FA National Futsal Super League

Sunday 20th May 2018 (12pm KO)

Loughborough University

FT: Loughborough 0 – 3 Cambridge United FC Futsal (HT: 0 – 1)

Goals – Angel Martinez, OG/Monty Bouttell, Alberto Morcillo

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

Head Coach – Luis Mendonca

Attendance – 50

Cambridge United FC Futsal claim 3rd place in the FA Futsal National Super League with fine win at Loughborough.

Sunday saw Cambridge United FC Futsal make the short trip north to face Loughborough in their final match of the 2017/2018 FA National Futsal League season at Loughborough University.

United were missing their ‘enforcer’ Vitalii Burnus but Paulo Rodrigues returned to the match day squad.

Having been well beaten by League leaders Reading Escolla the previous weekend, United were determined to get back to winning ways in their quest for 3rd place.

Despite the loss, rivals Birmingham had also missed out by losing at Loughborough on the same day and next faced Reading Escolla themselves so the Us knew a win would be enough to secure 3rd if Birmingham lost.

Loughborough always produce good, strong, energetic, young sides and counted several England internationals in their ranks. The game was also played in front of the on-looking England manager Michael Skubala which said much about the quality of young, English talent being developed by both clubs on display.

Cambridge United Head Coach Luis Mendonca had impressed upon his side that only a win would suffice after a fantastic season that had already surpassed expectations.

The Us were given extra motivation before the game when long serving and inspirational captain, Alberto Morcillo announced it was to be his last game for United.

Cambridge started well, controlling possession and defending with intensity and discipline when they had to. Loughborough were struggling to contain Cambridge. However, despite United’s first half dominance, unusually they couldn’t find the finishing touches that their play deserved.

With 5 minutes remaining of the first half, Cambridge finally got their just rewards when Angel Martinez made no mistake from the penalty spot after Loughborough’s 6th foul of the half.

It was to stay 1-0 at half time despite several further good chances especially when Monty Bouttell could only find the post when it seemed easier to score.

Cambridge picked up in the second half where they had left off the first, putting in a dominant display in front of their noisy travelling support.

Again, after several good chances went begging a quick Us break saw a Monty Bouttell cross deflected into the goal by a desperate retreating Loughborough defender to make it 2-0 to United.

Then midway through the second half, departing Captain Morcillo scored the goal of the game when he turned his marker on the half way line with a delightful piece of skill, burst clear before slotting calmly past the onrushing Loughborough keeper.

Despite Loughborough going fly for the last 5 minutes, Cambridge stood strong, limiting Loughborough’s chances and with Us stopper Jose Lima unbeatable on the day when called into action.

A convincing and well deserved 3-0 win for Cambridge United and a fitting send off for captain Alberto Morcillo.

Cambridge had now done all that they could and everything Coach Luis Mendonca had asked of them in one of their best all round performances of the season.

With Birmingham kicking off later against Reading Escolla, the Us players had to settle for the live stream of the game on the minibus journey back home to Cambridge. Much to the delight of the players, Reading beat Birmingham meaning Cambridge’s win had secured 3rd place in their first FA National Futsal Super League season. An incredible achievement especially with many futsal pundits and experts tipping United as favourites for relegation at the start of the season. Coach Luis Mendonca had also achieved this feat with largely the same squad of players that had finished 4th in Super League North the season before behind the more established Loughborough, Manchester and Birmingham.

The Us are now looking to strengthen and improve over the close season with the first trials for potential new players on Tuesday 5th June 2018.

Location

Loughborough University