Middlesbrough 7 Loughborough 3

Middlesbrough saw off the challenge from Loughborough University with a 7-3 victory to seal the FA Futsal League North title.  Captain Ryon Leyshon led the team to victory with two goals, but it was an exceptional team performance that kept Loughborough at bay and in the end it was a comfortable win against the FA Futsal Cup finalists.

As predicted it was a tight opening to the game, with both sides knowing that conceding a goal could prove disastrous to their game plan.  Middlesbrough started with Wootton, Leyshon, Kilbride, Hamblin and Rui Fernandes in goal, a quick counter-attacking team allowing Boro to take advantage of Loughborough's need to attack.

Both teams were happy in possession, but there were no major breakthroughs in the opening exchanges.  Loughborough tried to open up Boro's defence chasing the goal they needed to get ahead but were forced into taking long range shots.

It was in the 6th minute when Loughborough lost possession in attack allowing Jason Kilbride to break down the right.  He fired a ball back across goal for Ryon Leyshon who was in acres of space to open the scoring.  Boro had the advantage in the game and Loughborough needed to score twice.

Boro didn't need to risk anything going forward, and could soak up Loughborough pressure.  Loughborough still sat back and defended, not wanting to lose any more goals and Boro enjoyed spells of possession.  Loughborough had reached five fouls with a few minutes remaining and any fouls would have resulted in Boro having a chance to further increase their lead from 10m.

One Loughborough attack down the right with only a couple of minutes remaining in the first half resulted in the equaliser.  The ball appeared to go out, but the referee played on and Boro were guilty of not playing to the whistle.  A quick one two resulted in Adam Jones slotting home.

The score was level at half-time and Loughborough could be on the ascendency having scored just before the break, but some dogged pressure by Nick Hamblin on Tom Curtis saw him come out with the ball and an instinctive pass to Jason Kilbride left him with a clear shot on goal.  The goalkeeper almost got to it, but it trickled in and Boro had regained the lead.

Time was running out for Loughborough but they couldn't break down the Boro defence which had been at its best all day.  At 2-1 Rui Fernandes made a couple of world class saves to keep Boro ahead and a breakaway with the league's leading scorer Mat Payne gave Boro the cushion they wanted.  Payne dribbled through the middle before unleashing a right footed strike across the goalkeeper and Wootton was on hand to pounce on the save made with a lunge at the back post.

Minutes later, Wootton completed his brace from the six metre penalty spot as a Loughborough defender was guilty of pushing in the area and at 4-1, Loughborough had to act fast if they were to get back into the game.  And they did just that, replacing the goalkeeper with Tom Curtis to play with five outfield players.

Boro needed to sit deep and defend as Loughborough piled on the pressure switching play from side to side waiting for the opening.  Any loose ball, block or interception presented Middlesbrough with an opportunity to wrap up the game and the introduction of Mikey Roberts, scorer of four in the reverse fixture from a very similar situation sealed the victory for Middlesbrough.  Roberts with two and Leyshon scored his second to open up an unassailable six goal lead.

Another top drawer save from Fernandes, before he conceded a penalty were his last actions as youngster Jamie Russell entered the action.  

Loughborough scored the resulting penalty and another sloppy goal after the game was wrapped up allowed them to have another consolation goal.  It wasn't to detract from an outstanding performance from Middlesbrough to seal the FA Futsal League title by five points.

Boro squad:  Russell, Herbert, Armes, Prosser, Payne, Hamblin, Kilbride, Roberts, Leyson (c), Wootton, Rashid, Fernandes.

Goals: Leyshon 2, Wootton 2, Roberts 2, Kilbride.

Yellow cards: Hamblin, Armes.