On Sunday 5 February 2017, at the home of York City Futsal, League North Division Two was decided in a fantastic advert for futsal.

York City only needed one point to clinch the championship, whereas Tranmere needed a win to keep their slim hopes alive of catching York.  In what turned out to be a very tense affair, the match was simply epic!

Tranmere started on fire and were quickly 2-0 up after earlier hitting the post.  York had all the possession but couldn’t find the killer touch in front of goal.  Just before the interval, Robbie Bettson got one back for the hosts – halftime York City 1 – 2 Tranmere.

In the second half, York started on the front foot and were level when Fabinho Almedia volleyed in at the far post.  They took the lead shortly afterwards when Miguel De Vicente finished off a quick counterattack.  He added another minutes later with an unstoppable shot. The Tranmere manager was then sent off by the referee for something he said and the game looked dead and buried for Tranmere.  But futsal can change in an instant!  Two goals in a minute by Tranmere saw them draw level and with York already on 5 fouls with nearly 8 minutes to go, a tense finish was in order.

The game was end to end now with both goalkeepers pulling off save after save.  Tranmere missed a 10 metre penalty, but minutes later scored confidently from another.  York were not finished and came back with a well worked goal, scored by Victor Manuel.  In the dying seconds Tranmere flew their goalkeeper to create the extra outfield player and Phillip Codd in the York goal pulled off two fantastic saves.

Final score York City Futsal 5 – 5 Tranmere Rovers Futsal.

York were champions after an epic encounter, what a game of futsal, it had everything!

Coaches Chris and Suzy Collins took their children to watch a game for the first time, and they are desperate to come back, it was such great entertainment!

We will leave the final word to Junior Roberti, York City’s manager, he said ‘We need people to believe in us to develop this sport.  We did it in front of our people.  That’s brilliant!’

York City Futsal Club – 2016/17 Futsal League North Division Two Champions