York City Futsal’s first of a tough double-header in the capital ended with a 9-1 defeat at National Super League leaders London Helvecia.
Already deprived of sidelined leading goalscorer Daniel Pedras, the visitors could also only sparingly use limping skipper Fabinho Almeida during the contest.
Therefore it was a largely young-looking side attempting to manage two games on the same day. Relegation-threatened City are also in action at London City later this evening (kick-off 6.30pm).
England Under-19 international Michael Bulmer actually had an early shot parried by former York keeper Jonny Sim, although Russ Goldstein soon turned in a quick free-kick at the far post for the opening goal.
That was added to as a miscued shot was laid off for James Webb to tap in from close-range, while City’s Wlad de Paula next saved well at the expense of a corner.
The Minstermen were being restricted to just the occasional break while working hard to keep their table-topping opponents at a reasonable distance.
However, twice the visitors struck wide when coming from deep before De Paula was required to save low. The hosts then missed another decent opportunity when turning behind at the far post.
But when York carelessly surrendered possession immediately in front of goal, it allowed Stuart Cook to rifle into the top of the net and suddenly make it 3-0.
Earlier marksman Webb then added a fourth ahead of the interval from a low free-kick travelling into the far corner.
Photo: Ian Parker
Skipper Fabinho Almeida only had limited involvement for the visitors
Always industrious York deserved some reward for their efforts and received it early in the second-half as Bulmer impressively slotted across goal.
Helvecia then briefly found their numbers reduced when goalscorer Cook was sent-off – and their opponents immediately went to a fly keeper and struck against the post.
But with the hosts back up to the full complement and the intensity of the contest understandably dropping, they scored again with a simple free-kick being tapped in by Webb; although Bulmer missed a great chance for his second when Sim blocked on the break.
And a fantastic strike from just inside the opposition half by Richard Ward made it 6-1 to the leaders before the same player added another at the far post.
Further late goals from Ruben Santos, with a finish across goal, and Liam Palfreeman rounded it off just before the end against a tiring side with still another important match to play.
Photos by kind permission of Ian Parker
