Unlucky thirteen for MGB futsal side

Having suffered a 13-4 loss in the reverse fixture, Maccabi GB’s futsal side had a much weaker squad for the return fixture and it showed as they suffered a heavy defeat.

FA National Futsal League Division One South
FC Baltic 13 Maccabi GB Futsal 0
Sunday, 7 December, 2014

Player-manager Jon Kurrant knew the game was going to be about damage-limitation for his side, but in the opening exchanges, MGB were surprisingly the more dangerous, sitting deep, soaking up pressure and springing on the counter-attack. Jamie Bernstein and Gordon-Boyd went close and, after four minutes of play, MGB really should have been 2-0 to the good.

Davidson was mopping up any creative spark Baltic were concocting and a mixture of intense defending from MGB and complacency from Baltic meant they were in control after five minutes. Confidence began to grow within the ranks, but this actually proved to be detrimental as players were taking too many touches when in possession and allowing Baltic to counter with speed. This told as soon they flew 3-0 ahead and never fully recovering from that for the remainder of the half, Baltic added three more before the break to put them 6-0 in front.

MGB started the second half well with Kurrant, as in the first half, driving past players from tight situations and launching attacks, but Gordon-Boyd couldn’t find the finishing touch despite his great movement.

Bernstein was freed for another one-vs-one opportunity, but he tried to be too cute and scoop the keeper who stood tall to end the attack. Baltic had not been in particularly great form in possession but their counter-attack was deadly, with the visitors feeling the full wrath of this, soon finding themselves 10-0 down midway through the second half.

Jonny Cohen, a veteran at 45, made his MGB futsal debut and nearly slotted home when he turned his defender and fizzed a shot agonisingly wide of the upright. Although the score-line was heavily in Baltic’s favour, it was puzzling how MGBF did not have at least five goals on the score sheet.

The result leaves MGB bottom of the table with three points, one point adrift of FC Siauliai. The two teams have FA Futsal Cup Fixtures this weekend coming before a showdown – on 21st December at Sport House – which could prove pivotal in who stays in the division next season.

Their next game is at the Sporthouse on 21 December, with a 4pm kick-off, all support is welcome.

Squad:
1 Jordan Davidson
5 Adam Bernstein
8 Jon Kurrant
9 Jonathan Cohen
10 Jonah Gordon-Boyd
11 Jamie Bernstein