Futsal Premier League 2 Open Men’s Grand Final Review
The Futsal Premier League 2 Open Men’s season ended in pulsating fashion after a tense Grand Final between Premiers Phoenix Futsal Club and Macarthur Quake Futsal Club.
It was the Quake who lifted the trophy in a 2-1 win.
Let’s get onto the review.
Phoenix Futsal Club vs Macarthur Quake Futsal Club
Macarthur Quake Futsal Club won 2-1 against Phoenix Futsal Club down at The Centre – Dural on Saturday night.
Phoenix Futsal Club battled hard but were unable to crack the Quake defence enough. They did bring it back to 1-1 in the 32nd minute through Connor Slater but the Premiers fell to a late goal in the Grand Final.
For Quake, it was mission accomplished for them to win the title. They got the band back together and finished one last job. Conor Irwin made it 1-0 in the 3rd minute before they were pegged back but Mark Symington got the winner in the 38th minute for 2-1.
The game started off in a fast fashion between two sides that haven’t had much between them in the two regular season games.
Mark Symington authored the first chance of the game. The Quake attacker found space and swept it wide.
Macarthur Quake Futsal Club made it 1-0 in the 3rd minute. Bradon Clissold put it on a plate for Conor Irwin to chest home.
Not content to sit on their lead, Quake kept pushing. Clissold was involved again and he put an effort on target for Phoenix Futsal Club keeper James Brunacci to save.
Joshua Moore helped Phoenix Futsal Club find their rhythm. He had a dogged run towards goal which ended with a good shot.
Next, it was Paul Lee who tried to find an equalizer. He wriggled free from a defender and shot straight at Quake keeper Bradley Peryman.
Peryman turned provider next. He lobbed one perfectly towards Danny Martinez who controlled it and thumped an effort onto the bar.
Phoenix Futsal Club had a pair of shots to get back in the game. Moore shot straight then Lee had a free-kick which fizzed wide.
The game kept a high pace all half. Clissold shot wide then Aidan Limbrey and Shaun Irwin had efforts at goal.
Jay Azzopardi almost brought the Phoenix level in style. A kick-in found him on the wings and he produced a thunderous volley which was caught well.
Quake ended the half with chances to make it two. Shaun Irwin dug one wide then Alexander Purves fired wide.
Phoenix Futsal Club started the second half on the front foot. Lee shot wide then Lachie Davis poked over.
They kept looking for an opening again from a set piece. Azzopardi punched the free-kick low and Peryman parried it away.
Lee had a pair of chances from close range. He dragged one wide of the post then couldn’t convert a pass from Slater.
Phoenix Futsal Club made it 1-1 in the 32nd minute. Andrew Ferrera with a precise pass to find Slater who curved it home.
Martinez almost had an instant response for Quake. He held the ball up well before turning and whipping it wide.
Buoyed by the goal, Phoenix Futsal Club went inches from the lead. Matthew Luttringer found a pocket of space and rattled the right post.
It was a frantic finish to the game. Lockhart cushioned a ball towards Limbrey who couldn’t poke it home.
Next, Peryman showed off his arm again with a throw to Martinez who flicked a header straight at Brunacci.
Quake made it 2-1 in the 38th minute from a well worked move. Martinez worked it to Lockhart who found a deep lying Symington to smash home.
Phoenix Futsal Club went for the powerplay to chase the game. It gave them a flurry of chances to equalize.
Lee had a strike beaten away while they kept the ball fizzing around the pitch looking for the one opening.
It did leave the back door open, Quake had a few chances to put it in the open net. The best fell to Purves who had an effort swept away.
There was one final chance for Phoenix Futsal Club. It was worked around from the trailing side towards Moore who hit the post.
Quake were able to hold on and secured a close 2-1 win and pull off the Grand Final win to end a remarkable season.
Post match, Phoenix Futsal Club’s Andrew Ferrera reflected on the game and the season for his side:
“I am pretty disappointed but we tried hard to get back into it. We won the league which is a big achievement for the club with a team that is mostly new to futsal. It is a tough way to end but a fantastic season.” said Ferrera.
For Quake coach Dean Lockhart, he reflected on the season and the feeling of getting to lift a trophy:
“It was a tough game, they came out aggressive and pressed us. Our class prevailed after they tired late in the game. We have a few tricks in our locker and it was good to see it work out. It is the best feeling to come back and deliver a trophy for the club while enlisting the help from a few legends of the club.” said Lockhart.
MATCH STATS
Saturday 21 December 2024
The Centre – Dural
Referees: Anthony Mansour, Peter Liaros, Jake Rose, Dion Bradley and Mitchell Renton
Phoenix Futsal Club 1 (Slater ’32)
Macarthur Quake Futsal Club 2 (C Irwin ‘3 Symington ’38)
Phoenix Futsal Club: 1. James Brunacci, 2. Joshua Moore, 4. Matthew Luttringer, 6. Lachie Davis, 7. Jay Azzopardi, 9. Connor Slater, 13. Edward Bacon, 21. Angus Til, 22. Andrew Ferrera, 28. Paul Lee, 29. Julian Du Plessis, 42. Daniel Mahoney
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Macarthur Quake Futsal Club: 1. Liam Polinsky, 3. Luke Bell, 4. Bradon Clissold, 5. Mark Symington, 6. Aidan Limbrey, 7. Shaun Irwin, 8. Alexander Purves, 10. Danny Martinez, 11. Dean Lockhart, 12. Radwan Jinjnazi, 14. Conor Irwin, 20. Bradley Peryman
Yellow cards: Martinez C Irwin Symington
Red cards: nil
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
