Serbs ya right ......................................
The Classics made their second visit of the season to Queens Park to visit Serbia on a cold and frosty day. The match began in a disasterous fashion when the home side took an unexpected lead. In a move reminiscent to the last match of last season at Essondale, when Dave Moore headed the ball backwards to an opposing attacker and he put the ball in the net. This time it was Moore in goals and it was Danny Jensen doing the heading. Moore, standing in as substitute keeper, came out to collect the ball on the edge of the area (and he takes full responsibility for not shouting) but Jensen's deft flick left him too far out of position and the attacker had the simple task of chipping the ball into the unguarded net. With no time for warm-ups before the game, Moore's first touch of the ball was when he picked it out of the net. It was an early Christmas present for Serbia!The remainder of the first half was spent with the visitors pushing for an equaliser. There were several opportunities to redress the balance but both teams left the field at half time with the Serbia goal still separating the two opponents.
The second half again saw the visitors doing all the pressing and their pressure was rewarded in the 60th minute when Sherman Foster bagged his first goal for the team. It came after a brilliant cross from Pat Rohla sailed over towards his head. Dazzled by the sun, the ball his the square part of von Foster's head and he looped a textbook header over the diving keeper to bring the teams level. All the action was happening in the Serbia end of the field with the home side being restricted to the odd break away which was competently dealt with by a resolute Classics defence. Time was starting to run out and the possibility of another draw was on the cards but that changed with ten minutes remaining. Constant pressure from the Classics midfield was having an effect on the Serbia back line and was gradually wearing them down like a bar of soap. Gordie Macklin latched onto a loose ball on the left side of the penalty box and he crossed it inside to the six yard box. Warren Crowley took up the running from there and he jinked through and tapped the ball home with his left boot to the bottom left of the goal. It turned out to be the winning goal and was W. Crowley's second successive match winning goal.
After match camaraderie:
"The movement up front was so bad in the first half that it looked like we were shipwrecked under the sea. Chuck felt at home as he looked like the great barrier reef." - G. Macklin
"I was bored so you came out of the box and went back into the box and went out of the box again. Then you tackled me, then the other guy got up but you were totally on the verge of control." - P. Rohla to D. Moore
"Second week in a row - they had one shot on goal and they scored one goal" - C. Arcari
"Gene got a pulled groin and Al gave him a rub. Gene went back on with a smile on his face" - P. Rohla
"I don't have or need a cell phone cause everything I need in my life is right here now!" - C. Aracri
"Pat's favourite song is....... Baa baa black sheep" - A. Massender
Final Score: Serbia 1 Classics 2 (1-0)
Stats
GK: D. Moore
MWG: W. Crowley
Crap award: G. Macklin
The team contained two 66 year old players (D. Moore & J. Eden)