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