After having dominated the group stages, Ross Juniors Under 8s played Futsal Hawks in the Herefordshire Football Association Futsal semi-finals. Playing against a team well versed in this specific variant of football, Ross knew they had a tough game ahead.

Right from the start Jakson was forced to defend deep, along with Thomas, to break up Hawks’ incessant attacks.

Louis was tested a number of times in goal and his valiant efforts kept the score level for most of the first half. However an unlucky deflection led to Hawks setting up their first goal.

Charlie, Jakson and Gabriel soon started to assert themselves and it was Gabriel who equalled the score. Taking a through ball from Thomas out to the wing, he slotted in from a tight angle. From then to half time they swarmed around their goal. Niall was unlucky not to score and a goal was disallowed from a Jakson kick-in.

With Toby in goal for the second half, Luca, Jakson and Niall continued to pressure but, against the run of play, Hawks managed to slot one in, followed by another from distance. Jakson stole the ball in midfield and got one back with calm composure.

It was not the Under 8s’ day though. Even with both Dylan and Thomas at the back, Hawks finished the game off with another three goals.

It was a remarkable achievement for the Ross boys to make it to the Futsal semi-finals, a point made by Manager Mark in the post-match debrief. Playing such flowing football hints at the success they will surely have when they return to playing on grass this spring.