What A Start To The Season For Bootham Ladies!
On Saturday 1 October, Bootham Ladies’ Futsal Club – York played their first game of the new FA Futsal Women’s Super Series North Tier 2 against Leicester Women’s Futsal at St Peters School. It was the first time the ladies had ever played at home, so after a good preseason confidence in the squad was high.
Coach Chris had virtually a full squad to pick from with only captain Ellie Whittaker, Sophie Wood and Rebecca Huggins missing. Suzy Collins took the captains’ armband for the first time, and there were also debuts for Scarlett Brown and Elena Rago.
Starting Line-Up: Suzy Collins (c), Katie Samson, Kimberly Samson, Denva Coupland, Rowan Treagus
Substitutes: Lily Crossan, Scarlett Brown, Elena Rago, Charli Goodfellow, Eleanor Walker, Lucy Hudson
Click here to see pictures from the game
Bootham stormed out of the blocks and score two quick goals through Rowan Treagus, but Leicester pulled one almost immediately. Over the next five minutes Bootham took the game by the scruff of the neck and extended their lead to 4-1 with Rowan Treagus completing her hat-trick and Kimberly Samson scoring a well worked goal, her first for the club. The hard running Lily Crossan covered virtually every part of the court, and several times could have scored.
As the game settle, Bootham happy to keep possession and be patient with their attacks. All the substitutes got game time in the first half, with Ellie Rago and Scarlett Brown looking comfortable in the side. Eleanor Walker was a constant thorn to Leicester with her late runs to the second post. Just before the end of the the half Rowan Treagus added 2 more goal to lead Bootham into the break.
Half Time – Bootham Ladies’ Futsal Club – 6 Leicester Women’s Futsal – 1
The second half started much like the first with Bootham on top and controlling both pace and tempo of the game. An early deflected strike from Rowan Treagus extended the lead before Leicester grabbed one back. In the space of a minute Lucy Hudson hit the post, then the bar and post but it just wouldn’t go in. Katie Samson was looking assured in goal and her confidence in bring the ball out caused Leicester problems throughout the game.
Click here to see the Bootham goals from the game
A further 3 goals from Rowan Treagus extended Bootham’s lead, with the last one being the goal of the game. A move involving all 5 on court players, finished with a sublime first time set back from Eleanor Walker, leaving a tap in for Rowan Treagus. Leicester grabbed another consolation goal before Denva Coupland scored her second, from another good passing move, and in the dying minutes a corner from captain Suzy Collins was deflected twice before ending up in the Leicester goal.
Full Time – Bootham Ladies’ Futsal Club – 12 Leicester Women’s Futsal – 3
Player Of The Match – Charli Goodfellow – Her display of hard tackling and composure on the ball was a highlight of the game. She was solid as last player, and should have grabbed herself a goal late on. A huge step forward from last season.
1st Half Stats
Shots For 26
Shots Against 17
1 : 0 – Goal:Rowan Treagus – Assist: Denva Coupland
2 : 0 – Goal: Rowan Treagus – Assist: Suzy Collins
2 : 1 – Goal: Leicester
3 : 1 – Goal: Rowan Treagus – Assist: Denva Coupland
4 : 1 – Goal: Kimberly Samson – Assist: Denva Coupland
5 : 1 – Goal: Rowan Treagus – Assist: Scarlett Brown
6 : 1 – Goal: Denva Coupland – Assist: Scarlett Brown
2nd Half Stats
Shots For 36
Shots Against 19
7 : 1 – Own Goal – Assist: Rowan Treagus
7 : 2 – Goal: Leicester
8 : 2 – Goal: Rowan Treagus – Assist: Suzy Collins
9 : 2 – Goal: Rowan Treagus – Direct Freekick
10 : 2 – Goal: Rowan Treagus – Assist: Eleanor Walker
10 : 3 – Goal: Leicester
11 : 3 – Goal: Denva Coupland – Assist: Rowan Treagus
12 : 3 – Own Goal – Assist: Suzy Collins
In conversation after the game Coach Chris Collins said, ‘I am delighted at the way the ladies played, they showed everything we have worked on in preseason. I was really pleased with our passing and movement, and being patient with the ball until the right moment arrived. I think the score line faltered us a bit as Leicester’s high press caused us a few problems, and they were missing some key players.’
He went on to say, ‘After the start last year and the steep learning curve we had during the season, I am delighted with this result. It was brilliant to play in front of our home fans for the first time and that so many turned up to watch us. We have to put on performances like this to grow futsal in York, and hopefully next time a few more may be curious to come and watch.’
He finished by talking about the debutants, ‘I was so pleased with the performance of both Ellie Rago and Scarlett Brown. Ellie was only 16 a week ago and she was so nervous before the game. That said, she settled well and I think she will be disappointed she didn’t score. Scarlett has only played a few games of futsal, so is still learning the game, but she has such good feet and at times caused Leicester really problems. Both are only going to get better as the season goes on, and they add to an ever improving squad.’
