Match Report v MACE

Match Report 18/11/15
MACE FC 0-3 History FC
History FC win again, its nine games on the bounce now for our title chasing heroes in light blue. On a typically wet Mancunian afternoon the History boys proved that they most definitely could do it on cold, Wednesday afternoon in Wythenshawe. There were some pre-match doubts as to whether the game would go ahead as planned or be postponed following the arrival of Storm Barney on our shores. However, we live in the rainy paradise that is Manchester a place where a torrential downpour and a boggy pitch are ideal conditions for a proper game of football. Game on.
There was early drama in the pre-match warmup as news filtered through to Sky sources that lusciously locked duo Henry Scanlan and Tom Russell would miss kick-off and History would have to start the game with only 10 men. Disaster then truly struck when centre back Patrick Harvey mysteriously found canine faeces all over his lovely white coat. Why he put it there we do not know, each to their own I suppose and this reporter is certainly not a man to judge what another man chooses to do with dog poo. Once the initial shock of this incident had blown over the game could finally begin.
Early on History FC asserted their usual dominance over proceedings and looked the more superior team throughout the opening exchanges. However, this dominance was not matched by chances and goals as the poor weather conditions halted the men in blue playing the ‘History Way™’. MACE also looked short of ideas and quality early on despite being captained by former Brazil international Dante, the Brazilian has fallen on hard times since his best days at Bayern Munich but I suppose losing 7-1 to Germany in a home world cup will do that to a man. Although it is nice to see he is still playing and apparently getting a degree in Aerospace Engineering as well, good for him.
A sloppy first half was eventually brought to life with some quick thinking from the late arrival Henry Scanlan who took advantage with a quick free-kick and slotted the ball through to midfielder Nathan Bennett. Bennett galloped along the soft to very soft in places turf and produced an extremely cool finish to beat the MACE goalkeeper. The crowd erupted and the famous chant of ‘One nil to the History!’ echoed around the Stadio d’ Wythenshawe. The opener was soon followed by a second, this time from Scanlan. A true thunderbastard of a goal hit on the run into the opposite top corner. A goal of such pure quality and genius that most people who witnessed it did not truly understand what had just happened. Most of the fans and players present thought it had been a double ricochet off the sliding Dante onto Scanlan’s shin that had looped over the keeper with a helping hand from the wind. However, this reporter will take Henry’s word on what happened as he seems like an honest enough chap to me and who am I to doubt him. So it was a thunderbastard of a goal. End of.
Onto the second half and it was more of the same for History as confidence grew and the football improved with the wind behind them. Lots of chances were being created by the free flowing football History, somehow the ‘History Way™’ was prevailing on the swamp formerly known as a football pitch and to great effect. However, someone had left all the shooting boots at home and chance after chance was wasted by the men in blue. That was until a lung-bursting run from midfielder Tom Glover left him clean through on goal and the rumoured lovechild of Justin Rose and Andre Schurrle finished crisply into the bottom corner. Game over. With the cherry on the History FC cake of a first league clean sheet for reserve ‘keeper Josh Scott, a satisfying afternoon’s work for all in light blue.
Another Wednesday, another win and as the History Boys stared up into the rainbow above them they began to wonder if maybe just maybe they would reach the Pot of Gold at the end of the campus league rainbow ahead of them that is promotion to the promised land of Division 1.
Your Faithful Reporter,
Neil Davies.

Match report v St Anselm and Canterbury Court 1s (Plate)

History FC 4-1 St Anselm & Canterbury Court 1s

History FC overcame a player shortage crisis to get their plate campaign off to a flyer. St Anselm & Canterbury Court 1’s were on the receiving end of a comfortable 4-1 victory despite the absence of both the captain and vice captain. As Division 3 leaders, the opposition had the potential to pose a stern test to the History boys, however there was never a hint of complacency as they did a professional job.

Will Kelly admirably stepped up to the role of leading the team, who adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation with two late recruits slotting in at left back and central midfield. The new captain was aided by goalkeeper Josh Scott’s return to full health and fitness, although by his own admission he was still drunk from the previous night. This was clear for everyone to see as the only danger to the History FC goal in the first half was Scott’s ambitious attempt at a Cruyff turn around an onrushing striker near to his own goal line. The ball was just about scrambled clear, and after an evenly fought first ten minutes the boys in blue began to take full control of the game.

