Classics stir it up for the Witches ......................................
The match was evenly balanced for the opening stages with few chances, and a tough midfield battle ensued. In the 20th minute, a lovely through ball from Alfie Deglan found Jimmy Butler who's 'shoot on sight' sense took over. The ball hit the keeper who fumbled the ball and Butler gratefully retrieved it and walked it into the net for the opener. The match could still have gone either way and a rousing forward thrust from Rick Geary with ten minutes of the first half remaining saw him get as far as the penalty box where he clashed with a defender. The defender thought it was a brick wall and ended up bundled over in a heap which resulted in a free kick to the visitors. The first half was a lack lustre affair, although Dave Moore did kick a ball off the line near the conclusion of the half, with little to get enthusiastic about and the 1-0 half time lead was just about right going off the balance of play.

    

The pace of the second half was much better with the Classics going on attack direct from the whistle. Gordie Macklin made a great left wing run in the fifth minute and laid the ball inside to Warren Crowley who planted the ball low to the left of the keeper to make the scoreline 2-0. An attack from West Coast saw them get a rare shot on goal. It beat Dean Herbert, who was again having a great game, but Pat Rohla was on hand to head the ball off the line for a corner. The resultant corner kick gave the visitors a glorious chance to pull one back but an attacker blasted the ball wide of the right hand upright. Midway through the second half Fisher Crockett was involved in a dangerous clash with one of the opposition and play was halted until he recovered. He was escorted from the field to a rapturous round of applause from the watching fans.

    

With 20 minutes of play remaining Gino Nonni scored a goal from an acute angle. The watching throng thought that the ball had gone into the side netting but it had actually sneaked along the line and into the far net for an unexpected, but very welcome, goal to make it 3-0. Minutes later W. Crowley found himself with just the goalie to beat and the whole net to aim for; he blasted the ball well wide in an action which came back to haunt him at the end of the match (see crap award below). With 15 minutes to go a right wing centre from Butler was powered home with a brave diving header from Nonni who bagged his brace in fine style. The goal would have graced any football field at any level. In the last five minutes Butler had a long range effort which looked harmless enough but it almost sneaked into the corner of the net and the visiting keeper did well to push it away for a corner with a dive to his right. Danny Jensen had a great game at the heart of the defence with some good defending and distribution and special mention should be given to Lorenzo Arcari who put in a determined second half which spurred on the team. Herbert accrued his third successive shut out which is testament to the defence and the midfield in front of them.

Final Score: Classics 4 West Coast Auto/Witch of Endor 0 (1-0)

Stats
MWG: J. Butler
Crap award: W. Crowley
AN Other: G. Nonni
Team Photographer: T. Short
Empty beer can man: Kenny
Empty beer can man sponsor: R. Geary