On Saturday, 1 November, Bootham Ladies kicked off their Tier 2 National Futsal campaign with a home fixture against familiar rivals Manchester. With home games few and far between this season, Bootham were eager to make the most of their home advantage.

With Jess Baker and Charlotte Broad unavailable, Bootham handed a league debut to talented teenager Erin Elliott, while welcoming back Jess Barnes and Kim Samson into the match day squad.

Squad: Nikki Brown, Jess Barnes, Kim Samson, Suzy Collins, Allegra Sellschop-Evans (GK), Heather Smith, Erin Elliott, Ellie Whittaker (C), Ruby Shaw, and Natasha Eustance.

1st Half

In a tense opening exchange, both sides struggled to impose themselves on the game, with chances few and far between. Sellschop-Evans in the Bootham goal was the first to be tested, producing a couple of fine saves to keep the scores level. Bootham eventually took the lead after a well-worked move involving Barnes and Smith was neatly finished by Barnes. Brown then went close, poking the ball just wide of the near post.

Further opportunities fell to Shaw and Elliott, but neither could convert, and Bootham were made to pay late on when Manchester snatched an equaliser against the run of play.

Half Time – Bootham 1 – 1 Manchester

2nd Half

Bootham started the second half on the front foot and were ahead within a minute. A great move involving Shaw and Barnes ended with Eustance tapping home at the back post. They nearly doubled their lead soon after when Shaw’s rasping drive was well saved by the Manchester keeper. Bootham were in total control, but Elliott missed a golden chance from close range.

Manchester equalised against the run of play with a well worked goal, and within five minutes the visitors had turned the game around with a swift counterattack. Bootham drew level again after fine work from Smith allowed Brown to place the ball home from distance. However, Manchester regained the lead from a kick in, and in the final five minutes, as Bootham pushed for another equaliser, the visitors added two more to seal the win.

Full Time – Bootham 3 – 7 Manchester

Still no video this week, but the VEO is due back sometime next week — and then it’ll be business as usual! We can’t wait to get back to sharing all the match action with you. 

After the game a disappointed Coach Chris said, “That was our worst performance in a while, we just couldn’t get going. Our usual high-press, high-tempo game just wasn’t there today, and worryingly, I’m not sure why. At times, we played some really nice futsal, moving the ball and the opposition around the court with quick, sharp passing, but then we sat off and let them play. It was very strange to watch. Once again, individual errors cost us, and we have to make sure we minimise these in games. Futsal is a cruel sport, and mistakes often get punished.

The next three games are on the road, and I expect to see a reaction from the whole squad. Can we get back to playing the way we know we can? We need to control the tempo, bring back the high press, and really start moving the ball around the court. I know the ladies will work hard in training, and I’m confident that next time out will be a different story.”

He finished by taking about another academy graduate Erin, he said, “We’ve been itching to get Erin on court for a while now, but her football commitments have always clashed. Today was definitely the day. She looked so composed and calm, and especially in the first half, she changed the game. She’ll know herself that she should have had at least two goals today, but I’m sure the goals will come.”

Player of the Match — chosen by match sponsors the Elliott Family and Coach Chris — was Erin Elliott – When Erin came on, she completely changed the game. Her drive, physicality, and high tempo really lifted the team, and on another day she could easily have scored a hat-trick. It’s always exciting to see a young player and wonder if they can step up to the next level, and Erin did exactly that. She looked as though she’d been part of the squad for years. A fantastic debut and a brilliant performance, now go and get that first goal, Erin! ⚽👏

Images from todays game: