Middlesbrough Futsal Club took on top of the table Manchester and said a big G’day to Boro new boy Corey Smith with their own version of Australia Day at Thornaby Pavillion. Boro and Socceroos star Rhys Williams was guest of honour as Boro tried to overtake their rivals. Boro Futsal’s roving reporter Elle Brunton was there to bring you all the action.
Rhys was familiar with futsal having played a similar game in his younger days back in Australia, but was impressed with what he saw.
Australian flags and kangaroos were the order of the day as the club welcomed Corey, who joined Middlesbrough this month from Australian side Vikings, as part of a partnership between the two clubs.
Carnagill Athletic FC, from Carnagill Community Primary School in Catterick, walked out with the Boro team as mascots and there was kangaroo themed face-painting on offer.
Raffle tickets also went on sale for the first time to win a signed Middlesbrough Football Club shirt which will be drawn at the end of the season.
The buzzing atmosphere was helped in no small measure by Boro’s most passionate fans the Red Faction and the presence of Boro and Socceroos ace Rhys Williams gave everybody a lift.
Rhys, said: “It’s a really high standard, you can tell it’s a top of the table clash and that some of these guys play for England. The commitment to the game is impressive too, they don’t get paid, the goalkeeper travels from Liverpool to be here, that’s what you need in a team.”
Rhys watched the game from the stands with Corey.
Corey, said: “We talked a bit about back home and it was nice of Rhys to offer to help me settle in but honestly I just can’t wait to get on the pitch!”
Boro started the game the stronger of the two sides, with goals from Robbie Bettson, Marc Caballeria and Pete Bulmer giving them a 3-0 lead within seven minutes.
The scores were unchanged at half time and when Mikey Roberts scored the fourth early in the second half it seemed that Boro would go on to do the double over the Manchester side.
Unfortunately defensive errors and the accumulation of fouls cost Boro dearly and they quickly conceded two goals through England internationals, Cook and Richardson, shortly after clocking up five fouls.
Boro captain Robbie Bettson made it five for Boro with ten minutes remaining but two penalties from Cook, for the sixth and seventh fouls, took Manchester up to five. And as the Boro bench and fans held their breath Haralambous scored with Manchester’s equaliser with just 8 seconds left on the clock.
It was a devastating blow for the Boro contingent who knew a win would have taken them top, but the overall theme of the day was one of positivity and celebration.
Corey, said: “Obviously the result in the end was disappointing but hopefully I will be able to add to an already impressive squad who are good enough to win the league.”
Although the result was demoralising for Boro, manager Damon Shaw was pleased with the event.
Damon, said: “To concede with so little time left is devastating and Manchester will consider themselves fortunate that we switched off. We were naive but can learn a lot from this and we are still on course for a place in the playoffs.
“The day itself went really well though, we can’t thank Rhys enough for coming along and staying for the whole game, its great to be recognised by the football club and its exciting for the players and the fans.
“Hopefully we gave Corey a nice welcome and we’ve learnt from our mistakes. Now we’ve just got to push on and make sure we beat Tranmere.”
Boro will pick themselves up and regroup in time to welcome Tranmere to Thornaby Pavillion on February 19th, with everything still to play for.
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