The Classics visited Chilliwack for the second time this season, the third encounter of a different kind. The visitors won the toss and asked the advice of keeper Garry Hackel for the way to kick. Hackel replied, "as we are" ..... "unless you want to go with the wind." As the wind was blowing sideways, they chose to play with the wind at their backs and across the field for a change.

It was all Chilliwack in the opening fifteen minutes as the Classics were penned back in their own half. Passes were going astray by both teams which negated any distinct advantage but the home side did have the better of the early exchanges. When the Classics let their game settle, they brought on three substitutes and seemed to settle into a more familiar pattern. Jimmy Butler had been trying to go it alone up front and was just lacking his usual clinical finishing touches. Bill McAuley was laying deeper and the midfield were struggling to get any rhythm going. The first chance of the game fell to Chris Arcari in the 20th. minute when he connected to head a left wing corner but the effort was comfortably handled by the Chilliwack keeper who didn't even have to move to make the save.

The rest of the half was played in midfield with little or no goalmouth incidents and neither keeper was troubled at either end of the field. "Twiggy" Geary made a welcome return to the team after a long lay off through injury and his new found sleekness gave him more agility with the ball. The encounter was looking like it was heading for a goalless draw but the visitors took the lead in the 65th. minute after Arcari passed the ball to Pat Rohla on the right. Rohla centred to the far post where Butler was waiting to pounce and he hammered a powerful low shot to the left of the home keeper to give the Classics a great boost.

   

Five minutes later the lead was increased to two after Bill McAuley threaded the ball through to Rohla who was in the same spot as Butler was five minutes before. This time it was Rohla who fired a carbon copy goal again low to the left of the keeper. This was starting to look good for the visitors who were always aware that there are no easy games against Chilliwack. McAuley had a glorious chance to make it 3-0 but he fluffed his chance and the killer goal was not to be.

Ray Marrington had to retire from the game through injury so the Classics reformed their ranks to bring a return of the twin towers to the centre back positions. However, with 15 minutes remaining Chilliwack pulled back a goal after a shot eluded Hackel and went over his head and into the net to give the home side some hope of salvaging the match.

Larry Thorlakson was given his marching orders in the 83rd. minute after telling the referee to go away in sharp jerking movements, a comment he obviously took offence at as he showed The Axe the red card for his troubles. It's a good job that Larry's girls don't read these match reports as he would probably be totally embarrassed by the incident should they ever find out about it.

The Classics did hang on for a very useful win and it was again down to determination and that little bit of luck that all teams need. They probably deserved the win on the overall balance of play but Chilliwack were very gracious in their defeat as they even fed the Classics after the game. Cheers Chilliwack!

Final Score 1-2 (0-0)

Stats:
MWG: Pat Rohla
Red Card: Larry Thorlakson
You were crap award: Bill McAuley