Classics v Britannia
James Hill
3rd. Nov. 2019

Conditions: Warm and sunny

Players on duty: Chris Arcari, Lorenzo Arcari, David Breen, Jimmy Butler, Jason Clegg, Gene Crowley, Jim Eden, Wayne Ferguson, Randy Hosler, Gordie Macklin, Alan Massender, Dave Moore, Pat O’Krane, Jerry Szakun, Larry Thorlakson
Coaches on duty: Lorenzo Arcari & Gordie Macklin
Classics succeed in feisty affair...
It was the day when the clocks went back which technically gave everyone an extra hour in bed but, something went drastically wrong in the Alan Massender and Pat O'Krane households as they both turned up late and had to settle for a place on the bench. The match kicked off with the first of the early exchanges going in favour of the visitors but their first shot was well wide of the post. The first effort at goal for Classics happened in the fourth minute after a good run down the left for Wayne Ferguson who centred for Gordie Macklin but his first time volley was woefully wide - it didn't quite go for a throw-in but it was darned close! Randy Hosler had a mini relapse in the 10th minute when he dawdled on the ball for too long and an attacker nipped in to head for goal but his shot was just over the bar. A controversial moment happed on the quarter hour mark after the Classics could have been awarded two penalties. It came after a run by Jerry Szakun - he was taken down as he entered the box; the ball ran nicely for Jimmy Butler who was then hacked down just two yards from goal - the referee waved away all appeals.

Macklin showed his tenacity when he nipped in like a little leprechaun and stole the ball in midfield. He ran down the wing and sent over a cross for Szakun but it was just too high for him to get any power behind it and it was gathered by the keeper. No pot of gold at the end of that run! Britannia almost took the lead in the 20th minute after a shot hit the post and ricocheted back off Jason Clegg to go for a corner. It could have just as easily gone in. Szakun made another telling run down the wing minutes later and sent the ball over for O'Krane but it was one of those days when he was wearing his balloon boots. A goal came in the 26th minute and it came for the Classics. O'Krane did the damage with a penetrating right wing run which ended with a forceful centre to the head of Ferguson, who rose spectacularly to power the ball home with a text-book header which Jimmy Greaves would have been proud of - it was spectacular! Three minutes later it should have been 2-0 after Szakun slid in to steer the ball past the keeper but the referee disallowed the goal as offside - he should have gone to LensCrafters! Britannia countered down the right and the attacker was brought down in the box by Gene Crowley. He did look offside but Chris Arcari confirmed, after the game, that he was on side. The penalty kick was skied so justice seemed to be served. Play was getting a little fiery with some hot-heads wanting to take the quarrelsome route. It was as if we were playing Fort United with all the FU's being banded about - I think one of their players was called FU because people kept shouting, "FU 10." The referee calmed it all down by blowing two minutes early which he added on to the second half. Randy Hosler was given a 10 minute sin bin at the end of the half for his contribution to the incident.

Second half play began in unorthodox fashion with Macklin punting the ball down towards the Britannia dead ball line straight from the kick off. This caused confusion which resulted in a throw in for the Classics. Jim Eden took a quick throw to Bultler who spotted Macklin lurking in the box near the Britannia keeper. Butler lofted the ball onto Macklin's head and he timed it just right as the opposing keeper was a big lad! As Macklin went up, the keeper went down and the ball looped over him to drop nicely over the line. It was a nice way to celebrate your 150th appearance for the club. The 57th minute witnessed Butler being put through on a one-on-one but he jinked his ball just wide of the far post with the keeper advancing. Britannia were not giving up and countered with a powerful shot to which Clegg had to be aware. It brought a great diving save from the home shot stopper which favourably displayed his agility. On the hour mark Szakun brought a good save from the Britannia keeper who got down well to tip the ball wide of the post. The 65th minute brought another good centre from the Macklin registry of crosses which Butler rose to meet. However, the ball seemed to strike his shoulder instead of his head so the danger was averted. A good spell of attacking play resulted with several shots on the visiting keeper, including two excellent low powerdrivers from O'Krane. For a short spell the peppered keeper looked like a coconut in a shy.

The 70th minute saw Massender working his socks off to get the ball to Macklin who, in turn, released Butler on another run at goal. This time he did the business and stroked the ball home, low to the left of the keeper. With an unassailable three goal lead, the Classics then consolidated the game with some good possessional play which helped run down the clock for a deserved victory, but one which they had to work very hard for. It was a very satisfying result. A good time was had with the Polish fare after the game, courtesy of Mr. Szakun.

Final Score: Classics 3 Britannia 0 (1-0)

Stats
Gordie Macklin's 150th appearance
MWG: Wayne Ferguson
Crap Award: Larry Thorlakson (because Mary dressed him with his shorts on back-to-front)