Futsal Panthers

Year 7/8 Winners 2011

Lions Pride

Fusion 9-4 GSC Dynamite

Fusion, in their eleven side format S C Apollo. had a comfortable 1-0 win on Sunday, Dynamite by comparison left every ounce of energy on the pitch in a hard fought Sunday showdown with stable mates GSC Colts. Did it affect futsal result? Probably not, what affected most teams was an all day schools five aside tournament that meant many players had played all afternoon before their evening game.  Contrary to what we read in the papers these lads’ are super fit.  Back to the game, Fusion on their game are a test for any team, Dynamite met Fusion on the wrong day.

Elite 6-6 Lions Pride

What a stupendous advert for futsal.  Elite started off brilliantly, every player passing and moving with Lion’s Pride matching them on the counter attack, every ball played by every player was intelligently made.  Then just before break Elite opened up a 2-0 goal lead.

Half time was fascinating listening to Lions’ players having strong opinions to add to Stu Orr’s half time team talk.  They were not prepared to let Elite run away with game, they wanted to get back at them, lift their game.

The worst happened, minutes gone and Elite added two more.  Game over, it had to be.  Then the fight back, unbelievable, 0-4 to 4-4 and more drama to follow.  Elite retrieved the lead, Lions’ replied, Elite scored with John Mawer looking at his watch, Lion’s had one last chance, mid half the ball was hanging in the year, Elite defenders in the box, the ball was perfectly struck with power and precision – GOOOAL!  6-6. Every player played brilliantly, teams and players are now exceeding what parents and coaches might have expected from twelve months ago.

Futsal Panthers 4-1 Little Devils

Panthers’ needed a win to take the title with one game in hand.  Panthers are proving themselves up to the challenge in year 9/10 league, so physically they had no fears of year younger Devil’s players.  Little Devils’ will compete with the best and so it proved.  Panthers was never fully tested because Devil’s snatched at or missed to many chances, when they did get shots’ off ‘Aiden’ in Panther’s goal saves shots that would beat most other keepers.  Jack Boswell was exceptional for Little Devil’s.

Futsal Panthers 3-4 Red Dragons

Panthers’ accepted to play back to back games this week; fortunately they won title on previous result.  Dragon’s was always a goal behind until the final minutes when first they equalised and then spoiled Panthers party with a dramatic late winner.  A feature of this Dragon’s performance was the absence of long ball play; they looked so much the better for it.  The players are all skilled with a ball; it’s hard to be skilled when the ball’s in the air.  The best I can recall Dragon’s playing this league.

Quietly behind the top two there has been a season long battle for third place, Fusion win means they have just nicked third spot from Dragon’s.