Report: Maidenhead United 2-1 Bloomsbury Futsal

 

Maidenhead United secured a spot in the League Cup semi-finals following a 2-1 victory over Bloomsbury Futsal Club. A first half brace from Diogo Luz was enough to earn United a spot in the last four, despite many attempts from the visitors to fight back. 

 

The game started off frantic, with both sides full of energy and up for the occasion, meaning end-to-end action for the opening five minutes. 

 

Bloomsbury playing out from the back and trying to build their attacks from defensive areas was a constant them throughout the game, giving United their best opportunities in counter attacks. 

 

A lapse in concentration at the back led to a mistake by goalkeeper, Jack Walsh just outside his area, and he was forced to kick it out for a kick in. The resulting kick in was struck quickly towards goal by Harry Tozer, set perfectly for Diogo Luz to beautifully flick the ball off his heel and into the near corner. 

 

The visitors came back fighting and tested Ben Lazarus a couple of time in quick succession. Lazarus pulled off some fantastic saves and turned away everything that towards his goal, but the pick of the bunch was a well-struck volley that Lazarus moved quickly across his goal to turn round the post. 

 

Two minutes before half time, Luz doubled his totally and United lead. Again, Bloomsbury lost the ball around halfway, this time messing around in possession and allowing Luz to intercept a panicked pass. Luz beat his man with a body feint before toe-punting a thunderous shot in off the post. 

 

HALF TIME – Maidenhead United 2-0 Bloomsbury Futsal 

 

Bloomsbury came out for the second half tenaciously, chasing every ball with a high press on United’s defence as they searched for a route back into the game. 

 

It took just two minutes in the second half for them to half the deficit, Logan Wisnewski tapped in at the back post. He was found by Connor Millar who drilled the ball through United’s defence into Wisnewski’s path – both of whom played for the home side when it was formerly known as Reading Royals. 

 

Fine minutes later, Wisnewski was presented a golden chance to equalise, but he miscued his shot and cleared the ball away from the goal. Again, at the back post but this time unable to add the finishing touch. 

 

Bloomsbury continued to be a constant threat and give Lazarus and the United defence ample work to do but nothing they couldn’t deal with. Lazarus had his work cut out with a few shots that came his way, but some fine reflexes made sure United held onto their lead. 

 

United’s chances were limited to what they could create on the break, having a couple of chances to kill the game off but a combination of good defending a cynical tackles prevented them from extending their lead. 

 

With two minutes remaining Bloomsbury began to throw everything at the Magpies, going into fly goalkeeper. Maidenhead defended resolutely and had a few chances to finish into an empty net but failed to convert them. 

 

It would be Bloomsbury however who would rue their missed chances as United held on and closed the game out perfectly, securing their spot in the last four. 

 

FULL TIME – Maidenhead United 2-1 Bloomsbury Futsal 

 

With Bloomsbury out the cup it means there will be a new name on the trophy this season. United’s progression will mean they face one of Loughborough Students, Manchester Futsal and London Genesis in the semi-finals. 

 

The two sides will face each other again next week, but in the NFS Cup this time, with Bloomsbury welcoming Maidenhead to Aldenham School.