No Peace for the Arch........

With Chuck McGill being especially flown in from England for this game against their old sparring partners, Peace Arch, it was an eagerly awaited game especially as last weeks game was postponed due to inclement weather. The Classics had some reshuffling to do with some players absent through injury. Bruce Cook was dropped into the back line, a move apparently made because he equalled the all time goalscoring record with Jim Eden in the last game and Jim got worried! The weather was kind and it was Peace Arch who kicked off to get the game underway.

The Classics had taken the lead within the first five minutes. A left wing Eden corner was headed goalwards at the far post by McGill. The ball hit the post, bounced out and went in off the back leg of a Peace Arch defender. The 'goal jury' had to be called to review the incident on the video replay. After careful consideration of the 'own goal' Jimmy Hill decided that the goal was almost a carbon copy of the Nick Harrison goal for Chasetown against Oldham Athletic and the goal was therefore awarded to McGill, his first of the season. (Ed's comment - The things you have to do so the English folk think that Chuck is a good player!)

The game progressed with Peace Arch doing their best to ruffle a few feathers but the Classics held firm and were giving better than they were receiving. Eden was suffering with an eye complaint and was having difficulty seeing, well that's what he said after he fluffed a chance in the 15th. minute and hit the ball with his knee rather than his left boot. There were chances at both ends with Garry Hackel dealing competently with all the Arch could throw at him.

The Classics were two up in the 35th. minute when a bad goal kick from the Arch keeper landed with his centre back. Eden, in poaching mood, relieved the defender of the ball and went on to carry the ball just into the box from where he placed a delightful shot wide of the keeper for his first goal of the season, and the Classics second. The half time score was 2-0 to the home team.

The second half was end to end but with chances few and far between. Manfred Soucker was unlucky on a couple of occasions and the game turned more into a midfield battle with neither team able to get on the scoresheet. The deadlock was broken yet again with another first of the season. A left wing move and centre by Soucker was hit on the volley by Larry Thorlakson and his effort gave the visiting keeper no chance as he put the Classics three goals to the good. It was Thorlaksons first goal of the season (this is getting repetitive) (this is getting repetitive) (this is getting repetitive).

Peace Arch put on the pressure and pulled back a goal with 15 minutes remaining when the the Classics went to sleep. Thorlakson brought down an Arch player near the edge of the box, an act which resulted in him receiving a yellow card. From the resulting kick the home defence stood statuesque as an Arch player stole in and scored a fine goal to bring the visitors some respectability. A penalty appeal by the visitors was then turned down and then Chris Arcari followed Thorlakson into the referee's book for another foul.

The final ten minutes saw the unusual pairing of Dave Moore and Doug Smith up front and it brought back fond memories of Keegan and Toshack from the great Liverpool team of old. Soucker laid on a great chance for Smith but he made a hash of it and the chance went sadly begging. Five minutes from time the ball was in the net again. Another good move by Soucker ended with a left wing run and shot which left the Peach Arch goalie scrambling. Moore rushed in to hammer the ball home but was disappointed to see that the referee had taken his binoculars out from the other end of the field and ruled the effort out for a dubious offside decision. It would probably have counted had it been Moore's first goal of the season! It would also have been a fitting tribute and would have reflected a score that would have been more realistic considering the amount of possession had by the Classics.

Rumour has it that "Right Said Fred" were offering odds on the game and that the Lindley Liberal Club were running a book on the outcome of this result. Remember that the club take 20% commission from all bets. Payment is accepted by Visa, Mastercard, PayPal and carrier pigeons who live in Huddersfield. This game was the 60th. that the Classics have gone undefeated in the league so the odds had better be high for a home victory in next weeks visit to Richmond to face Giant Panda.

Final Score 3-1 (2-0)

Stats:
Yellow cards: L. Thorlakson, C. Arcari
You were crap award: D. Moore