On Sunday, Cambridge United FC Futsal visited York in what was already billed as a relegation 6 pointer.  Cambridge finished third in the league last season, but have struggled at the start of this.  After two straight  defeats York were looking to get back on the winning trail.

York started in confident mode and took the lead in the 3rd minute when a cross was met at the far post by Daniel Pedras.  A minute later, the same player rattled the upright with a fierce drive from a free kick.  York doubled their lead on 7 minutes when Daniel Pedras turned his defender and fired low in to the far corner.

York were dominating the ball and Michael Bulmer missed three chances to increase the York lead.  On 13 minutes Cambridge pulled a goal back from a quickly taken corner.  Just before half time, Daniel Pedras ran at the Cambridge defence, beating two players before being hacked down just inside the area.  Unbelievably the referee saw it just outside the box and much to the York players astonishment, awarded a free kick, which came to nothing

Half time – York City FC Futsal 2 – Cambridge United FC Futsal 1.

Within a minute of the restart, Fabinho Almeida scored a screamer from a well worked corner.  Two minutes later, Daniel Pedras intercepted a long throw from the Cambridge goalkeeper, and powered the ball into the back of the net to complete his hat trick.  Jamie Bettson should have added to the lead but shot tamely straight at the keeper from right in front.

York were dominating the ball, and the chances kept coming, Daniel Pedras struck the post with another fierce drive.  But on 12 minutes the best move of the match, saw all the York outfield players involved with some incisive passing to release Manuel Mankoke right in front, but instead of shooting he unselfishly drew the goalkeeper before setting up Michael Bulmer for a simple tap in.

A minute later, a near identical move saw the roles reversed with Michael Bulmer and Manuel Mankoke, but this time he hit the outside of the post.  York’s goalkeeper Martin Michels was kept alert with three fine saves within a 6 minute spell, the last being a brilliant one on one save at the feet of the Cambridge attacker.

With 6 minutes to go, Cambridge flew their keeper and pinned York in their own half.  After defending bravely for 3 minutes, York’s defence was finally breached, with a well worked far post finish for Cambridge.  With the clock down to 1 second, Fabinho Almeida completed the scoring when put through one on one, he cleverly lifted the ball over the advancing keeper, for a classy finish.

Full time – York City FC Futsal 6 – Cambridge United FC Futsal 2.

In conversation with Michael Bulmer after the game, he said, ‘It was a good game, but we made it difficult for ourselves by not finishing some of our chances.  They flew the keeper at the end and put us under pressure for a while, but we fought it out and won the game.’

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