On Saturday 27 September, Bootham Ladies hosted Manchester Women’s Futsal Club at York St John University Sports Barn in their second home game of the National Futsal Series Stage 1 Group A qualifiers. Fresh from a brilliant away win at Project Futsal Liverpool, and with Manchester still reeling from a 17–0 hammering by Bolton, this looked the perfect chance to finally break the Manchester curse. Four defeats in the last four league meetings had haunted Bootham… but was this the day the story changed?

Back from injury came Heather Smith and Natasha Eustance, while Nikki Brown returned after time away from the squad: Katie Samson (GK), Kim Samson, Suzy Collins, Nikki Brown, Jess Barnes, Jess Baker, Charlotte Broad, Heather Smith, Ellie Whittaker (C), and Natasha Eustance.

1st Half

Bootham knew a fast start was needed to put the small Manchester squad under pressure, and they got the perfect opening when a long-range shot from Smith beat the Manchester keeper. Baker should have added a second soon after, but minutes later she did score from a well-worked kick-in routine. Captain Whittaker grabbed her first of the season when she poked home from close range after good work by Broad.

Manchester pulled one back with a well-taken finish, but late on Smith netted her second after a great ball from Barnes. Late chances for Smith, Samson and Baker came and went, but Bootham still went into the break looking comfortable after a brilliant first half.

Half Time – Bootham 4 – 1 Manchester

2nd Half

With Bootham not needing to chase the game, the second half unfolded at a much slower pace. Manchester tried to bully Bootham, but the Bootham players held their shape and moved the ball confidently around the court. Smith, looking for her first Bootham hat trick, fired an early effort just over. Samson made two fine saves in the Bootham goal before Brown went close.

Eustance capitalised on a Manchester mistake and slammed home from outside the D. Manchester responded with two quick goals, but player of the match Smith finally completed her well-deserved hat trick, scoring at the far post from a Brown cross.

Manchester grabbed two late goals to make the last 60 seconds tense, but Bootham held on for their first league win over Manchester.

Full Time – Bootham 6 – 5 Manchester

A huge thank you to our Match Day Mascot, Ivy! This is the second time she’s represented the ladies, and she always brings a huge smile, the players love having her around. She also seems to be our good luck charm, with the ladies winning both times she’s been mascot. Thank you, Ivy!

In conversation after the game, Coach Chris reflected on a dramatic finish, ‘Well, that got a bit tight at the end! I wonder what would have happened if there had been another minute to go. Manchester were definitely on top. Huge credit to them today. We know what it is like to go to an away game with a very small squad. They could have pinched it at the end, so full credit to them.’

Talking about Bootham’s performance, he added, ‘The first half was as good as anything we have played in a long time. We really controlled the tempo and possession of the game. We took our chances when they came and at half time looked very comfortable. We knew Manchester would come at us in the second half and in the last 10 minutes we could not quite match their pace or change the tempo of our game. That said, we had done most of the damage in the first half.’

Looking ahead, Chris said, ‘Next week we are on the road again away to Birmingham, one of the top sides in the country. That will be a real test of where we are as a team at the moment. The league is very tight for that third place, so anything we get next week will be a real bonus for us. A huge thank you to everyone who came out and watched today. Your support really does mean the world to the ladies.

Match Highlights:

Player of the Match — chosen by Coach Chris and Captain Ellie, was Heather Smith. Heather scored her first hat-trick for Bootham and was at her brilliant best today, truly looking every bit the England U19 player she is. A fantastic effort and thoroughly deserved, well done, Heather!

A few images from the game: