U’s defeat Kettering to be crowned champions
Cambridge United Futsal Club came from behind on Sunday afternoon to defeat Kettering FC 7-4 and cap off a superb debut season in amber and black by lifting the League title.Luis Mendonca’s side simply needed to avoid a 19 goal swing with their nearest rivals University of Gloucestershire in their final game of the regular FA National League Midlands Division Two season.
The game started off with Kettering taking an early lead from a free-kick near the edge of the penalty area. This unsettled United slightly and Kettering punished the nervous Cambridge side on the counter attack, leaving Lima exposed in goal.
With ten minutes to play in the first half, many of the 100 strong crowd may have started to fear the worse at 0-4 down. However, Mendonca called a timeout and adjusted the approach to a defensive formation, which allowed Hardwick to capitalise on a counter attack and score the much-awaited first goal for the U’s.
Moments later, Cambridge pulled back another goal when a well-worked set play saw Kettering turn the ball into their own net.
The U’s went into the break on top of the game and knew they could keep on pushing for the win, with the title all but in the bag. This seemed to settle down the amber and black players who came out of the changing rooms at full throttle.
An outstanding display from the Kettering goalkeeper kept the U’s at bay for ten minutes until Morcillo notched United’s third goal of the game.
With five minutes left on the clock and Mendonca considering the fly goalkeeper option, the U’s equalised through Bouttell, before Chadwick scored to give the home side a deserved advantage.
Having secured complete control of possession, the U’s pinned Kettering deep into their own half and capitalised on the late pressure to score two more goals.
The U’s finished off the game and celebrated winning the Midlands Division Two title in their opening FA National League season, which is a great achievement for everyone involved and Cambridge United Football Club.
Luis Mendonca’s side now face a two month wait for the promotional play-offs semi-finals, which will be played over two legs (home and away). The final will be played at St. George's Park in June.
CUFC - Kettering FC = 7-4 (HT: 2-4)
CUFC goals: A. Antelo (1), T. Hardwick (1), L. Chadwick (1), A. Morcillo (2), M. Bouttel (1), OG