Match Report Futsal: FA National League
Fixture: FA National League Futsal
Date and time: Sunday 11 March 2012, 1.00pm Ko
Results: Team Bath 3 – 1 Loughborough University
Venue: University of Bath, Founders Hall
Team Bath encountered arch rivals Loughborough University in the National League, in what would be the first match out of three that will take place over the space of seven days.
Bath looked to secure a win that would put them closer to the so desired playoff place. A win would mean that Team Bath would only need one more point in the remaining two games of the season and that Loughborough would have to beat Bath on goal difference.
In front of a record crowd, both home and away supporters were present, the game started at a lower pace with both teams trying to find the right gear for the situation.
With four minutes played it was skipper Jennings with a steal high on the court that found England International player Parkes on the back post to put Bath on the lead.
Team Bath carried on piling the pressure and Loughborough reacted well by firing shots at Lima, in Bath goal, who managed to keep them at bay.
The first half finished with Loughborough on top, mainly due to the number of corners and opposition’s half kick ins they had.
The second half started the opposite way as the first half finished with Bath getting close to the second goal a few times. And with Loughborough pressing quite high on court a smart move saw Lima throw a long ball to Kitson who shot with his left foot from wide to find the back of the net.
Loughborough then decided to bet on the powerplay, but Bath defended it well and Dorin managed to steal a ball off the opposition and shoot from his own half to find the empty net.
With 3-0 on the scoreboard, and a few minutes left to play Loughborough had nothing to lose and Bath decided to opt just to defend the powerplay.
However, Bath were already on five fouls with two minutes to go and it was Yilmaz that eventually committed the sixth foul which saw Kilbride put the ball from wide past Lima.
In the end it was a very good display from Bath, a tactically perfect second half and very disciplined defending the powerplay.
Team Bath will now turn their attention to BUCS during the week, before the next National League game against Loughborough, this time away on the 18 March 2012.
Team Bath: Lima (GK), Kitson, Jennings (c), Parkes, Ingram, Dorin, Yilmaz, Clarke, Dix (GK), Kiyamov
