Olympics get torched........
The visit of Richmond Olympics to Newton Athletic was one that the Classics were looking forward to. The Olympics are a good team, just promoted form the over 40’s, with a good record and it was going to be a good test of character on the turf field at Newton. The game started briskly on another cold day in the lower mainland, although it could have been classed as a heatwave after last weeks encounter at freezing Tssawwassen.

The Classics should have taken an early lead through Billy Ranger after a clever dummy from Alf Deglan put him in the clear. However, Ranger’s shooting boots let him down and the striker shot narrowly wide. Five minutes later it was Bruce Cooks turn to squander a chance when he shot high and over the bar. On the thirteen minute mark, a powerful run from Chuck McGill was halted when the referee inexplicably blew for off side after McGill had pushed the ball forward for himself to run on to. It was a bad mistake from the official but some of them are human.

Just before the 20 minute marker a through ball from Chris Arcari put Cook through one-on-one with the visiting keeper. Unfortunately, Cook screwed his shot wide and another chance went begging. Jim Eden entered the field of play with half an hour gone and he was immediately guilty of a glaring miss after a break away put him in the clear with just the keeper to beat. He shot just wide but blamed his bad finishing down to his new boot not being accustomed to the field. Hmmm....

With 35 minutes of the first half gone, the Classics took the lead. Unlike a trucker’s wife, Chris Arcari’s fondness of long distance driving was evident when he unleashed a howitzer from all of twenty yards. The shot cannoned back off the crossbar and Deglan was on hand to pick up the pieces. Deglan controlled the ball, feigned to his right and cleverly side footed the ball to the left past the advancing keeper for a fine goal.

Three minutes from the end of the first half the Classics got their second. This time it was a long range shot from Rick Geary. Eden intercepted a goal kick and played the ball inside to Deglan who moved the ball to Cook who then laid it off for Geary. Gearys effort from 20 yards hit the crossbar, bounced down onto the goal-line and the Russian linesman (whoops sorry - wrong game) awarded the goal. It was 1966 all over again for the Krauts on the team but the goal was legitimate enough for Geary to take the credit without an inquest.

The second half was played in good spirit with the home side clearly the dominating team and the scoreline could have been much worse or better, depending on who you were supporting. The Olympics were causing little concern for the strong Classics defence and it was no surprise when the Classics made it 3-0, ten minutes from time. This time it was Ranger who was put through, the outcome was inevitable, and he made no mistake as he cooly slotted past the keeper.

Dave Moore was replaced by Chas Jones and Ron Jennings was trying to explain how there was a conspiracy on the sidelines about how he was going to be "jerked off!" There was a minor flurry of activity in the Classics penalty box five minutes from the final whistle. The Olympics broke through and it took a great double save from Manny Soucker to preserve the shut out. In their only serious goal attempt Soucker was on hand to dive at the feet of an attacker and the rebounded ball was palmed away to alleviate any danger. In the end, the Classics held on for a fine 3-0 victory.

Final Score 3-0 (2-0)

Stats:
MWG: A. Deglan
Team photographer: T. Short
You were crap award: H. Erker