[T]he Under 13’s Spring Futsal League came to its conclusion on Friday 5th May and the title wasn’t decided until the very last game.
At the start of the match Workington Wanderers Whites held a 2 point cushion at the top of the table over Cleator Moor Celtic. So the stage was set with Celtic needing a win to claim the title, anything less and the title was Wanderers Whites. After the respect handshakes by both teams the match kicked off in front of a packed crowd at Lakes college.
Whites started off the quicker and with some very good passing moves they got an early goal. Celtic didn’t let this early goal affect their game and they came back into the match with a well worked goal of their own. They followed this up with another 2 counter attacking goals and went ahead 3-1. Whites could have started to drop their heads after these 3 goals but instead the players showed true togetherness and prevented Celtic capitalising on any more quick counter attacks.
This tactic worked well and created a goal just before half time for the Whites to go into the break 3-2 down. After the break Whites were the ones who came out on the front foot and despite losing their captain early on when he received a knock on the ankle they kept on creating the better chances and it was only a matter of time before they scored an equaliser, quickly followed by another to make it 4-3 to the Whites.
With Celtic needing the win to claim the title it was their turn to dig deep and after some good teamwork they managed to pull level once more with a superbly taken goal. This prompted the ever determined Whites captain to overcome the knock he received earlier and come back on to try and help his team over the line.
With time quickly running out Whites had a choice of either trying to shut up shop or going for another, the players bravely and wisely choose the latter when a well worked team effort ended with their 5th goal of the game to make the scoreline 5-4 in favour of the Whites. With Celtic now needing 2 goals Whites decided to play a bit more conservatively as they knew the final whistle was approaching fast. Celtic, as ever, were not done and they scored a very late equaliser to ensure Whites would have to work hard to the final whistle if they wanted the title, Whites didn’t have too long to wait as the Final whistle blew shortly after the restart.
The result of this match could have went either way and, in what was a very entertaining, back and forth, nail biting match for all the crowd who had came along to support both sets of players, 5-5 was the right result for the game as neither team deserved to lose. This result means that Workington Wanderers Whites finish as the U13 West Cumbria Futsal 2017 Spring League champions and a big congratulations goes out to each player who played a part in securing the title. Cleator Moor Celtic pushed them all the way and shouldn’t be disheartened with the runners up place as this was the closest league yet.
Along with the title Workington Wanderers Whites will now go on to represent the area at the FA National Youth Futsal Festival North West Regional Final in the Under 14 age group on the 27th May.
Earlier in the evening Workington Wanderers Reds came away with a final day victory beating Cockermouth Pumas 8-0 both these teams have shown great teamwork this season and they have always came away enjoying playing the game.
St Bee’s took on Cockermouth Panthers in the second game of the evening and with only 1 point separating these 2 teams this match would decide who finished in 3rd place. Cockermouth ran out 7-2 winners and so claimed 3rd place in the league.
In the Under 12 League Seaton United took on fellow club team Seaton JFC in what was a thrilling game with a close scoreline to match with United coming out on top with a 10-8 Victory.
In the other U12 game Keswick ran out comfortable winners against Seaton Athletic and with this victory Keswick claimed the title of the U12 West Cumbria Futsal 2017 Spring League. This young skilful side have made it 2 Futsal campaigns in a row now without being beaten and they will be hoping that run continues on the 27th May as they will be joining Workington Wanderers Whites at the North West Regional Finals representing the area in the U12 age group.
The League wishes both teams all the best and it is hoped they have a brilliant day and enjoy the experience of playing against the other qualified teams from all across the North West of England.
