Recap

FC Carlton Heart has secured a triumphant return to Series Futsal Victoria, winning its first game back in the competition against a tiring Balwyn side.

Carlton started strongly and when captain Chaaban Rajab headed the ball past Balwyn keeper Steve Castvan, they had a deserved lead which they took into the half-time interval.

The game was end to end at the start of the second half, but when Carlton regained the momentum and opened up a 3-1 lead, Balwyn deployed the fifth-man tactic and got one back.

They persisted with the tactic despite five minute remaining on the clock and Carlton being only one foul away from conceding a ten-metre penalty, a move that ultimately cost Balwyn.

The Heart went on to score three more goals with Balwyn’s goal unattended, securing a resounding 6-1 win, a scoreline that did not do the tight game justice.

Man of the match: Chaaban Rajab (FC Carlton Heart)