Middlesbrough tasted their first competitive defeat since The FA Futsal Cup in July, slipping to a 5-4 defeat against Hull. Ironically, Boro’s only defeat in last year’s FPL (Futsal Premier League: Unofficial national league) was against Hull and history repeated itself in Sheffield at the weekend.
Hull were bottom of The FA Futsal League North before the match, while Boro were sitting top of the pile after two games. Hull had tasted defeat to two early favourites, Manchester and Tranmere Victoria so weren’t to be underestimated either as they tried to kick start their season at home to another title contender.
The Humbersiders started the game strongly and had Boro pegged back deep in their own half, creating a few half chances, only to be denied by the large presence of Curtis Holmes in the Boro goal. Boro soaked up the pressure well and were looking to hit Hull on the counter attack.
An early chance went begging as Mortlock hit the inside of the post from one early break. Possession was limited for Middlesbrough but nevertheless they were first on the score sheet when a quick counter attack ended with Mortlock scoring his sixth goal of the season to put Boro 1-0 up. Hull kept on pressing and they equalised before taking a half-time lead.
With the pressure on the Teessiders to press, they did just that and within 30 seconds of the second half had won a free kick from a foul on Leyshon as he broke down the right. David Herbert stepped up over the dead ball and played an inch perfect ball to the back post where Amos had arrived unmarked to turn the ball in for his third goal in as many matches.
Middlesbrough enjoyed more of the ball in the second half but couldn’t find the goal to restore their lead and it was Hull who broke on the counter attack to go 3-2 up. The introduction of 19-year-old Libyan, Bedo, in the second half, saw Boro spark into life and within seconds he had set up Jason Kilbride to draw level once again.
Boro looked hopeful of securing a win to stay top of the league but Hull however had their own agenda and seemed to have the game wrapped up when they scored a quick double to give Boro a tough task.
A lifeline came when England international Ashley Allanson committed a slide tackle in the box which allowed David Herbert to step up and slot home the penalty and set up a frantic couple of minutes.
Pressing, Boro let Hull have a couple of glaring chances, but were lucky enough to survive. That luck didn’t transfer to the other end as Kilbride fired in a low shot, which was cleared off the line, before Mortlock created one final chance. Leyshon only needed to touch the ball to turn it into the goal from less than a metre out, but the tantalising pass evaded him and Boro’s hopes of a point were dashed.
The defeat leaves Boro in second place behind Sheffield FC, who beat Grimsby 11-2. Tranmere Victoria go to Manchester this weekend to play their game in hand and can move above Boro with a win.
Middlesbrough: Holmes, Herbert, Mortlock, Amos, Prosser, Dalghusa, Hamblin, Leyshon, Saifah, Kilbride, Al-Harthi.
For more information on Boro Futsal check out the club’s website www.BoroFutsal.co.uk