Match Report v Whitworth Park B

Match Report 28/10/15
History FC 3-1 Whitworth Park B
The men in blue continued their fine early season form this past Wednesday to notch a third win on the bounce. The form team in Division 2 are flying high after a convincing 3-1 victory over the B’s from Whitworth Park. However, the day did not begin well for History as just before kick-off news began to filter through to the Wythenshawe press box that midfielder Tom Glover had failed a late fitness test. Sources close to Glover have confirmed that he had been suffering from a near fatal bout of Essay-crisisitis over the past couple of days and it had left him in no fit state to take part in Wednesday’s game.  Fortunately his absence wasn’t felt too harshly as a new look midfield of Nathan Bennett and Nick Jeyarajah provided a strong platform from which History built an early lead.
History flew out the blocks as Whitworth struggled to deal with the high-pressing 3-5-2 system employed by ‘tinkerman’ Dan Bunter’s team. The counter pressing soon paid dividends for the men in blue as the ball was nicked off a Whitworth foot and Henry Scanlan was sent racing through, Scanlan finished coolly in a manner reminiscent of a young Thierry Henry. History were ahead and it could have and should have been more as the Referee and his imaginary linesmen made several extremely dubious offside calls throughout the half. The lead was eventually doubled just before half time as a trademark Dan Bunter Free-kick was nodded in by a hapless Whitworth defender, leaving History with a deserved two goal lead.
The second half carried on where the first had left off with History dominating the leafy Wythenshawe turf and before long they had their third. Yet another fine Bunter delivery was cleared to the edge of the box where it was met crisply by Nathan Bennett and drilled into the bottom corner, a well-deserved first History goal for the combative midfielder. Whitworth did eventually manage to pull one back as Josh Scott saw his dreams of emulating Neil Davies’ clean sheet the previous week dashed by a neat finish from the Whitworth man. The game soon became fractious and disjointed with a high number of fouls given away by each side. Despite the lapse for the goal the back three were troubled little by a feeble Whitworth attack led by the man who had rejected History’s overtures during the transfer window, Kane Nimblette. This was until centre-back Will Kelly took matters into his own hands after being shoved by Nimblette and aggressively pushed the striker in the chest. Presumably letting him know politely that’s what you get for turning down History FC, the referee took exception to this for some reason and awarded a penalty in the dying seconds of the game. Could the comeback be on? The answer was no as Kane wasn’t Abel and blasted over from 12 yards. Three points secured and a very satisfying win over Whitworth Park B and their captain, who is by all accounts a bit of kn*b. History march on!
Your faithful reporter,
Neil Davies

Match report v UMCCFC

Match Report 21/10/15

History FC 1-0 UMCC FC

Captain Dan Bunter fired in a late free kick amid controversial circumstances to earn History FC a second win in a row. After an early morning downpour, conditions were perfectly set for the team’s passing style of play, which was further facilitated by a change to a 3-5-2 formation as Bunter continues his reputation as ‘the tinkerman’ of   Division 2.

The Blues began in dominant fashion, a solid back three allowing wing-backs Ollie Brown and Scott Doherty to exploit the spaces out wide with lung-busting runs, providing plenty of service to the new-look strike partnership of Henry Scanlan and Joe Blewett. History FC pressed and probed with a tenacity inspired by Jurgen Klopp’s ‘gegen press’, and were twice unlucky not to go ahead through Tom Russell who was denied once by a flying save, and once by an air shot.

Despite the dominance of History’s attacking play the standout moment of the half came moments before half-time when stand-in keeper Neil Davies sprawled to his right to fingertip a dangerous header round the post. Rumour has it that Manuel Neuer made his miraculous save against Theo Walcott at the Emirates the previous night having studied videos of Davies in training. The keeper also had the fortunate benefit, unlike number one Josh Scott, of not having to constrain a fired up Will Kelly, who expertly constrained his passion to marshalling the defence.

The second half continued in the same vein with the Blues continuing to create chances but lacking that finishing touch. Despite being a relatively clean game, the referee did little to calm a tense final twenty minutes having seemingly lost the use of his voice, whistle and arms. With around ten minutes remaining, the UMCC goalkeeper flapped at Bunter’s free kick under pressure from Scanlan and the ball nestled into the back of the net. While the History boys were jogging back to the halfway line, UMCC were protesting for a foul on their keeper.

In a quite baffling error of judgement, the referee announced that he’d given a goal kick, possibly the only decision that could leave neither team satisfied. After some persuasion the referee awarded the goal, but continued to make some remarkable decisions. History FC went close again through both strikers but could not extend their lead, while Davies continued to show shades of Phil Jagielka vs Arsenal with another fine save.

The fixtures continue to come thick and fast for the team, but after recent performances the boys will be looking to mount an assault on the top of the Division as well as have a good run in the cup.    

Joe Blewett, History FC's suffering Villa fan.

