Honours even... Frenetic pace was the order of the day and a left wing break in the 7th minute saw the Classics take the lead in fine style. Jerry Szakun got the ball rolling with a pass to Alan Massender who sent over a tantilising centre which eventually fell at the feet of Pat O'Krane. Unlike his previous experiences, this time O'Krane decided to put the ball under the bar and he executed his shot with enough precision for it to ricochet into the net from the underside of the bar. It was just the start the home side needed. Two minutes later a Gordie Macklin effort was unlucky as it hit the intersection of the post and the crossbar and bounced to safety. Transit countered in the 10th minute but their effort bounced off Massender for a corner kick. The Classics were taking the game to the opposition and some good build-up play ended with Sherman Foster as the next player to witness a shot deflect away for a corner. The corner kick, executed by Randy Hosler, came out to Macklin who sent a powerful chip towards the top right angle of the goal but the keeper made a fine save to deprive him from increasing the lead. With five minues of the half remaining O'Krane was let loose for a one-one-one but his goalbound effort was deflected over the bar by a retreating defender - it could have and should have been 2-0. A penalty appeal was vehemently waved away by the referee after Brian Griffiths was blatently scythed down in the box but the referee didn't 'see it' so he declined the justified spot kick. The half ended with the Classics having the majority of the play and chances but they could only walk in with a slender 1-0 advantage.

Daryl Lawrie was the first player of the second half with an effort on goal but it went direct into the keeper's hands. The defence went to sleep in the 54th minute and Transit took full advantage by levelling the scores with a low shot to the right that gave Jason Clegg no chance of saving. Another excellent corner kick by Hosler in the 58th minute looked like sneaking home after a powerful header by O'Krane was heading into the bottom left corner but a defender somehow managed to deflect the ball to the wrong side of the post for the Classics liking. Transit upped the pressure and Clegg was called into action to keep the scores level when he dived to his left to deflect s goalbound effort. Another good save minutes later proved the athleticism of Clegg as he defied the odds to make another great save. The Classics countered and another shot by Macklin was cannoned onto the post and away to safety. The 71st minute witnessed another finger-tip save from Clegg who was starting to steal the show - it's a good job he didn't cut his finger nails before the match or he may not have saved some of the barrage of goal-bound shots which were continually thrown at him. Transit were slowly taking a grip of the game and yet another save by Clegg kept the home side in the game. His only flaw came as a moment of inconsistency from Gene Crowley saw him scrambling to reach a back-pass but he slipped as the supporters had their hearts in their mouths but he recovered sufficiently to crown a remarkable display of goalkeeping prowess. As he made about seven spectacular saves he feels that it was redemption for the last time the two teams clashed earlier in the season. Not only was he fiery on top of his head but he was fiery in the nets!

To sum up, the game was a tale of two halves. It was an entertaining encounter from two well matched sides and there were plenty of chances at both ends of the field. It would not have shock the spectators had the final result been a 6-6 draw. It was also a pleasure to see so many injured/retired players at the match to support their teammates. ie. Jimmy Butler, Steve Palmer, Tony Short and Larry Thorlakson.

Stats
Crap Award: Sherman Foster (because he covets it so much he wouldn't return it)