FA National Futsal Super League

Sunday 28th January 2018 (12pm KO)

Wolverhampton University Walsall Campus

FT: Birmingham Futsal 5 – 5 Cambridge United FC Futsal (HT: 2 – 1)

Goals – Monty Bouttell (3), Angel Martinez (2)

Squad – Jose Lima (GK), Chay Jakes (GK), Alberto Morcillo, Angel Martinez, Justo Lopez, Monty Bouttell, George Harlow, Vitalii Burnus, Nico Papadopoulous, Jonathan Tofts, Greg Birch, Enrico Barnes

Head Coach – Luis Mendonca

A Bouttell hat trick and Martinez double see Cambridge United FC Futsal extend their FA Futsal National Super League unbeaten run with a hard fought draw against Birmingham

Now unbeaten in 6 matches, comprising 5 wins and a draw against runaway league leaders Reading Escolla, Cambridge United FC Futsal travelled to the Midlands on Sunday in the FA Futsal National Super League to face 2nd place Birmingham Futsal Club. Birmingham finished as Super League North Champions last season and had won all previous encounters between the two sides including a 6 – 3 win at the University of Cambridge Sports Centre earlier in the season.

Despite being full of confidence, the Us travelled with a depleted squad, with the injured Inaki Prado and Toby Hardwick joining Chema Cruz and Pedro Pereira on the side lines, Paulo Rodrigues and Tim Henery unavailable and Greg Birch travelling despite falling ill on the day. Jose Lima replaced Lino Cebey in goal and new signing Nico Papadopoulous made his his first appearance for United.

Cambridge started the game well though in what proved to be a cagey first half with United finally making the breakthrough with a fine solo effort from Monty Bouttell to make it 1-0 to the Us.

Despite defending with great discipline, Cambridge were finally undone half way through the first half by the very strong Birmingham side.

The first half continued to ebb and flow and seemed to be heading for stalemate at half time when some unusually lapse United defending after a time out allowed Birmingham to take the lead through a well worked set piece just before half time.

United seemed to go into the break disheartened but Head Coach Luis Mendonca had them firing again for the second half.

Within a minute of the restart, Cambridge were level again when a sublime passage of interplay found Monty Bouttell who finished calmly from close range to make it 2-2.

Cambridge maintained their attacking intent and were soon rewarded when Us youngster Monty Bouttell finished from close range again for his hat trick to make it 3-2 to the Us.

United were flying now and even an experienced Birmingham side were struggling to contain them.

Next it was the turn of Cambridge star Angel Martinez who weighed in with 2 goals of his own, both near identical delicate chip finishes over the onrushing Birmingham keeper, to make it 5-2 to United.

Cambridge kept on making clear cut chances but were unable to take advantage to put the game to bed.

Instead Birmingham regrouped and went ‘fly’ and the extra outfield player advantage soon told as they pulled one back to make it 5-3 with 5 minutes remaining. Soon after, a rather rash United challenge in the area was punished by a penalty which Birmingham dispatched coolly to further reduce the arrears to 5-4. Birmingham were throwing everything at United now but Cambridge stood strong until they conceded a fine equaliser with 2 minutes remaining.

United saw out the remainder of the game despite both teams having chances to secure victory and the game ended honours even at 5 – 5 which in reflection was probably a fair result.

United maintain their unbeaten run, now 7 games, whilst Birmingham’s title challenge appears to be over.

This deserved result keeps an ever improving and maturing Cambridge United side in 5th place in the FA Futsal National Super League.

Cambridge United FC Futsal next face York City Futsal at the University of Cambridge Sports Centre on Sunday 4th February 2018 in
a 11:30am kick off. The two sides last met two seasons ago in the Play-Off Finals which Cambridge very narrowly won to secure promotion to the Super League, so it is sure to be a close fought encounter but Luis Mendonca will be aiming for the win to maintain United’s top 4 challenge and aspirations.

Location

Wolverhampton University Walsall Campus