It’s already being dubbed as ‘The Battle of York 2018’, but this Saturday afternoon York City Futsal and Tranmere Rovers contest the final remaining place in the National Super League at the YorkSport Arena (kick-off 3.15pm).
Both clubs are newcomers to the top-flight this season and experienced a particularly difficult Sunday only yesterday, with third-bottom York required to play two tough away games beginning seven hours apart – and clearly suffered for it.
First they were heavily defeated 9-1 by current league leaders London Helvecia, before then crashing 7-0 at London City in their early evening kick-off.
Meanwhile, Tranmere took on the only other title-challengers in Reading Escolla and were soundly thrashed 14-3.
Photo: Ian Parker
It’s a massive weekend for York City Futsal manager Junior Roberti
That leaves the Minstermen knowing that a victory against Rovers on Saturday would almost certainly keep them up as they currently hold a three-point advantage over their rivals and a noticeably better goal-difference.
Perhaps crucially, York’s remaining four fixtures are all at home, with Cambridge United, Oxford City Lions and Reading similarly to visit the YorkSport Arena.
Of those games a couple are clearly winnable, but having recently suffered a last-gasp 5-4 defeat at Tranmere, City boss Junior Roberti will be wanting an important revenge and no mistake this time.
Leading marksman Daniel Pedras scored a hat-trick in that particular fixture to take his overall total to fourteen, but is currently injured having suffered a broken hand against Helvecia.
His absence can only be a major concern, while skipper Fabinho Almeida didn’t appear at maximum fitness during the severely challenging weekend double-header.
For their part, Rovers now have only three games remaining, with the other two both against Oxford – whose form this season has been largely mixed.
Photos by kind permission of Ian Parker
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