Classics come unstuck........
This match witnessed the welcome return to action for Pat Rohla, who has been missing all season through injury. The game started brightly with both teams battling to keep a stranglehold on the game. Early pressure from the Classics saw efforts from Brian Griffiths and Gordie Macklin come to nothing. Transit were exerting lots of pressure from the right wing and it almost paid dividends in the fifth minute but the shot was well blocked by Larry Thorlakson who, recoved well from a falling position, to just do enough to stop a goal. The rebound was picked up by another Transit player who wellied it well over the bar. Griffiths had another attempt, after some good build-up work, in the 8th. minute but it went to the left of the upright. As the half wore on the game became more and more frenetic with both sides trying to take some advantage from the match. Jason Clegg was called to action in the 23rd. minute and he had to dive full length to tip a shot away for a corner. The visitors should have taken the lead on the half hour after a direct Macklin free kick struck the crossbar and bounced back into play; the bar was still rattling at Griffiths tried to fumble the ball over the line, before the melee was sorted out by the referee who awarded a free kick for some foul on the keeper that only he had seen. After the incident Macklin was seen to be shaking hands with one of the opposition before exchanging addresses for each other's Christmas card list. The pair eventually walked away from each other blowing kisses.

On 32 minutes Macklin centred for Jimmy Butler but he was chasing his headed attempt and couldn't generate enough power to trouble the home keeper. A minute later, Transit opened the scoring. Again, the danger came from the right wing and the ball was eventually crossed to a player at the back post who had the simple talk of knocking it over the line. In the 35th. minute Pat O'Krane, playing his 50th. match, was put away down the right from an intelligent ball from namesake Rohla but his final shot was wide of the mark. It was 2-0 with five minutes of the half remaining. A mix-up in defence left a Transit player in the right spot to tap the ball and watch it trickle over the line. Just on half time Jeff Dickson was yellow carded for arguing with the game official.

The Classics kicked off the second half which was strange as it appeared that they had kicked off the first half too! Nobody seemed to notice or bother. The game was getting feisty and the referee was brandishing cards like a croupier. It blew up a bit and Dickson was sent off in the 62nd minute for a foul after being shown a second yellow card. Minutes later the matter was redressed when a Transit player was also given his marching orders. Clegg had to be on his mark again in the 78th. minute when he again dived to his left to push a useful shot wide. Gene Crowley, The Quiet Man whom the 1952 romantic comedy, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara was named, was also involved in a confrontation for which received his first ever red card for the club, a direct red! This was the opportunity for him to do the 'double' as he was duly awarded the 'crap award' for the first time ever, directly after the game. It was quite a day for him and he rushed home to proudly display his trophy in the traditional way - on the mantlepiece - as the accompanying photo will confirm.

Chuck McGill was quick to praise the coaches on the day as he now realises just how difficult a job it is. He was heard to comment, "I believe it would have been a totally different game if I would have started that game."

Stats
Yellow Cards: Jeff Dickson (2)
Red Cards: Jeff Dickson, Gene Crowley
Four red cards given out in this game
Pat O'Krane made his 50th. appearance
Crap Award: Gene Crowley