On Sunday, June 22nd, Bootham Futsal Club U14s faced Merseyside Schoolgirls at home in the semi-finals of this season’s U14 National Futsal Youth Plate. The match was played over two intense 20-minute halves in the heat of the York St Johns University Sports Barn.

Bootham’s squad featured a talented lineup, including Kaja P, Maisie M, Jess H (Captain), Scarlett W (GK), Bonnie-Shai C, Imogen B, Freya L, and Mollie C. The team was eager to showcase their skills and make it to the final of the competition.

1st Half

Half Time – Bootham Futsal 1 – 3 Merseyside School Girls

2nd Half

Full Time – Bootham Futsal 3 – 6 Merseyside School Girls

Congratulations to Merseyside School Girls and the very best of luck in the final in 2 weeks time!

Player of the Match as chosen by Coach Tyler was Scarlett W – and it was thoroughly deserved! She pulled off some remarkable saves throughout the game and was incredibly unlucky with a few of the goals she conceded, with rebounds and post deflections falling perfectly for the opposition. Scarlett showed real talent between the posts and proved what a strong, composed goalkeeper she is. We’d be thrilled to have her join the club permanently. Top job, Scarlett!

After the game Coach Tyler said, ‘That was a really good game to watch, and I’m genuinely proud of the way the girls played. There were moments where we could have done better, like pressing the opposition more consistently and tracking our runners more tightly, but overall we gave them problems and made their goalkeeper work hard with some quality chances.

I think it’s important to be realistic. We are a grassroots team playing against academy-level players. That is a big difference in terms of experience and training, but the girls held their own and showed real character on the pitch.

This is a strong group, and I truly hope they recognise their potential and carry this momentum into the Under 16s next season. They still need to keep working hard, stay grounded, and continue listening to their coaches. It is easy at this age for players to feel like they have it all figured out, but there is always more to learn. All in all, it was a good day, and I am a happy coach.‘