Community Futsal Cup kicks off in style
Ten teams from the local Longhorn U16 league were involved in the first Carlisle United Football in the Community Futsal Cup competition during the Easter holidays – and we’re pleased to report that it was a fantastic success.
United’s Futsal partner, Carlisle Futsal Club, kicked things off with an exhibition game on the day and then it was into the group stages with some excellent skills on show.
The fixtures started at a high intensity with fitness levels being tested due to the pace and quality of the play – with the added excitement factor of shirt signed by the England Futsal team (donated by former-United stopper and England Futsal keeper coach Tony Elliott) up for grabs.
A few rounds of fierce competition left Northbank A to face Gillford Park and Northbank B to play Pirelli B in the semi-finals. Both games were very exciting encounters but it was left as an all-Northbank final as the A and B teams won 6-1 and 4-2 respectively.
With it now being down to bragging rights – Northbank gaffer Andy Rowlands had entered his strikers as the A Team and his defenders as the B team – it was over to the lads to slug it out on the field of play.
As anticipated it was a very close fought affair with some excellent technical ability on show, but it was the strikers (Northbank A) who won through as they edged their way to victory with a narrow 2-1 scoreline.
FITC coach James Tose said: “The Futsal tournament was a massive success and the standard of play was of the highest quality, with all participants expressing how much they all enjoyed the day.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the players and coaches for embracing the tournament and making it a great day. I’d like to thank Allan Tindall of Carlisle Futsal Club for all of his support. I’d also like to thank his players for putting on the exhibition game which gave the coaches and players involved an opportunity of seeing what Futsal looked like before they had a go themselves.
“I’d like to thank Paul Jennings from the Cumberland FA for supplying the goals, balls and his general support both before and during the tournament. I’d also like to thank our director Steven Pattison, who donated a fantastic trophy for the teams to compete for, and Jim Hunter and the Longhorn Youth League for funding the hire of the facility.
“Finally I’d like to thank Tony Elliott who donated the excellent England signed shirt and programme. Without all of their support the tournament would not have been the success it has been.”
Paul Jennings, from the Cumberland FA, added: “The Carlisle United Futsal Cup 2013 was a fantastic opportunity for U16 teams from the Longhorn Youth League to play the game of Futsal. This event showcased the benefits of the game, with players having to adapt their play to this technically challenging and fast format of football.”
The Football in the Community team would like to congratulate Northbank for winning the 2013 Futsal Cup and Ben Campbell for winning the Player of the Tournament prize.
Click HERE for the Carlisle Futsal Club FaceBook page.
