shot.  From the free kick Obasi set up Jorge Gazape with a great set up return pass.

Less than 10 minutes on the clock and Grimsby was calling a ‘time out.’ Obasi had to be stopped.  Daniel Hornigold stepped up to man mark him; a job he did with huge effect for the rest of the game; Obasi was not the same player again.

Grimsby held their nerve, never rushed the game, and got their just deserts with a goal from Mathew Payne to bring them back into the game 2-1.  Higton in goal was giving Grimsby a new dimension, his ability to play with the ball at his feet was allowing his team mates time to create space; Liverpool was starting to be opened up. Another M Payne goal and Grimsby was level (2-2).

Grimsby was in full flow when Payne broke past the last defender, to be brought down.  A red card meant Liverpool had to play a man down for 2 minutes, unless FCGY scored within that period when the player could be replaced. Grimsby took full advantage of playing 5v 4 to take the lead 3-2.  Grimsby was now in full control and added a fourth to 4-2. 

This could have been more as Daniel Hornigold missed a ‘free shot’ from 10 meters after Liverpool had over stepped the 5 fouls allowed each team in any half.

Futsal can change dramatically, and from being comfortable a Liverpool strike reduced the half time break to one goal (4-3).

Liverpool pressed in the second period, and with Simon Taylor straining an ankle and Sam Brooks not firing on all cylinders a body of hard work was falling on Shane Garvey, Danny Durrosimo, Mathew Payne, Horner and Danny Hornigold who was taking his breaks as and when his England opponent took his.  Liverpool pressed but the FCGY defence was up to the task until 5 minutes into the second period ‘pool equalised.  How would the Grimsby team respond, ‘pool had more players on their bench and all appeared fully fit.  Payne eased the pressure with yet another strike; last season top FA scorer was back to his best (5-4).  Grimsby was back in control and a great run into space was stopped when the Liverpool keeper tripped Shane Garvey.  Up stepped Payne to blot his performance by missing. 

As time ran out Liverpool changed their keeper for an outfield player in goal, this allows teams to ‘push on’ but leaves their goal exposed.  Grimsby called a ‘time out.’  Without advertising ‘the call’ sufficient to say it worked to perfection; 2 goals being scored in the 1 minute 30 seconds left on the time keepers clock when the call was made.

7-4 looks comfortable on paper, to be there was nerve jangling, 0-2 down after 5 minutes, 5-4 with 90 seconds remaining is not comfortable.

Grimsby Institute man of the match, Daniel Hornigold for shackling Thomas Obasi.