A trip to Beach Grove is always a daunting task for the Classics but they were assured that the pitch was playable if everybody stomped the tyre tracks down, kindly left after some idiot was testing his four-wheel drive out on the field before the game. Where are Chuck's boots when you need them? He could have done it on his own in less than a minute. The game began with the Classics having the better of the early pressure and they deservedly took the lead in the seventh minute from a free kick on the edge of the area. Chris Arcari set the ball down and was looking to do a "Dave Moore" but an encroaching player put paid to that little plan. However, Danny Jensen, obviously enlightened by the devious proceedings, ran up and smacked his kick low through the wall and into the net, albeit off the keepers gloves. It was a shot learned from the master.

On the quarter hour the Classics were two up and it was that man Jensen again who did the damage. A through ball from Rick Geary dissected the United defence and sent Jensen off on a run which he finished with fine aplomb when he hit a powerful shot low and to the right of the home goalkeeper. It seems the defenders have to show the forwards how to score these days!

  

The remainder of the half was evenly balanced and United pulled a goal back in the 42nd. minute when the right winger cut in and powered a chest high shot across the face of the goal and into the net. Garry Hackel had not had much to do but, had he been more alert, may have got his hands to the shot to save or deflect the effort. However, the goal brought the game to life and with a one goal deficit the home side again had confidence.

The second half kicked off and the ball was in the net within the first minutes. Arcari was stationed about 10 yards out from goal and when the ball landed to him he hit a glorious left foot volley which sailed high above the diving keeper and into the roof of the net to reclaim the two goal cushion. Shots were raining in from all over now and Arcari was unlucky when a similar volley tested the goalkeeper but failed to beat the crossbar. A comedy interlude was to follow after a break away from Billy Ranger sent him haring into the opposing half. The referee blew for off-side and Ranger rightly stopped but Bruce Cook did not hear the whistle and told Ranger to continue. Ranger put himself into overdrive once again only to be stopped again by a second whistle. Then Geary was dreadfully unlucky when a great shot in the 63rd. minute was tipped over for a corner by the overworked home keeper. The resulting corner from the left by Jim Eden was bounced around the six yard box like a ball in a pinball machine but just before the 'tilt' light came on Arcari was on hand to toe punt the fourth goal for the visitors.

  

The Classics were awarded a penalty in the 70th. minute after a fracas which resulted in Alfie Deglan getting a boot up the jacksie by an irate home player who was immediately shown the red card. It was appropriate that he was sent of, otherwise he may have had to be carried off the field after such an unsporting gesture. Hackel was called upon to take the resultant penalty shot but his effort was as weak as water. You could just see what was going through his mind as he traipsed his way back to his goalmouth with his tail between his legs - "Why don't they shoot them like that at me? Hey, I'm unreal!" Ten minutes from time Ranger set up Eden who's left foot shot from 10 yards gave the efficient looking, and hard working United keeper not a hope of saving it.

  

Jensen had to retire from the game with a pulled muscle and Ray Marrington was called away for 'burger duties' so the Classics reverted to a centre back pairing that was so successful several seasons ago, with Eden sweeping behind Moore. In reality, United didn't have much more to offer as one player had to leave and, as a result of their red card, they played the final few minutes with ten men. Larry Thorlakson made his best tackle of the game in this period when he sent Moore flying and he ended up like a piece of tumbleweed blowing across the field. It was not an accomplished performance and there were mistakes but the Classics were good enough to eek out another victory and build up their goal difference in the process.

Final Score 1-5 (1-2)

Stats:
Penalty Miss: G. Hackel
You were crap award: J. Butler