Tranmere Rovers Futsal 10 Sheffield FC Futsal 2: Demolition job for Rovers
Rovers picked up their first points of a new campaign with a dazzling ten goal home display.
Goals from Saunders, Taher, Wheeler, Waterson, Jackson, Sandham and Best secured a memorable triumph in the first home game of the 2018/19 season.
It was Tranmere who started the game in an exciting fashion. The deadlock was broken after just two minutes when Saunders slotted calmly from close range to put the hosts into the ascendancy early on.
Waves of Rovers attacks continued as minutes later goal scorer Saunders attempt was agonisingly denied by the woodwork to the relief of the Sheffield players.
The stylish, confident play reaped more rewards for the home side as ‘super sub’ Taher converted emphatically from the penalty spot after 12 minutes, after the Sheffield defender was deemed to have handled the ball in the area.
The onslaught showed no signs of stopping when Wheeler added a third in the 15th minute, when his shot bundled past the stopper and Waterson curled a delightful strike into the top corner just a minute later to make it four.
Soon after it was a fantastic five, as Wheeler notched up his second of the match in the 17th minute. It was then time for Captain Jackson to pop up with a goal to make it six. The Sheffield players appeared to be willing the referee to blow the half time whistle.
But before that was the case, there was time for one more. Sandham’s unstoppable strike averted the reach of the Sheffield stopper.
The half time whistle blew with Rovers in a fantastic position, a near perfect half of Futsal, with the side showing no hangover from a disappointing defeat against Cheshire Futsal Club in the season opener last time out.
The pattern of the first half remained in the early stages of the second period. Vaz went one on one with the Sheffield stopper, but was denied by a brilliant save to the annoyance of the Rovers pivot.
Resilience from the visitors was ended in the 29th minute, when Best showed why he wears the number nine; latching on to a rebound to place the ball expertly passed the helpless stopper.
There was some consolation for Sheffield, as the pivot stroked the ball through the legs of Bickerstaffe in the 34th minute to end any opportunity for a clean sheet.
This setback didn’t deter Rovers as five minutes later the skipper Jackson completed his brace to add an impressive ninth strike for Tranmere.
A swift response from Sheffield seconds later doubled their goal tally for the match. However in the final minute Taher struck low and hard to bring up double figures and seal a tremendous win.
Rovers travel to Liverpool Futsal next Sunday. They will be hoping they can replicate this result on the road and earn a first away victory of the new season, as they look to climb the table in the FA Futsal National North 1.
By Joe Sargent