Clash of the Latics fans........
It was a slow start to this match with both sides playing a cagey game and not wanting to make any mistakes. The Classics had been hit with injuries and players on holiday so it was an unorthodox line up which began the game. The first break-through came for the visitors in the 18th. minute after David Breen broke down with a calf strain. Chilliwack tried to take advantage of the situation but their effort was too tame to ruffle Judd Boxtart. Unfortunately for Breen he was unable to take any further part in the game. The next chance in the 23rd. minute was a corner kick for the visitors but the headed attempt was aimed straight at Boxtart who was able to make a routine save. The Classics took the lead after Jeff Dickson was upended in the box and the referee awarded a penalty. As Boxtart had been pouting for months about taking a penalty kick he was nominated to take it. He duly stepped up knocked the kick straight down the middle to give the Classics a 1-0 half time lead. He said that he had purposely sent the keeper the wrong way but that was left open to speculation. The half-time Gord talk was rendered by Dave Moore and it certainly geed up the team for the second half.

The second half was again end to end and the home team had to be reshuffled yet again as Chris Arcari was forced leave the field through injury, not to return. Warren Crowley increased the lead for the home side with a clean and crisp strike which gave the visiting keeper no chance with about 20 minutes remaining. The main battle on the field was between two Oldham Athletic fans, Moore and Chilliwack Adrienne, and it looked like Adrienne would have the last laugh when Larry Thorlakson gave the visitors a lifeline when he brought down a player just inside the box. Adrienne stepped up to take the spot kick but his effort hit the upright and went for a dead ball kick. It brought a sigh of relief to the Classics, and some Oldham banter from Moore, as they were at times playing against the tide.

Thorlakson deserves special mention as he appears to be chasing records this season. Last match he took ten minutes in the sin-bin for a foul and earlier in this game he received a stern warning from the referee for fouling. It was only his angelic face and his 'honest and sincere' apology that talked him out of another yellow card earlier in the match. However, the yellow card had been in the post from the beginning of the game and finally it was delivered with time running out, and with Thorlakson helping it! He received his caution for time wasting. This came with about ten minutes remaining. Chilliwack had managed to claw back a goal when Boxtart shouted for a high ball but 'old butterfingers' let it slip and it was pounced upon and Chilliwack were back in the game.

In the final analysis the Classics did the business, albeit in an ugly fashion. Both individually and as a collective group every player rolled their sleeves up and contributed to a hard fought victory against a very good team. The midfield worked tirelessly and the defence, while up against it, pulled out all the stops to keep the flow of attacks stemmed. The forwards did their utmost under difficult circumstances to relieve their colleagues of pressure whenever they could. A large pat on the back goes to every player for an outstanding performance, and result.

It was pointed out after the match that Dave Moore now has a 100% coaching record and is in danger of being poached by Grimby Town FC. Check the link at The Grimsby Telegraph although the photo is not one of his best.

Final Score: Classics 2 Chilliwack 1 (1-0)

Stats
Yellow Card: Larry Thorlakson
Penalty Conceded: Larry Thorlakson
Penalty Scored: Judd Boxtart
You were crap award: Larry Thorlakson