Curtis hat-trick secures Cup final berth for Team Sunderland Ladies Futsal

Team Sunderland 6-1 York St John’s University, Cityspace, Sunderland

Team Sunderland Ladies Futsal thrashed York St John 6-1 to progress to the final of the Northern Conference Cup where they will face the winner of Chester v Manchester.

A Victoria Curtis hat-trick alongside a brace from Katie Ellison and Megan Elliott strike secured the comfortable win for the hosts and now puts them within 40 minutes from silverware.

Sunderland’s road to the semi-final was made easier by Durham not turning up for their quarter-final fixture, but they displayed their credentials in the emphatic 18-1 victory in the round of 16 to show they were fully deserving off their place in the final.

The hosts fielded three members of their Elite Athlete Scheme against York, and the quality showed early on.

Curtis opened the scoring after receiving the ball from a short corner before smashing it in off the left upright.

Curtis was involved in the second as well, this time firing a shot that the keeper failed to hold on to, leading to a simple tap-in for Katie Ellison from close range.

Ellison got her second with arguably the goal of the game, with a long range effort from just passed the halfway line leaving York keeper helpless.

Sunderland were rampant, and made it four when Curtis converted at the near post following some good build-up play down the left.

Curtis’ hat-trick was equally impressive, this time dancing through a couple of defenders and placing the ball into the top left corner.

Elliott got in on the act late on with a lovely team goal. Holly Sainthouse played a one-two with Elliott, with the return pass being a delicate chip over the keeper allowing Elliott to chest it down and volley into an unguarded net.