Match Report v Medics Wednesday

History FC 5-3 Medics Wednesday

14/10/15

Highlights

·      A Henry Scanlan hat-trick on only his second appearance for the team

·      Last seasons top scorer Joel Standerwick returns to scoring with a brace

·      Will Kelly’s fit-of-passion

·      The Professor returns

Conditions were perfect, a little hint of Sun, a slight breeze and no rain. Also, History FC’s loyal fan, aptly the named ‘The Professor’ was back to watch some quality ISSL Division 2 football. The nightmare of last weeks calamitous #BusGate was soon forgotten as the team arrived in good time before kick-off and were sufficiently prepared to commence battle against the originally-named Medics Wednesday.

A slight change in formation to a 4-2-3-1 worked wonders as lone striker Joel Standerwick was always in the game, with regular service being provided by Henry Scanlan and Tom Russell. The team found themselves 3-0 up after approximately 30 minuntes, with the Scanlan and Standerwick duo combining well against a rather underwhelming opposition defence.

History FC’s relentless desire to play the Barcelona ‘tiki-taka’, possession-based game, led to giving the ball away in some dangerous areas, resulting in Medics Wednesdays’s first goal, a well-placed 25 yard strike. 3-1 at half time certainly flattered the opposition, with History being a constant threat in the attacking half.

Will Kelly exemplified his passion for History FC, with a spectacular outburst at goalkeeper Josh Scott after a bobble-of-the-ball led to a chance for the Medics just before half time. The pair soon healed their divisions and their competitive spirit was great to see. Though, this incident of argy-bargy will inevitably go down in History FC folklore.

Scanlan’s hat-trick was completed with a well-taken finish after 60 minutes, underlining his credentials as a striking option for the team. The Medics were allowed back into the game courtesy of dodgy hand-ball and Keeper Scott was unable to repeat his penalty-saving heroics of last week.

Standerwick completed his brace with another well-taken finish, after a delightful ball from History centre-back and Paul Scholes lookalike, Patrick Harvey. Standerwick’s finish reaffirmed his goal-scoring talents and the future looks bright with History’s SAS (Scanlan and Standerwick).

Isolated incidents of tension occurred during the game, including full-back Nick Jeyarajah’s polite questioning of his opponent as to whether he ‘wants some’. As well as Tom Glover’s ability to wind-up opponents with his quick wit and a cynical hand-ball.

Frustratingly, the opposition scored a consolation goal with the last kick of the game, however History FC’s spirits were high having got a well-deserved first victory of the season.

It is clear that the team will only benefit from more game time together, but the signs so far look very positive with all the new recruits settling in very well. Onwards and upwards to next week.

Dan Bunter, History FC Captain

Match report v BA Econ 7/7/15

Match Report: 7/7/15
History FC 0-1 BA Econ

The excitement of a new season soon turned sour for the boys in blue in Division Two as they fell to a 0-1 opening day defeat at the hands of BA Econ. The History boys didn’t get off to the best of starts as three of their players were left stranded by the city’s bus service on a day when X41s were as rare as a Will Kelly goal. Rumours began to swirl that the lack of buses was in some way due to the Tory Conference going on in the city centre, as those affiliated to History were left once again cursing Cameron under their breath.

The game itself began well for History FC as the new look team featuring 6 debutants started strongly; playing their unique brand of total football. The first action of any note came from a Tom Glover half volley which whistled just past the post via a deflection. A chance brought to you by Smirnoff Ice Guarana©. A matter of minutes later and another chance as Henry Scanlan was slid clean through by a trademark Dan Bunter pass but it was not to be as a gargantuan bobble wrong footed the History man and he blasted over what was the clearest chance of the game.

Disaster struck soon after as a BA Econ attack resulted in a penalty being awarded. The referee pointed to the spot after the ball struck the hand of debutant Nick Jeyarajah but all was not lost. ‘Keeper Josh Scott pulled off a blinding save from the spotkick, holding onto the ball after flinging himself down to his left. A magnificent first action on what would be a sterling debut for the new ‘keeper. History started to grow in confidence and another great chance went begging. Scanlan swung in a cross from the right and it was met by the swirling golden locks of left winger Tom Russell but the Econ ‘keeper was equal to it making the save. Moments later Econ were ahead, a deep cross from the right was met by an Econ head and buried in the bottom corner, a fine goal against the run of play for the away side.

Captain Bunter soon rang the changes making three substitutions for the second half including veteran History stalwart Lewis Ryder returning from his one season in the Chinese Super League. The changes made little difference as History huffed and puffed against a defence tighter than George Osborne’s austerity measures with no success. The History boys bravely applied pressure on their well organised opposition but a lack of cutting edge when entering the final third cost them.

In the end a couple of breakaway counters from BA Econ resulting in fine saves from the catlike Josh Scott were the only chances of the second half as Econ slowed the game down with a number of cynical fouls and History’s frustration grew as each attack broke down in the final third. Not the start we all dreamed of for the boys in blue but in the words of 90s pop sensation D:REAM “Things Can Only Get Better”  and rest assured because for the mighty History FC I’m sure they will.

Neil Davies, History FC Vice-Captain, Social Sec and Welsh Rep