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