Beccles Middle Year 5 team took their place in the national futsal finals last weekend and did their school proud. The competition pitted the top 12 teams in the age group against each other at the English Institute of Sport at Sheffield.

Beccles Middle Year 5 team took their place in the national futsal finals last weekend and did their school proud.

The competition pitted the top 12 teams in the age group against each other at the English Institute of Sport at Sheffield. The boys were not let down by the venue. All four pitches were surrounded by stands, with most matches watched by 200-300 people. The FA Cup also graced the occasion.

The Beccles boys needed to finish in the top two of their group of four to qualify for the quarter-finals. In their first game they played Preston Hedges, were very nervous and struggled to play their flowing game.

Tom stood strong at the back and Regin slotted a chance home after good work from Luke, but Preston came back and equalised with two minutes to go. A 1-1 draw was a good start.

The second match saw Beccles play Fairlands School. Again Beccles dominated with George R, George M and Evan G all showing nice touches.

Beccles peppered the Fairlands goal without success. Bradley in goal was not troubled and the game ended in a 0-0 draw.

The team had played much better and the large Beccles crowd saw glimpses of their cultured, passing game.

Their final game was against FC Grimsby, one of the many academy sides in the competition. The management duo of White and Adcock changed tactics, putting James in goal and Bradley taking his place as a striker.

Beccles started confidently, playing some controlled futsal and quickly took the lead through George M. Beccles had several chances to extend their lead, but were caught on the break with a wickedly deflected goal.

James kept Beccles in the game with three fine saves and with minutes to go Bradley went on as centre forward. He had a couple of good chances to score the winner but the FC Grimsby keeper was in top form.

The Beccles bench knew that only a win was good enough and with the clock reading 30 seconds to go Bradley controlled well and poked the ball home to put Beccles 2-1 up.

The game finished with great excitement on the bench, pitch and in the stands.

The Beccles boys finished second in the group, unbeaten on five points.

In the quarter-finals Beccles were paired with the much-fancied Bartestree FC team and Beccles had plenty to prove against a side who had won all their group matches.

Beccles started well passing the ball with style with Tom, George M and George R all linking well to feed George B.

He showed his growing confidence with spins and tricks which had the crowd on their feet.

Beccles pressed and had four excellent chances, but the Bartestree keeper stood strong and kept everything out.

With only four minutes to go the Bartestree forward broke through and slotted the ball home. Beccles needed to score so pushed forward, but with seconds left on the clock Bartestree scored a second, breaking the hearts of the Beccles team.

Headteacher David Baker said “This is a remarkable achievement for the team and for the school.

“We have been up against teams representing Premier-ship and Championship clubs and been able to match them for skill, effort and ability.

“Everyone here today has played their part including the boys, the parents, the staff and Suffolk FA.

“Once again, I am left feeling incredibly proud of our school.“

The Beccles team poved themselves a match for all the top futsal sides in the country.

They thanked all the parents for their support, Mr White, Mr Adcock, Mr Baker, Miss Minter, Miss Bateman and Phil Woolnough (Suffolk FA) for their hard work and the team sponsors Cyril Sweett and RJK Contractors.

The Beccles boys won many friends over the day with their style of play and sporting behaviour and now look forward to playing at the national stage in future seasons.