Match day 8 saw Bootham Ladies’ Futsal Club – York travel to Warrington to face the host team in the last game of the season. Bootham welcomed back Lily and Rowan as Coach Chris had nearly a full strength squad to choose from.

First Half – Warrington took an early lead as Bootham again started slowly. A good pass from Ellie released Rowan for a well taken equaliser, before Warrington retook the lead with two well taken goals. Bootham were playing well but just not able to finish their attacking play. On 10 minutes a slick passing move between Rowan and Denva saw the latter finish smartly 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper. Bootham were settling now and Rowan hit the post twice before Katie made a smart save to keep Warrington out. Suzy, in her best game of the season was looking assured, and Eleanor, Hannah and Lily’s energy and pace were causing Warrington problems. As half time approached Ellie intercepted the ball on halfway, drove forward and easily beat the keeper with a smart finish. From a Warrington corner, and with them flying their goalkeeper, Rowan tackled the goalkeeper inside her own half before beating 2 players and scoring from just over halfway. With the last kick of the half, Kimberly intercepted the ball just outside her D, and with the Warrington goalkeeper nowhere, rolled the ball towards an empty net, only for a fantastic last gasp goalie clearance from a Warrington player. Halftime, Bootham 5 Warrington 4.

The second half started with both sides testing each other out. Lucy and Kimberly were looking solid and not giving Warrington any chances. Rowan intercepted a clearance and ran through but was denied by the goalkeeper. The next goal in the game was going to be important and it went to Bootham. Katie played short too Ellie, who broke a tackled a played a perfect through ball to Eleanor, who scored smartly across the Warrington goalkeeper for her first goal of the season. Rowan increased the lead, first with an intercept on halfway and smart finish and then pinching a poor back pass to the goalkeeper. Warrington came back with two goals before Rowan extended Bootham’s lead when she seized on a poor pass and smashed the ball in to the Warrington goal. A minute later Ellie got her second when she played a smart one two with Rowan before finishing at the second post. Rowan added her 6th when she controlled a long throw from keeper Katie and smashed it passed a static Warrington keeper. In the dying minutes, Katie made a flying save before Warrington grabbed the last goal of the game. Full time, Bootham 10 Warrington 6.

If you want to watch the full game, click on these links to watch the game on Youtube:

First Half

Second Half

A delighted coach Chris said afterward, ‘Wow, what a performance! After the the way the season has gone I am so delighted we finished on a real high. We thought in the first game against Warrington we deserved better, and today we got that result. The whole squad was outstanding, both in and out of possession. We had a game plan and they executed it perfectly. As the season has gone on the players’ confidence has grown and their futsal knowledge has grown with that.’

‘I am delighted for Eleanor to get her first goal, she really is improving each and every week. Rowan looked like she could score every time she got the ball and her partnership with Denva looked very dangerous. Lucy, who came into the squad late, looked calm and composed and Suzy had her best game to date. Katie made some smart saves, Lily and Hannah’s pace worried Warrington, Kim really has become a quality futsal player. Captain Ellie lead from the front and this is exactly why I was desperate to get her back playing!’

His final word was on the future, ‘We finished the game with three 16 year olds, a 17 year old and a 19 year old on court. We have by far the youngest squad in the league, and one that shows the club is in very safe hands going froward. Thank you to each and every player who has supported us this season. We honestly can’t wait for the next one!’