As part of a CPD event for local coaches, the Aztecs hosted a friendly against London Genesis. Following the recent restart of the local Hampshire league, this was our second time playing a game at Southampton Solent. Many players and both coaches are former or current students at Solent. It's also nice to be playing a game in Southampton for once. So nice, in fact, that three players took the opportunity to walk to the game. That's a little different from the regular cross-country trips and hotel stays that come with NFS competition.
We thank London Genesis for coming down, and it was great to see them again. They're a wonderful bunch, very spirited, and have improved a lot since last season, as was shown by their recent league campaign, where they picked up two wins, and got themselves off the bottom of the table.
With a sizeable crowd of friends and family, the coaching cohort, and even some locals who'd come to see the Aztecs in person, Southampton played many of the big names you get to see on BT Sport, and also two youngsters, who will be featuring for us next season, in Hannah Walker, and Mo Delaney, who played the entire game in goal. With few local referees qualified to referee futsal, the game was officiated by the great Lee Silverwood, and also coach Will Wilson, a football referee of sixteen years, who is in the process of qualifying as a futsal referee.
The game finished 6-2 to Southampton, and we feel the crowd were adequately entertained by the futsal display they had been given. It was 3-1 at half-time, and 6-1 going into the last seconds, when the Genesis keeper scored a dropkick with what was the last kick of the game. Below, we can show you the Southampton goals.
Rebecca Moody made it 1-0 assisted by Divina Alo Ilolo.
Kath Heath made it 2-0 after Kayleigh Tonks played a one-two with Nicki Curtis and sent the ball across goal.
The Tonks Connection in full effect as Kayleigh and Bekah press together to steal the ball, then Kayleigh supplies Bekah for the bottom left finish to make it 3-0.
Kath Heath taps in at the far post, but the referee had already blown for the penalty. You can see immediately the look on Will's face when he realises he should have played the advantage.
This was no issue, as Rebecca Moody stepped up to make it 4-1 to the Aztecs.
Kath Heath pokes it in to make it 5-1.
Hannah Walker with the icing on the cake, supplied by Kayleigh Tonks.
If you enjoy the look of futsal, and want to get involved, send us your details here. We're looking to create more opportunities to play over the summer, and want as many people to play as possible. It's a great sport, and there should be more of it, regardless of your experience or ability.
Don't forget to keep supporting the Aztecs. We head into our final regular season game before the playoffs. It's on Monday morning on BT Sport, which you can enjoy with your bank holiday breakfast.
If you want our official Adidas kit, get yourself over to KitLocker.
If you would like other Aztecs merchandise, go to Spreadshirt.
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