Birmingham Tigers 6-3 Newham Genesis
The FA UMBRO Futsal Cup
The English Institute Of Sport, Sheffield.
For a team tasting their first experience of life at The FA Futsal Cup Finals, the Newham Genesis certainly left an impression, despite losing out to Birmingham Tigers in the Men’s Plate.
With the skill and flair of both Ferrad Sofiane and Charles Konadu, Genesis can consider themselves somewhat unfortunate to be on the end of a 6-3 scoreline, after hitting the woodwork on no fewer than six occasions.
The Tigers were particularly clinical though and they now take their place in the Semi-Final of the Plate.
Formed as a secondary competition for the teams who finished in third and fourth place in their groups, the Plate keeps interest alive for all in the competition and the determination on show from all teams was testament to that.
Tigers made an early breakthrough, hitting Genesis on the break after the goalkeeper made a fine save to deny Konadu.
After five minutes, it was 2-0 when Tigers took advantage of Genesis having a man down injured to double their advantage.
This prompted the east Londoners into life though and they struck the woodwork no fewer than three times before Konadu reduced the arrears with a fine individual goal to leave the score at 2-1 at the break.
Straight after the break, Tigers restored their two goal advantage only for Genesis to bounce straight back to make it 3-2 with ten minutes remaining.
Sofiane then saw a long range shot come bouncing back off the post, before Konadu saw a powerful left footer crash against the bar as Genesis chased an equaliser.
Tigers kept hold of their advantage though, when a long ball forward was fumbled by the Genesis goalkeeper to make it 4-2, only for Jason Fox to score straight from the kick-off.
With time running out though, the Tigers took advantage twice more on the break to leave the final score at 6-3.
Tigers will now face the Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA in the Semi-Final, whilst the other game will see Manchester Futsal Club take on Hull.