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.