Classics eek out a win........
It was raining; it was cold; the Classics managed to cobble a side together after several weeks of uncertainty, and cancelled games due, to a shortage of players. It was a welcome return from long term injury for Lorenzo Arcari and it was a welcome back to Gino Nonni who has re-signed for the club. The return of Robbie Keam and Alan Massender was also a boost after their recent Shirley Valentine tryst on the isle of Maui. To compound matters the referee arrived late and the game was delayed by 5 minutes. When it did finally get underway the first effort was a well wide shot from Gordie Macklin after he had been laid on by Darryl Lawrie. Robbie Keam put Macklin away again in the eighth minute but again his effort was woefully wide of the mark. Massender was finding it hard to get back into the swing as his mind was still on the beach, but he slowly made more of a mark as the half progressed after his buddy, Keam, was sent to the sin bin after 20 minutes when he said something inappropriate to the over-officious referee. Gene Crowley, usually the epitomy of calmness, then picked up his first ever yellow card, again for disagreeing with another wayward refereeing decision. There was little action and few scoring chances at either end and the teams left the field with a 0-0 half time score - both teams being lucky to score none!

As the teams reentered the field Pat Rohla was heard to remark, "Show Chuck!" to which one wag replied, "How could he not show?" The first real action of the second half was a corner from Pat Rohla which was nodded on by L. Arcari to Keam who's effort hit the keeper. Macklin blasted over the bar minutes later and then went on a dazzling run, beat three players, but instead of shooting he squared the ball into open space. Chris Arcari fell foul to injury, yet again, and had to leave the field not to return for the second consecutive match. The crucial breakthrough came soon after. A high ball was sliced by an Inter defender over the heads of the centre backs and Lawrie was on it like a shot. He cut the ball back for Macklin who had the relatively simple task to stroke the ball home past the keeper on the line. It was the match winner and a milestone for Macklin, as he now ties Dave Moore's record for match winning goals. Inter had a rare break and a chance to get one back soon after the goal but a great sliding save from Judd Boxtart kept the danger at bay. Another attack from the visitors, near the end of the match, resulted in three successive shots; one hit the upright; the rebound hit the bar; and the final shot was straight at our own Svengoalie who's reactions were sharp enough to snuff out any horror show. They should have equalised. It wasn't pretty but the home side did just enough to secure a useful three points against a well organised team who gave their all to entertain.

The after match banter centred around pizza, intrigue, love and jealousy!
ps. Bryan - if you are not informed otherwise, the game is on.

Final Score: Classics 1 Inter 0 (0-0)

Stats
MWG: Gordie Macklin
Sin bin: Robbie Keam
Yellow Card: Gene Crowley
You were crap award: Robbie Keam