FA National Futsal Super League

Sunday 29th October 2017

FT: London City Futsal Club 3 – 3 Cambridge United FC Futsal (HT: 1 – 0)
University of East London UEL SportsDock, Docklands, London

Goals – Monty Bouttell, Tim Henery, Toby Hardwick

Squad – Lino Ceby (GK), Chay Jakes (GK), Angel Martinez, Justo Lopez, Chema Cruz, Monty Bouttell, Toby Hardwick ©, Tim Henery, Jonny Tofts, Enrico Barnes, Greg Birch, George Eastwood

Coach – Luis Mendonca

After two narrow defeats a resilient Cambridge United FC Futsal claimed their first hard earned points of the new FA National Futsal Super League season.

Sunday saw CUFC Futsal make the relatively short journey down the M11 to the UEL SportsDock to face London City Futsal Club. London City, formerly Baku United, have traditionally been one of the strongest teams in English futsal. Whereas Cambridge United FC Futsal have enjoyed a rapid rise to the top tier of futsal in England. Just 2 seasons ago, the Us were crowned champions of Divison 2 Midlands and secured promotion to Super League North by winning the Midlands v North play offs whilst also reaching the Futsal FA Cup Semi Finals in Manchester. Last season saw United finish 4th in Super League North which secured their place in the inaugural, single, larger FA National Futsal League this season.

A depleted Cambridge United squad travelled with a squad comprising just four experienced Europeans and eight young English players, six of whom were 18 or younger. Shorn of their Captain Alberto Morcillo after his red card in the previous game against Salisbury, youngster Toby Hardwick was handed the captain’s armband.

United started the game well and the match ebbed and flowed with neither side creating much in the way of meaningful chances which suited United. The Us defended stoutly, controlled possession and were disciplined throughout. However, half way through the first half and a brief lapse in concentration enabled London City to turn over possession, break with pace leaving them with a 2 v 1 and they made no mistake. 1-0 to London City.

Despite star man Angel Martinez hitting the post with a fine effort a minute later it was to stay this way until half time. Coach Luis Mendonca would have been satisfied with the narrow 1 goal deficit at the break.

Cambridge needed to ensure that they started the second half strongly but instead just a minute in and United found themselves 2 down when a powerful shot from distance beat Us goal keeper Lino Cebey.

To make matters worse, Cambridge also found themselves on 5 fouls for the half knowing that every further foul would result in a London City penalty. However, United had learned from the previous game against Salisbury and this time maintained their discipline.

United also didn’t let the score line affect them and just kept playing their patient game when in possession and defended sensibly when they had to. This patience was to be rewarded when a well practiced set piece saw Justo Lopez tee up Angel Martinez who feigned and beat his man on the wing before his pin point cross picked out Monty Bouttell in the area who had lost his marker and made no mistake from close range. The Us were back in it at 2-1 with 15 minutes of the second half still to play.

Cambridge knew they had a bad habit of conceding immediately after scoring but despite this less than a minute later and London City had restored their 2 goal advantage. 3-1 down away from home against an experienced London City side and United had it all to do now.

To their great credit, this young Cambridge United side just kept going and almost scored again when a good break saw Tim Henery and Toby Hardwick not quite able to finish off this good opportunity.

With 7 minutes remaining, the Us were starting to tire and London City were enjoying more of the possession so Coach Luis Mendonca knew he needed to make a change. United went ‘fly’ with youngster Monty Bouttell playing as the extra outfield goalkeeper in the absence of Alberto Morcillo. United now dominated possession but knew that any mistake would result in an almost certain London City goal. The Us were sensible, controlled and disciplined in possession but London City defended really well against the extra man and gave nothing away.

However, with 5 minutes to go, a fine piece of individual play saw Tim Henery turn one way and then the other, holding off his marker, before spinning and finishing brilliantly. 3-2 and game on.

The Us then had two good penalty claims, when Monty Bouttell and then Angel Martinez both appeared to be fouled in the area in quick succession but nothing was given for either and it looked like it wouldn’t be United’s day.

United kept going but just couldn’t find a way past a resolute London City. With 15 seconds left on the clock London City won possession but the shot from distance at the unguarded Cambridge goal went wide. Then some quick thinking from fly goal keeper Monty Bouttell saw him take advantage with a long throw back up the court to Angel Martinez who despite being marked by two players somehow found a clever pass to Tim Henery who in turn squared the ball to an unmarked Toby Hardwick who made no mistake with a thumping finish from the edge of the area to make it 3-3 with just 3 seconds left on the clock. A real captain’s contribution. Cambridge United were ecstatic and London City dejected. This time the Us saw out the last few seconds to secure a thoroughly well deserved draw and point.

Due to the international break, Coach Luis Mendonca and the CUFC squad now have two weeks of hard work to prepare for their next fixture to ensure they maintain momentum.

Cambridge United FC Futsal will next be at home on Sunday 12th November when they face last season’s champions London Helvecia Futsal Club at the Cambridge University Sports Centre. The last meeting between the two in the Futsal Super League Play-Offs ended in a 5-5 draw so it is sure to be a fantastic game.

Location

UEL SportsDock