MATCH REPORT: Derby drop points against Durham

Derby 2 Durham 3 – FA National Futsal Series Tier Two North

Author: Paddy Finnemore

Derby Futsal Club suffered only their second defeat of the season with a 3-2 loss to Durham Palatinates. 

Durham got their revenge after the thrilling 6-5 FA cup match only a week before. This game was completely different. Both sides were resolute in defence and chances were few and far between. The first goal of the game came very early on. Durham took the lead with a simple header at the far post from Robbie Bettson after a cross was fired in by Jonny Lazenby. 

Derby couldn’t get going in the first half, this performance was a lot different to the match between the two sides only a week ago. Derby Goalkeeper Richard Hankey was one of the players of the game making save after save which was a constant theme throughout. The first half got a lot worse for Derby after Pawel Tomczak got himself sent off for retaliating to a tackle. 

The second half started as the first half finished as Durham doubled their lead in the 22nd minute. Jonny Lazenby was involved again as he tapped in from close range into an empty net. Being a man down was a factor in that goal. Again Hankey was keeping Derby in it with a brilliant off the line clearance to stop Durham getting a third. 

It was a special day for one Derby player as Charlie Marzano made his debut for the club and got on the scoresheet. He ran down the right wing and his fierce shot flew past the helpless keeper.  Durham then got back to their two goal lead with a scrappy goal. Scott Gunn who scored four last week was involved, this time an unlucky rams player put into his own net. Liam Hunt then got his second in as many games with a long range effort that gave Derby hope but Durham held on to secure the three points. 

Sam Huntingdon, the player-manager had his thoughts on the game. “It’s a disappointing result, it shows the fine margins of futsal. A mixture of bad luck and a lack of energy culminated in the 3-2 loss.” Sadly Huntingdon pulled his groin very early on and couldn’t play for the rest of the game. It looks like he will be out for over a month. 

Debutant and Derby’s player of the game Charlie Marzano shared his feelings on his first game. “Glad to get my first goal for Derby I hope to get many more.” Marzano is confident that the team can bounce back. “The lads know what they are doing and we know what we need to do as a club to move on and get back to winning ways.”

Derby will hope to bounce back against Sunderland on the 15th of March.