Match report v Hulme Hall

Match Report
History FC 5-0 Hulme Hall
Five Star History hammer Hulme Hall to continue their title challenge apace. Normal service was resumed for History FC this Wednesday at the Estadio D’elle Wythenshawe as the title challengers bounced back from a disappointing weekend cup defeat with their customary panache and vigour. Captain/Manager/Tactical genius Dan Bunter came in for severe criticism from all quarters of the Wythenshawe press pack this weekend following the controversial cup defeat.  He chose to rest a number of key players in protest of the recent fixture build-up his team has faced citing the pressure on him from the History Administrator to prioritise other competitions as a key factor in his team selection. This decision may have devalued the magic of the cup ever further but it was soon vindicated for the fans of the History boys.
A fresh, fit History team playing in an unusual 4-3-1-2 formation tore into Hulme Hall in a whirlwind of light blue and mismatching shorts and socks from the first whistle. Early domination of possession soon paid dividends as midfield dynamo Tom Glover rifled against the bar from 18 yards. Shortly after a typically slick History move would result in goalscorer extraordinaire Joel Standerwick adding to his impressive season tally of 14 thus far.  A second would soon follow as the SAS partnership swung into full motion and Henry Scanlan grabbed his first goal of the afternoon with a neat finish. There would be a third before half time as a great interchange between the effervescent Tom Russell and Scanlan resulted in the headbanded marksman rifling home past the hapless Hulme ‘keeper. In the midst of all this action the referee somehow contrived to miss a truly horrific foul on Tom Glover who bravely soldiered on after the challenge in the corner by the Hulme man. History went in at half time with an extremely comfortable and deserved lead over the poor Hulme side.
The second half started slowly for the men in blue, with a sense History hubris as they let Hulme back into the game with a series of sloppy fouls that resulted in dangerous free-kicks for the opposition. One of which drew a flying save from Josh Scott in the History goal, a right wrist so strong that this reporter has begun to wonder what he does in his spare time. However, the Hulme revival was short lived as a foul on Scanlan gave penalty specialist Will Kelly the chance to extend the lead. A chance which was duly taken by the centre back as he showed a coolness under pressure only evident in men who have the experience of taking penalties in Australia on a year abroad. The game began to peter out as chance after chance went begging in a match that was becoming incredibly one sided towards the end of the second half. And despite his best efforts to the contrary Scanlan would hit the back of the net once more and claim the match ball, a hat-trick and a big win were secured. A result and a performance which keeps the pressure up on table-toppers Economics as the race to Division 1 begins to heat up.
From your long suffering reporter,
Neil Davies

Match Report v Ashburne & Sheavyn

History FC 4-0 Ashburne & Sheavyn

The never-ending winter break was finally over. Two cancellations proved frustrating as History FC sought to recommence their take on the beautiful game, which has thus far taken South Manchester by storm.

For vice-captain Neil Davies, the crisp cold February morning started with a phone call wake-up by captain Dan Bunter, as Neil had clearly enjoyed his shenanigans of the night before so much, leaving him to sleep through the 9:15 meet up. Neil’s eventual arrival did however trump the debatable ‘illness’ of Nathan Bennett, who having surrendered himself to delights of Satans Hollow and was rendered incapable of performing to the best of his ability. Not to worry, History had 11 players available to face Ashburne in the Shield third round game.

Buoyed by the renaissance of former captain Lewis Ryder, the first big-name British signing in Chinese football, the team sought another a win to add the impressive 13 game unbeaten run.

The team settled quickly, with SAS proving too good for the Ashburne defence as Joel Standerwick carefully slotted in from inside the penalty area. The second followed soon after, as captain Bunter intercepted an Ashburne throw-in to set up Standerwick for his well-taken brace. Although comfortable and never in danger of conceding, it was clear the team was a bit rusty, which is no surprise considering a lengthy winter break and the testing conditions of a muddy pitch. Tom Glover was unlucky not to score a screamer from 25 yards, sadly his off-balance poise meant his shot resembled more of a slap, as it ballooned over the goal. It was one-way traffic, and a bit more ruthlessness in front of goal could have enabled double figures at half-time.

A third goal came in the second half, with a trademark Tom Russell leap from a Bunter corner, heading into a gaping opposition goal. It was Russell who also neatly finished off the fourth goal following an effort off the crossbar from the tenacious Henry Scanlan, who was particularly unlucky not to get on the score sheet. This was Russell’s fourth goal in 2 games, proving his early season doubters wrong, by underlining his goal scoring potential. Indeed, it has been muted on social media that following such form that ‘Tom Russell is having a party’, what a party that would be.

The intensity of the game fizzled out in the second half, as Ashburne were no match for the ‘boys in blue’. Certainly a good game to ease back in after the winter break, and the team looks forward to a quarter-final clash with league rivals BA Econ on the #RoadToArmitage.

The league, weather permitting, should return on Wednesday with a Cup game next Saturday against Division One side Chemical Engineering, who will for sure be a tougher test than the feeble Ashburne.

Another day, another win. The treble is still on.

Dan Bunter