In the absence of any football last weekend, I was very happy to hear that the Middlesbrough futsal season was still set to kick off with an away clash against Manchester on the Sunday afternoon. - Real men play indoors!
Middlesbrough, unlike their footballing brethren, are the defending champions in their league and despite the weather and the festive period making training difficult for the side, the boys were raring to go.
Sponsorless Boro have lost four of their most influential players in Captain Ryon Leyshon, Nick Hamblin, David Herbet and top scorer Matt Wootton, but they were determined to beat bogey team Manchester.
Manchester were the only team who managed to beat the seemingly unstoppable Boro last season. The fact that the aforementioned Hamblin now plays for Manchester was an added incentive to win.
As Boro have not been able to secure a new sponsor for the beginning of the season, Darlington Football Club kindly donated a kit for the Boro boys to play in.
Three new faces made the trip to the Sugden Sports Centre, Paul Smith, Ben Everson and goalkeeper Pete Bulmer, with Jason Kilbride promoted to captain.
Former Boro schoolboy footballer Jordan Robinson also joined the club this month, having been released by MFC, and will be looking to prove a point once he has recovered from the illness which kept him out of Sunday's match.
Having arrived three hours early, because we were being sensible and planning for weather related delays - there's a lesson for us all, never go against your natural instincts - the game finally kicked off with Robbie Bettson scoring the opener for Boro.
Boro scored the majority of their goals in the first half, not a usual trait of the side, and mistakes on both sides meant it could really have gone either way. However Boro were the victors, finally beating Manchester 4-3, courtesy of a Ben Everson hat trick.
In truth it was not the best game to watch as both sides have yet to find their feet with their respective new line ups, but it was important for Boro to get the win under their belts as they look to built on their successful 2009-10 campaign.
Manager Damon Shaw was delighted with the result but knows that the hard work is only just beginning for his new look young side.
Shaw, said: "We weren't favourites to win today, and with our record against Manchester we might have settled for a draw so to come away with all three points is great for us.
"The players battled until the final whistle and didn't allow Manchester to get the breakthrough.
"The goals we did concede were three individual errors that could really have cost us, but Ben Everson was fantastic with three quality goals."
"We've got a lot of work to do but it will give the boys confidence and it's something to build on for the next few weeks, starting with Leeds at home on Sunday."
Come hell or high water (or snow!) Middlesbrough Futsal Club will continue to play their matches, and more often than not, come out on top.
If you want to see a Boro side capable of winning their league, the first Middlesbrough home match of the futsal season takes place on Sunday (17th) against Leeds Futsal Club and the club are urging people to come and watch.
It kicks off at 2pm at Thornaby Pavilion and entry on the door is £2 adults, £1 kids and £4 for a family ticket (2 adults, 2 kids). With the club still without a sponsor home support is vital to help keep the club running.
Middlesbrough Futsal Club Secretary Neil Greaves wants to see local people supporting a local team.
Greaves, said: "Boro are one of the best futsal teams in England so the quality on show will be very high and at only £1 for kids it is excellent value. Thornaby can hold almost 400 spectators so if we were to get a decent crowd we could have a great atmosphere for our home games!"
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 14/1/2010
No comments:
Post a Comment