Loughborough Academy faced Tranmere Rovers in the opening match of the FA National League Two on Sunday at Loughborough University.
Despite an open first half with both teams creating chances and having even possession, Damon Shaw’s Tranmere Rovers went into the half time break with a 4-1 lead.
However Loughborough Academy, comprised of young players studying at Loughborough as part of the International Futsal Academy provided an outstanding performance in the second half with goals from Ben Amare (4), Liam Hulse (3), Ollie Burton (2) and Josh Novis (1)
Loughborough Academy Coach and IFA Development Manager Marc Forrest expressed his delight. “The players did brilliantly and deserve a lot of praise for both their application and performance during the game and the preparations beforehand. The squad today was made up of young English players all aged nineteen and under so it was a tremendous effort by all and valuable experience”
Loughborough Academy will next host neighbours Nottingham Futsal Club on 2nd October, 14:00 kick off at the Radmoor Centre, Loughborough College.
England Futsal Senior National Squad played Sweden in London last month in a double header fixture that saw England avenge a 3-1 defeat to win convincingly 7-3 in front of an England Futsal highest crowd attendance record of 1,430 for a home international.
International Futsal Academy Director, Michael Skubala led the England Futsal team to victory in one the strongest performances by England in recent time. By his side, Head of Coaching & Sport Science, Daniel Berdejo-del-Fresno, who assisted in his role as England Senior Strength & Conditioning coach. England Futsal treated the fans at the iconic London 2012 venue, the Copper Box Arena, to a thrilling display that saw a professional and organised England frustrate a competent Sweden side,
International Futsal Academy and Loughborough Students talent, James Webb, featured in both matches with consistent performances contributing to England Futsal success whilst adding two more international caps to his collection. Both Friday and Saturday was a tremendous boost for Futsal in England with lots of young supporters enthused and excited by Futsal, wanting to get plenty of photos and autographs.
England: 1 James Dalton (GK; Baku United), 2 Ben Mortlock (c; Sheffield FC), 3 Agon Rexha (Baku United), 4 Doug Reed (Baku United), 5 George Nash (Bristol City FC), 6 Raoni Medina (Reading FC), 7 David Jennings (West London), 8 Luke Ballinger (Chippenham Town), 9 Will Rooke (Loughborough Students), 10 James Webb (Loughborough Students), 11 Richard Ward (Sheffield FC), 12 Stuart Cook (Manchester), 13 Jordan Parker (GK; Manchester), 14 Guillermo Wallace (Real Betis FSN).
England goals: Cook 3, Ballinger 5, 7, 32, Wallace 9, Rexha 25, 37.
Sweden goals: Dana Kuhi 23, Sargon Abraham 35, 35
Attendance: 1,430
