Bristol City Futsal Club vs. Cardiff University Futsal
07/09/2014
Bristol City Futsal Club’s second preseason game of the season ended in defeat against a very well organised Cardiff University Futsal team. Bristol City captained by Gary Bell, were looking to make amends after last week’s defeat 6-3 to Cardiff Met.
Straight from kick off, Bristol City looked the more likely to score with the first chance of the game coming after good work down the left hand-side of the court. Cardiff regained composure and after a deflected pass the ball fell kindly to a Cardiff player who cannoned the ball of the upright from near the half way line. After brief spells of possession from both sides, Bristol City took the lead after a neat exchange of passes set Jon Tyrrell to score with a back post finish. Bristol City’s dominance continued with three shots all in quick succession raining in on the Cardiff goal. Cardiff University immediately responded with a viscous shot from their number 8 which was matched by a strong save by the City goalkeeper. End to end futsal soon followed with Bristol City hitting the woodwork, but it was Cardiff that seized the initiative in the 12th minute with their first goal of the game. This after great skill on the right hand side leaving the Bristol City goalkeeper stranded.
In the aftermath of the goal, Bristol City immediately reacted with their own spell of sustained pressure with shots being fired in from all angles. For the remainder of the first half, City looked very dangerous on the attack but a fine performance from the Cardiff goalkeeper ensured that as we entered half time the side’s level at 1-1.
Cardiff looked rejuvenated after the break, but it was Bristol City that scored the first goal of the second half after a costly mistake from the Cardiff defence allowed Sergio Galan to go 1 on 1 with the Cardiff goalkeeper and he made no mistake scoring with great composure converting the ball into the corner to make the score 2-1 to Bristol City. After the goal however, it was Cardiff that looked more likely to equalise. Individual errors should have cost the home side the lead had it not been for the well organised defence of Bristol City. Cardiff soon equalised, after a slice of misfortune saw Bristol City defender Sion Kitson divert the ball into his own goal as he was rushing back to make the block making the score 2-2. Cardiff wasted no time in taking the lead after Bristol lost possession from the kick off attacking down the left and firing a fierce shot across the keeper into the inside of the side made the score 3-2 to the visiting side. Bristol City looked increasingly likely to score however it was again Cardiff who scored to extend their lead to 4-2. This after a kick in and switch of play saw the Cardiff attacker volley across goal for his team mate to neatly slots home. Bristol’s fine futsal continued with the home side confidently manoeuvring the ball from side to side and a neat exchange of passes enticed the Cardiff defender. However a clever run and cheeky side footed finish saw Jordan Gutteridge score allowing Bristol City to get back in the game.
Bristol City were unable to build on their goal gifting Cardiff the chance to score straight from kick off with a powerful left foot strike leaving the goalkeeper with no chance allowing them to extend their advantage.
The game continued to be evenly matched with both teams having good spells of possession but with no end product. Entering into the last minute of the game, Bristol City were pushing hard for a consolation goal but an effective Cardiff counter attack saw them take advantage of a 3 v 1 situation. This left Bristol City’s goalkeeper stranded allowing the Cardiff player to slot into an empty net.
That happened to be the last action of the game, an exciting fixture with a good overall performance from the team but still highlights the area’s that need to be work on in time for the first league fixture away against Birmingham Futsal Club on the 21st of September.
Final score: Bristol City Futsal Club 3-6 Cardiff University Futsal Club
Cardiff Met Futsal Club vs Bristol City Futsal Club:
Huge anticipation followed the newly formed Bristol City Futsal Club entering into their first preseason game of the futsal calendar year. Despite this, City found themselves narrowly losing out to Cardiff Met in a tight and entertaining affair at the Cardiff’s ‘House of Sport’.
Bristol City made the perfect start inside 3 minutes with Ian Parkes registering the first goal of the game neatly firing past the Cardiff goalkeeper into the far corner of the goal from a tight angle after great defensive teamwork ensured City regained possession. Soon after it was 2-0 with Jordan Gutteridge scoring a sublime direct free kick that went through the wall leaving the goalkeeper stranded and ensuring that Bristol had a healthy advantage.
The game turned on its head as Cardiff pulled one back just before half time with Jonny Nelson rounding the on rushing goalkeeper before sliding into an empty net, giving them the psychological advantage heading into the interval. Similar to the first half, City again started the brighter with Parkes again scoring soon after the break.
City’s dominance abruptly ended with Tyler Mills scoring for Cardiff from a corner kick to make the score 3-2. Matt Croft equalised not long after a great counter saw him with a tap in at the back post. This gave Cardiff the boost they needed to get the fourth with Tom Milton coolly toe poking the ball into the top corner of the net after a misplaced pass was cruelly punished.
Jordan Gutteridge scored his second goal of the game making the score 4-4, this ensured there would be a fantastic end to the match.
However, poor defensive shape from Bristol City allowed Aitor Sanchez to smash into the roof of the net. With a minute to go Bristol called a time out and decided to play with 5 players out field but two individual errors ensured Cardiff stole possession and scored both goals firing into an empty net clinching the victory 7-4.