Revenge is sweet .....
The Classics rounded off their regular season with a second visit to South Surrey, hoping to avenge their only defeat of the season, a 3-2 loss at Peace Arch earlier in the campaign. The field was set out for a tournament so both teams had the luxury of dug outs and cover for the spectators, as well as pretty banners around the field. It looked like Pat O'Krane had got away with a hand ball in the penalty box early on in the match but he was adamant afterwards that he had chested the ball. Shortly afterwards the same played was involved in a physical tussle with one of the opposition but he came best off as he was still standing after the incident. The visitors had the first shot of the match in the 8th. minute, through Gordie Macklin, but the effort was well wide. Daryl Lawrie won the first corner of the match in the 11th. minute. A couple of minutes later there was a bit of panic in the defence but Gene Crowley did a good job of tidying up the mess. The best move of the game came in the 18th. minute after Macklin stormed down the left flank. He crossed the ball to O'Krane who powerfully hammered the ball goalwards but the keeper was able to push his attempt over the bar. A break by the homeside followed but the resulting shot was wayward.

 

The first goal came in the 28th. minute and it was started from a left sided Macklin throw in which was whipped over into the danger area. The ball was in the air a lot and O'Krane hooked his foot up and flicked the ball on, to which the keeper could only hold the ball in slow motion before helping it on it's way over his head and into the net. He immediately ran across to O'Krane to shake his hand for the assist. Peace Arch responded with an attack. Danny Jensen made an uncharacteristic slip and Arch got in a shot, which Judd Boxtart had to save with his extended legs, yet again - I'm sure he's Inspector Gadget in disguise! With 10 minutes of the half remaining a right wing corner from Randy Hosler was headed goalwards by Warren Crowley but was deflected wide for another corner. It was another doosie from Hosler, who was having an impressive game. The ball curled in to the back post and Macklin was on hand to steer the ball over the line with his chest, although Hosler was convinced that it was already over the line. The dubious goals panel decided to award the goal to Macklin cause he's been struggling recently.

 

The first move of the second half left Macklin pounding the ground after he was clean through with just the keeper to beat but he blasted wide of the near post. Peace Arch started to assert some authority onto the game, although not always legally, and they tested Boxtart again, and he passed with flying colours. He was commanding in the box, and they were throwing everything at him; if there had been a kitchen sink on the sideline that would have been thrown too - but he would have handled it competently, just as he did with everything that came into the penalty box, whatever height it came in. A 50-50 ball was contested between O'Krane and the Arch keeper but the ball went unfortunately wide. The 78th. minute decided the outcome after Hosler did some sterling work from the back. He fed Lawrie who unselfishley put Alan Massender through with just the keeper to beat. Initially, he looked like a 'little boy lost' as he didn't realise that midfielders were allowed to shoot on goal. Irrespective, he hammered the ball home. He did it in a cheeky manner too, as he confused the keeper as he pointed to the left corner before he hit it to the right. It made the result a comprehensive victory, one for which the Classics had to fight, and, to a man, they did it in dominating style to conclude a very successful season. LATE NEWS - Hold on - the season has been extended. Stay tuned.

After match festivities were all positive and were undertaken at Semiahmoo Senior School, the spiritual home of the Classics (Semiahmoo FC of 1964). Massender was awarded the Snickers award for scoring a goal, and he was still on a high as everybody else was leaving - he could still be there.

Stats
MWG: P. O'Krane
Crap Award: J. Eden