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Super Magpies Make It To FA Finals |
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Written by Kevin Bryant
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Monday, 18 June 2007 |
[img]http://grimsby.jmdshosting.co.uk/images/uploads/DSCF0038.JPG[/img]
Magpies captain Mark Huntley about to convert penalty vs. Leeds Barca
Leeds Barca 3 Hull Gemtec 8
Hull Gemtec 2 Nicol Magpies 2
Leeds Barca 4 Nicol Magies 10
Magpies Nicol will once again represent Grimsby in the FA National Futsal
Finals in Sheffield after winning the regional qualifying tournament in
dramatic fashion on Sunday.
Magpies went into the final game of the tournament needing a victory by at
least five goals against Leeds-based FC Barsa to clinch a place in July's
finals – and they achieved it with an emphatic 10-4 victory.
After topping the Grimsby Futsal League, Magpies had to travel to Hull's
Gemtec Arena to face the leading teams from the Northern Premier Futsal
League for a much-sought after place at the prestigious National Finals. Despite missing influential striker Paul Goodhand through injury, Magpies
took a strong squad to the North Bank - six of the eight-man squad
represented Magpies in last year's National Finals.
In the opening game of the day, FC Barsa faced Hull Gemtec. The experienced
team from Hull, packed with former professional and semi-professional
footballers, eased past the Barsa youngsters eight goals to three. A notable
performer for Hull was former Stoke, Southampton and West Brom full back
Graham Potter, whose cultured left foot proved the catalyst for much of
Hull's attacking play.
In the second game, Magpies came up against Hull Gemtec. In a cagey opening,
Magpies spent much of the first half on the back foot, defending resolutely
against the speedy Hull forwards. Magpies were unable to sustain any
possession and goalkeeper Dale Spalding had to be quickly off his line to
thwart several Hull attacks. As the half went on, Magpies settled and began
to hit their opponents on the break and they got the breakthrough goal with
a well taken strike from Danny Durusemo.
In the second half, Magpies continued to defend with excellent shape and
discipline, closing down attackers and throwing themselves in front of
goal-bound shots. Excellent challenges from Danny Webber and Craig Ashworth
denied the dangerous Potter any chances on goal. Still Magpies were
dangerous on the break and they were rewarded with a second goal, again the
superb Durusemo applying the finish. At 2-0 down, Hull threw more men
forward and their pressure paid off with a good strike to make it 2-1.
Magpies had their chances to finish the game off but back came Hull with an
equalising goal five minutes from time. In a frantic finale, both sides
could have gone on to win the game but the draw was a fair result.
The 2-2 scoreline meant that in the final game, Magpies had to beat FC Barsa
by a bigger margin than Hull's 8-3 win over the Leeds-based side to win the
tournament. Magpies attacked from the first whistle and a couple of early
goals from skipper Mark Huntley gave them the belief that they could go on
to achieve the task in hand. However, Magpies were reduced to four players
when defender Ashworth saw red for a rash tackle. The extra man paid off for
FC Barsa and they got themselves back in the game at 2-1. That was the
wake-up call Magpies needed and after being restored to five players, they
played some scintillating futsal. Goals from Danny Hornigold (2), Lee
Wilkinson (2) and Durusemo put Magpies 7-1 up with the game just fifteen
minutes old. Barsa pulled one back but Huntley completed his hat-trick from
the penalty spot to restore Magpies's six goal advantage at half-time. If
they could remain six goals ahead, Magpies knew they would be heading for
the Sheffield finals. As Magpies tired in the second half, they began to
give away possesion and made things difficult from themselves at times with
some sloppy passing. Barsa pulled two further goals back to make it 8-4 but
Magpies were not to be denied. The tireless Wilkinson added his second and
Durusemo deservedly completed his hat-trick to make it 10-4 to put the
joyous Magpies team through.
Magpies will eagerly await news of the draw for the Finals on 6th to 8th
July at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, where they will be
looking to improve on last year's performance as Plate runners-up.
smile][smile][smile][smile][smile]
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