On Sunday 2 June, Bootham Girls U12/13 were invited to enter the JFS Girls Futsal Cup in Hull. The games were played over 10 minutes with 2 leagues and then play-offs and a final. Bootham took a mixture of U10s to U13s with everyone getting equal playing time. Bootham were represented by:

Jessica H (Captain), Scarlet W, Bonnie-Shai C, Imogen B, Mollie C, Maisie M, Scarlett L, Lily N, Raya S, Ella H and Emily C.

Game 3 – Bootham Vs Cottingham

Bootham started on the front foot and an early goal from Imogen got them in front. The game was very even and either side could have scored the next goal. Cottingham, playing their first ever futsal game, came back strong at the end at won the game with 2 well taken goals. Final score 1-2.

Game 5 – Bootham Vs Eagle Team Hull Green

In their second game Bootham played the hosts for the tournament. Eagles raced into a 2-goal lead with 2 very well taken goals, but Bootham never gave in and slowly worked their way back into the match. First Imogen scored after a good save by the Eagles goalkeeper and with time running out captain Jess fired in a kick-in that took the slightest deflection to make the final score 2-2.

Game 8 – Bootham Vs Malet Lambert

In the first of the play-off games Bootham took on Malet. Bootham took control of the game early and score one of the best futsal goals of the day. Mollie took the ball from goalkeeper Scarlett, beat a couple of players before feeding Ella wide. Her first time cross was at the second post by the other Scarlett. Malet came back and Bootham keeper Scarlett made a couple of fantastic saves. With the last kick of the game Imogen smashed home a free kick to make the final score 2-0.

Game 10 – Bootham Vs Eagle Team Hull Green

The semi-final was a rerun of the game against the hosts. In a much tighter game, both sides had early chances, but the goalkeepers were on top form. Bootham scored first when a long range shot from Maisie took a deflection off the Hull player and looped into the oppositions goal. Hull went searching for an equaliser but found Scarlett in goal on top form as Bootham held out for the win 1-0.

Game 11 – The Final – Bootham Vs Cottingham

The final was a rerun of Bootham’s first game of the day. Both sides went looking for early goals, but the goalkeepers were again on top form and kept the score 0-0. With time running out and penalties looking like the outcome a long-range free kick from Jess was back-heeled into the Cottingham goal by Scarlett. What a way to win a cup final, amazing goal from a top young lady!

Player of the Tournament for Bootham was Scarlet W – she made fantastic save after fantastic save and really kept Bootham in the games, especially in the early ones.

Coach Chris said after the event,‘Wow, I was not expecting that. I was so impressed by the way all the girls came back after the first game defeat to play some lovely futsal and go on and win the event. I was so please how all the players trusted each other, regardless of their age, it was brilliant to watch. Huge well done to Lily, Emily, Raya and Ella, who really did work so hard and showed no fear at all, especially as some of the oppositions were twice their size! Huge thank you to the guys in Hull for organising a fantastic event and letting us enter. If they will have us again, we would love to come back!’

Here are some images form a fantastic day: