FA National Futsal Super League

Sunday 8th April 2018 (2:30pm KO)

University of Cambridge Sports Centre

FT: Cambridge United FC Futsal 7 – 2 Oxford City Lions (HT: 4 – 0)

Goals – Angel Martinez (3), Monty Bouttell (2), Paulo Rodrigues, Vitalii Burnus

Squad – Jose Lima (GK), Chay Jakes (GK), Angel Martinez, Toby Hardwick ©, Monty Bouttell, Vitalii Burnus, Paulo Rodrigues, George Harlow, Jonathan Tofts, Greg Birch, Enrico Barnes, Pedro Pereira

Head Coach – Luis Mendonca

Mascots – Nathan and Paul (Cambridge Amputee Football Squad), Oakington Vikings, Huntingdon Rowdies and Marvin the Moose.

Special Guests – Cambridge Amputee Football, STEEL BONES, James Palmer (Mayor of Cambridgeshire) and Barry Corr.

Attendance – 200

MOTM – Jose Lima

A comprehensive varsity victory sees Cambridge United FC Futsal move up to 3rd in the FA Futsal National Super League

Cambridge United FC Futsal welcomed Oxford City Lions to the University of Cambridge Sports Centre on Sunday in the FA Futsal National Super League in futsal’s very own varsity match.

The game predictably drew the biggest crowd of the season for the Us final home game of the 2017/18 campaign with Cambridgeshire Mayor James Palmer, Barry Corr and Marvin the Moose all in attendance together with members of the Cambridge Amputee Football Squad and the STEEL BONES charity in advance of their Snowdon Challenge.

Cambridge United FC Futsal went into the game in 4th place in the FA Futsal National Super League after their excellent win in Manchester before Easter but Us Head Coach Luis Mendonca knew that his side would face a stern test against a traditionally strong Oxford side.

With several senior players missing it was a distinctly youthful looking Us match day squad comprising 6 U19s and with 17-year old George Harlow making his debut in the starting 5.

A confident Cambridge United started far the better of the two but were unable to take their early chances until Angel Martinez made it 1-0 with a delightful chip before a fine solo effort from Paulo Rodrigues doubled United’s advantage midway through the first half.

A dominant Cambridge display was further rewarded when Angel Martinez made it 3-0 from the penalty spot before grabbing a first half hat trick to make it 4-0 from a well worked set piece.

Things could have been even worse for Oxford but their keeper escaped a red card despite a reckless challenge on United’s Toby Hardwick on the halfway line when clean through on goal. As a result of the challenge, Hardwick was unable to continue and later required stitches for the face wound sustained.

United started the 2nd half as they had finished the 1st and were 5-0 up within 20 seconds of the restart when Monty Bouttell got his first of the game after some good team interplay with Jonathan Tofts again playing a part. Vitalii Burnus then got in on the act to make it 6-0 with a tremendous far post finish from a lofted corner.

United keeper Jose Lima was also having a fantastic game in goal when called into action, repelling every Oxford effort and making one incredible reaction save midway through the 2nd half.

Monty Bouttell made it 7-0 with his 2nd of the game, intercepting possession on the half way line before deftly chipping the onrushing Oxford keeper.

Oxford did claim two very late consolation goals, with Cambridge fielding four U18s, but United saw the game out comfortably to record a comprehensive 7-2 victory much to the delight of the packed Cambridge University Sports Centre crowd.

Coach Luis Mendonca was delighted afterwards with the comprehensive and deserved win from his ever-improving young United side and another excellent team performance.

It was also to prove to be an important win as Cambridge United FC Futsal moved into 3rd place in the FA Futsal National Super League above rivals Birmingham, who lost to Reading Escolla, each now with 4 games remaining.

After a short break, the Us will hit the road as their 4 remaining matches in April and May see them travel to Oxford for the return fixture, York, title contenders Reading and Loughborough.

Location

Cambridge University Sports Centre