This was a cross-over game, contested by a team from the over 50s and a team from the over 55s, both teams having an official bye for the day. It was a case of upping the game for the Classics; by having to face a younger team and particularly after the debacle of last week... and step up to the plate they did. Under the tutelage of the Banda della Comasina, the Classics began the game in fine style by playing a great passing game which surrendered little possession to the opposition. The first chance came as early as the first minute after Jimmy Butler combined well with Wayne Ferguson to put the latter on route for goal. Unfortunately, his attempt on goal was well wide of the upright. The first corner for the Classics came in the 15th minute. Pat Rohla took the kick and after some bobbling about in the goal mouth if fell to Gordie Macklin who unleashed an O'Krane shot - no further explanation necessary. Pat O'Krane tried a shot minutes later but he couldn't manage an 'O'Krane' as his shot on goal went for a throw in!
A break down the left side culminated with a centre from Ferguson which was somehow headed away from the goal instead of towards the goal by Daryl Lawrie, who had tried to stretch his neck like a giraffe, without a lot of success. The home side took the lead on the half hour mark after the ball landed at the feet of Ferguson who, in a preposterous movement which confused all, especially the visiting keeper, somehow managed to loop the ball over the keeper from close range and into the net. The Classics had their tails up. However, five minutes from the half time whistle, a right wing manoeuver left Dave Moore chasing his winger when he should have been watching him sail onto the Denny Ross field. The attacher was left with a simple chip over the head of Jason Clegg, which he did competently. Moore takes full responsibility! The score was 1-1 at the half.
The third minute of the second half almost brought rewards as Ferguson took the ball and shot. The ball bounced back off the keeper but nobody was there to take advantage. It should have been 2-1 in the 67th minute after a Butler shot was parried by the keeper and it fell to Jeff Dickson, one yard out. He hit the ball straight at the keeper and it bounced back to him; he then had a second bite of the cherry and he hit that straight at the keeper again, but this time he caught it. if only Dickson could have had another rebound he may have been able to pop the cherry but it was not to be. The match was a good end to end battle now with the Classics just slightly edging the play. The match winner came just three minutes from the final whistle and it arrived in uncharacteristic manner. It came after the ball was lunged goalwards towards the near post and the keeper. Lawrie was in and around the area making himself a nuisance to the keeper. As the ball came in, Lawrie attemped an audacious back-heel. He missed the ball but a defender came sliding in, attempting to clear the ball. However, he was only successful in poking the ball past his own keeper for an own goal. The match was played in good spirit by both teams and the result was thoroughly deserved by the Classics who really put in a shift against their younger opponents.
Stats
MWG: OG
Crap Award: Jeff Dickson