Blackpool FC Community Trust BTEC students made a good start to this year’s EFL Trust Futsal Cup with one win and a draw in their opening two group games in Group E.
The students travelled to Birmingham to play in the national competition. The Seasiders have managed to get to the 2nd round for the past three seasons and were optimistic of reaching the next knockout phase. Competing with them was EFL Trust teams Southend United, Port Vale, Newport County and Grimsby Town B.
Blackpool’s first fixture was against League One development side Southend United. The Seasiders started the brightest with two quick goals from Lewis Loughran. They then went 3-0 up with a nice finish through Tom Hanslip before Shane Finn burst through and neatly lifted the ball over the keeper to add a fourth for Blackpool. Blackpool were comfortable winners in the 2nd half with further goals from Loughran, Finn and Hanslip. Owen Walmsley also scored, with Callum Brown finishing well on two occasions in the second half. The final score was 10-2 to Blackpool FC Community Trust.
The Trust’s next game was against Newport County, who’d had an emphatic 9-1 win against Port Vale in their opening game. The opposition started the brighter, but it was the Seasiders who took the lead through the bright Tom Hanslip. Newport continued to attack the Seasiders, but the impressive Rory Montgomery made save after save to keep the score to 1-0.
The first half finished 1-0, with a much needed break for both teams. Blackpool got off to a great start in the second half when Shane Finn rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home to take a 2-0 lead. County dominated possession for large parts of the second half, but still couldn’t break down the Seasiders back line. With seven minutes to go they eventually did, after a neat cutback saw County slide in the ball at the back post. With two minutes left, Newport equalised after a shot from distance hit the bar and then struck goalkeeper Montgomery on the back to trickle into the net. The game finished 2-2 but The Seasiders will be disappointed they didn’t come away with all three points after a difficult test against last year’s National Development League champions.
Football Development Officer Alex Taylor said. “This group of students showed lots of potential in today’s competition after little experience playing futsal.”
“We were disappointed not to come out with maximum points from two games as we worked really hard and showed lots of desire to keep the ball out of the net.”
Blackpool FC Community Trust continue their cup run in January to play their remaining group games against bottom placed Port Vale and top placed Grimsby Town in Group E.
Want to get involved?
If you’re in Year 11 and looking to go into further education next September and would like to know more about how to get involved in our BTEC education courses, please contact the number below. You will have the unique opportunity of playing both football and Futsal against EFL trust and Premier League clubs whilst gaining qualifications and work experience with the Community Trust.
Our next open night is on Tuesday 4th December at our Community Trust office at Bloomfield Road Stadium 6-7pm. Call 01253 338691 for more information.
