Classics beat Aces with their trump card......
This match was a walk over for the Classics even though the score-line was a miserly 1-0. Had it been a boxing match it would have surely been stopped on points after two rounds, such was the dominance of the home side. The Langley Aces had their giant 6’-6” goalkeeper to thank on many occasions for keeping the score respectable.

The Classics started at a blistering pace and had several early chances to take the lead but efforts by Billy Ranger, Chris Arcari and Alfie Deglan were all wanting. Centres were coming over like clay pigeons from both flanks after good work from Mike Snow on the left and Doug Smith on the right. Ray Marrington and Ranger in the middle must have thought they were watching a Wimbledon tennis final and I’m sure that when they got subbed it was for sore necks rather than football injuries.

Stand-in goalkeeper Tony Short was more of a standing goalkeeper as he was a virtual spectator throughout the match, although he did all that was asked of him when needed. In fact, his most dangerous moment was in the first half when a corner was cleverly and delicately passed back to Larry Thorlakson by Dave Moore. Thorlakson was marking the post and the quick thinking full back hoofed the ball to safety leaving Short and a few of the other Classics players thinking that the Moore-Thorlakson move was not planned!

The all important goal came in the 18th. minute from the Classics trump card, Ranger. Taking a pass from Deglan wide on the left, Ranger turned quickly and hit a neat left foot shot from 20 yards which whistled across the face of the goal before hitting the net off the inside of the right hand post. A fast piece of thinking on his behalf and one which left the opposing keeper bemused by the sheer speed of the goal.

With the luxury of six substitutes the Classics made many changes and Chuck McGill was given a free roaming midfield role in the second half, one which he relished. Unfortunately for the Classics there were no more goals to be had and Langley must be given some credit for keeping the score down to one. Short was never troubled and in honesty the Aces were lucky to get none.

Stats:
"You Were Crap" award: R. Marrington