Joe Blewett slipped in Joel Standerwick to hammer a low drive beyond the reach of the SACC keeper, before Henry Scanlan was practically assaulted inside the box. Captain Kelly stepped up to do the honours from the spot, converting his second penalty inside the space of a week. History continued to press and probe without really needing to push the game and took a comfortable 2-0 lead into half time.

They wasted no time putting the game to bed after the break, Standerwick drilling home after SACC failed to clear a corner. Shortly after some superb pressing from the front four forced a defensive error and the ball broke for Scanlan on the inside right of the box. Simply chipping the ball over the keeper is far too mainstream for Scanlan, who expertly and deliberately smashed the ball into the ground, and it bounced over the keeper and in.

SACC’s only real spell of pressure came in the last ten minutes with a series of corners eventually resulting in a sliced finish into the net, cueing Scott’s remonstrations that he would have saved it had he had better fingertips on his gloves. Overall a comfortable victory for History FC who will look to carry their good form into some important forthcoming league games!

Joe Blewett

Match Report v Medics Albion (Cup) and Hulme Hall

 Match Report: Medics Albion (Cup) and Hulme Hall

History FC have continued their fine form over the last few weeks and are currently second in Division 2 and have progressed into the second round of the cup. The opposition during the reading week had conceded so the team were awarded a walk-over.

History FC 9-0 Medics Albion (Cup) 31/10/15

Last week the cup campaign started with a ‘hallowin’ against Medics Albion who are towards the bottom end of Division 4. The early Saturday morning wake-up call was a shock to the system for some of our squad, none more so than striker Joel Standerwick who missed the 9 o’clock Sainsbury’s car park meet and was only awoken thanks to the recent update to Facebook Messenger which allows you make a phone call. Despite being deeply hungover, Joel ‘Scores When He Wants’ Standerwick delivered 4 goals for the team on the way to a 9-0 victory. The opposition were poor and the team capitalised, creating numerous chances and the score could and should have been double figures. Scott Doherty scored his first goal for History FC with a fine run from inside the defensive half, reminding us all of a young Damien Duff with his balance and poise. Joe Blewett also opened his History FC account with a brace of ‘fox in the box’ finishes. Captain Dan Bunter also scored with a fine thirty-yard strike, leaving the opposition keeper rooted and reminded the fans of his venomous striking ability. It was a comprehensive victory for the team, progressing through to the second round, indeed there were to be no nightmares on Halloween this year.

History FC 6-1 Hulme Hall 11/11/15

The team continued their fine scoring form with another comprehensive victory in the league, scoring 6 goals with 6 different scorers. The day started with the devastating news that goalkeeper Josh Scott had suffered a traumatic night’s sleep and in his words: ‘no way I’m playing today guys…feel absolutely shit’. The team was rocked and looked for divine intervention to solve the keeper crisis, luckily however, History FC loyalist Neil Davies stood up to fill the void in goal; this was a relief particularly after Neil’s heroics in the 1-0 victory against UMCC FC.

The conditions were not favourably, dark, windy and a sticky pitch meant it was difficult to play ‘The History FC Way’ in the first half. Despite this, the team were dominant creating numerous chances for the returning SAS strike force. Joel Standerwick continued his form scoring with a fine finish and the team lead 1-0 at half time, which was thoroughly deserved considering the team were attacking into the wind.

3 quick goals in the second half made the result beyond doubt, with a cool Henry Scanlan finish and a well-struck free kick from Captain Dan Bunter into the top-right corner of the goal. Perhaps goal of the game goes to Tom Russell who scored his first of the season. Despite his tenacious play and vivacious attitude to the game, the media pressure had started to build on Russell who had missed plenty of guilt-edged chances in previous games. His tenacity was key to the goal however, after following up from a chance the defender on the goal line thought he had time to clear the ball; little did he know of the blonde bombshell that was headed his way, with Russell slide tackling the defender causing the ball to rifle into the net. A well-deserved goal from the Bournemouth Boy. Two more goals followed, a well-placed Will Kelly penalty and another poacher finish from Joe Blewett.

So another victory for the team, confidence is high having scored 24 goals in the last 5 games. The team are currently 2^nd in the league behind BA Econ who have won all of their games thus far; the sky cameras will certainly be down for the return fixture on December 9^th. The team starts their plate campaign this Saturday against Division 3 leaders St Anselm & Canterbury Court 1’s. Let’s keep up the great form!

Here is the link to the league tables, fixtures and results: http://campussportmanchester.sportpad.net/leagues/view/802/224

Dan Bunter