Historic first win for Cefn Druids in Futsal Champions League
Cardiff, WALES - 19 JUNE, 2021: FC United of Wrexham v Cefn Druids FAW Futsal League 2020/2021 at Cardiff City House of Sport on the 19th June 2021. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)
Cefn Druids signed off their UEFA Futsal Champions League campaign with a 5-2 victory over Dolphins Ashdod,
Richie Jones’ side finish the preliminary round competition ends on a high after two defeats in the first two games.
After a 5-0 defeat to Luxol St Andrews Cefn Druids second game would see them face host side KMF Proekt. Proekt would gain an 8-1 victory.
Darko Rangotov broke the deadlock after nine minutes for the hosts. Following the goal Proekt pilled pressure on the Druids goal with Todorovski soon hitting the woodwork before Rangotov had his second just before the ten minute mark. Just before 15 minutes Proekt forward Martin Mehmedinovikj made it 3-0. Druids soon pulled goal back as Jacob Wise got the clubs first Champions League goal.
Proekt pulled away in the second half scoring another five goals. Defender Aleksandar Mihajlov scoring after 22 minutes. Mihajlov added his second before Mehmedinovikj got his second. Forward Rangotov completed his hat trick with 35 minutes on the clock. Martin Todorovski scored the eight with 36 minutes played.
The win for KMF Proekt meant a final game shootout with Luxol St Andrews for top spot. Cefn Druids would face Dolphins Ashdod for the chance to finish third in the group.
In their final match of the group Cefn Druids secured a third place finish with a hard fought win over Dolphins Ashdod. After two defeats Druids were able to sign off with a good win in their first appearance in the Futsal Champions League.
A tight first half saw Joe Saunders give the Welsh side the lead on 11 minutes. Dolphins Ashdod defender Idan Shkolnik equalised after 15 minutes. As the half time break approached Bradley Dobson restored Druids lead with a goal on 18 minutes.
Nikolai Voronian levelled the scores again soon after the restart with 21 minutes on the clock. In back and fourth second half both teams had chances to take the lead. Connor Rogers having a shot blocked and another saved as Cefn Druids looked for a third. Their pressure told as Iskander Kakhramonov gave away a free-kick just outside the area. Jacob Wise took the free-kick and fired it into the goal to give Druids a 3-2 lead.
Dolphins Ashdod pilled pressure on looking to get back into the game. Leaving the goal empty as their keeper pushed up to play on the wing. Jacob Wise took advantage of 37 minutes putting the ball into the empty net from inside his own half. Just after Jordan Deer made sure of the win from a free shot after Dolphins had committed too many fouls.
A historic first Champions League win for the Wrexham-based club after two tough defeats. Cefn Druids will blow out of the UEFA Futsal Champions League on a high note with a well-earned win.
