Nottingham Trent University Futsal fell to a 4-3 defeat to rivals University of Nottingham despite taking an early 3-0 lead.
Trent were looking to avenge their loss from last years Varsity series and build on the sides league success.
It got off to the perfect start for NTU as they took an early lead thanks to Joe Sandel’s strike which found the bottom corner.
A goal from Trent journo’s very own Kian Gabbett shortly followed before Joe Sandel doubled his tally to put the visitors in a commanding 3-0 position.
It was almost four for the visitors when a ball was played across the box, but the ball was scrambled into the UON keepers’ arms to keep the deficit at 3-0 going into half time.
The opening half saw NTU rarely tested by the hosts, with NTU fans quick to tease former head of futsal Ryan Mitchell who left for the other side of Nottingham in September 2024.
Despite getting the better of their opponents in January, NTU let their lead slip in the second half.
A fantastic free kick, from Finlay Mills, in the early stages of the second half saw renewed confidence from the hosts. But the goal didn’t seem to kickstart any immediate comeback, with Trent dealing with any threat the hosts threw at them.
But with six minutes on the clock, UON’s Jojo Mills pulled the game back to 3-2, before his second equalised for the hosts.
With two minutes to play, the hosts completed the turnaround to retain the Varsity trophy and bring home the bragging rights.