All hands to the pump... It was a case of the walking wounded taking to the field for the trip to Britannia. With several players on holiday and many dropping out through injury, the Classics had a line up of just 14 players, two of whom were playing through their injuries. The match kicked off with both teams vying for supremacy. The Classics were dealt an early blow with David Breen having to leave the field limping with less than 10 minutes gone so it was a case of reshuffling the pack to get a defensive line up. Brian Griffiths sacrificed his midfield role to slot into the left back position. An early run down the right by Dave Moore brought a goalscoring opportunity from his centre but Gordie Macklin was wrong-footed and dummied the ball to run through for Willie Dixon who couldn't take full advantage. The visitors did take the lead however in the 20th minute when Pat O'Krane played the ball through to Jeff Dickson who, two yards from goals, hesitated slightly before controlling the ball to slot it home. The remainded of the half was comfortably dealt with by the Classics who went in at half time with the one goal advantage. O'Krane had several chances to increase the lead but was dreadfully unlucky as his efforts hit the post twice, one was fingertipped onto the crossbar and one was an O'Krane special which had the aviation authorites on drone alert!

The second half was a similar story with keeper Jason Clegg having a relatively easy time after last weeks heroics. He was called upon to 'sweep' in several instances which he did with efficiency but Britannia rarely troubled him and any saves he had to make were relatively simple. With about 15 minutes remaining, the Classics increased the lead after a free kick was awarded just inside the opposing half. Randy Hosler drove over a teasing ball to the back post which O'Krane rose to meet and he powered a decisive header across the face of the goal, beyond the keepers reach, and into the far corner of the net. It was the just the clincher that the Classics needed. The game came to life in the last minute when the referee awarded a free kick inside the box for obstruction. He instructed the Classics players to stand on the goal line for the kick but Hosler chose to question the decision and asked for the referee to pace out the regulation 10 yards. He replied that he had already paced it out but Hosler's hostility resulted in him being sin-binned. Don't ask Randy how big six inches is though! Breen was asked to return to the field as a substitute and seven minutes later he had managed to hobble over to the goal line. The indirect free kick was taken and played back to a Britannia attacker who rifled a shot high into the net which was impossible to be reached by defenders or keeper. The final whistle was blown immediately after the ball entered the net. It was a shame to lose the shut out after some stern defending, particularly one block by Sherman Foster's backside - it was like hitting a barn door! However, the result was a correct reflection of the play and the Classics had managed to grind out a result under trying circumstances.

The management was very impressed with the gift of a set of 'Dream Nails' from Gordie Macklin after the make-up video had been observed, earlier in the week. "I'm well chuffed with that," said Dave.

Stats
MWG: Pat O'Krane
Sin Bin: Randy Hosler
Crap Award: Alan Massender