FA National Futsal Super League – 5pm KO – Sunday 14th January 2018 – Prenton Park, Tranmere

FT: Tranmere Rovers FC Futsal 3 – 4 Cambridge United FC Futsal (HT: 1 – 3)

Goals – Monty Bouttell (2), Justo Lopez (2)

Squad – Lino Ceby (GK), Chay Jakes (GK), Angel Martinez, Alberto Morcillo, Justo Lopez, Vitalii Burnus, Inaki Prado, Monty Bouttell, Toby Hardwick ©, George Harlow, Greg Birch, Jonathan Tofts

Head Coach – Luis Mendonca

Cambridge United FC Futsal maintain their FA Futsal National Super League unbeaten run

Sunday saw Cambridge United FC Futsal make the long trip to Prenton Park to face Tranmere Rovers FC Futsal in their first FA Futsal National Super League fixture of 2018.

Cambridge were looking to extend their good run, unbeaten in the last 5 matches leading up to Christmas with 4 wins and an excellent draw against league leaders Reading Escolla. Tranmere Rovers are currently struggling and sit second from bottom in the National Super League but have proved to be very difficult to beat at home and were desperate for the points.

Despite the long journey, United raced out of the blocks, showing no signs of rustiness after the Christmas break, and were soon 3-0 up through two well taken goals from Us youngster Monty Bouttell and a fine team move resulting in a delicate finish from Justo Lopez.

Cambridge were in complete control, the home crowd had been silenced and the youthful Tranmere were struggling to get a foothold in the game. However, a rare lapse in concentration by the Us was punished shortly before half time allowing Rovers to go into the break 3-1 down.

That goal seemed to change the momentum of the game and it was end to end after the break with Cambridge suddenly struggling to find their normal rhythm. Much to the frustration of Us Coach Luis Mendonca, chance after chance went begging for the normally clinical United as they tried to put the game to bed.

Half way through the second half, it was instead a spell of Tranmere pressure that told as they pulled a second goal back to make it 3-2 and suddenly it was game on.

Cambridge weren’t to be denied though and the Rovers goal just seemed to galvanise United and it was Justo Lopez with his second of the game with a pile-driver from distance to restore the 2 goal cushion much to the delight of the small but noisy away support.

At 4-2 Cambridge used all of their experience to regain control of the game again and despite a late Tranmere goal to make it 4-3 the Us were able to see the game out and take their first away win of the season.

This deserved result takes an improving Cambridge United side up to 5th place now in the FA Futsal National Super League.

These first Super League fixtures of 2018 are all ‘double headers’ which see Cambridge United FC now host Tranmere at the University of Cambridge Sports Centre in an early evening 5:30pm kick-off this Sunday 21st January 2018.

Location

Tranmere Rovers FC, Prenton Park, Tranmere