Rangers v Classics
Inter River 6
9th. Feb. 2020

Conditions: On the top of a mountain - cold with icy remains on the field

Players on duty: Chris Arcari, Lorenzo Arcari, David Breen, Jimmy Butler, Gene Crowley, Mike Deeley, Jeff Dickson, Willie Dixon, Wayne Ferguson, Randy Hosler, Alan Massender, Pat O’Krane, Pat Rohla, Larry Thorlakson
Coaches on duty: Alan Massender & Mike Deeley
Great display after lay-off...
This game was another 9:30am kick off in North Vancouver, the second time that the Classics had made the trip. It was the first match played since December 15th of last year due to the Christmas break and some very uncooperative weather. The last time the Classics visited the ground, they came away with a narrow 1-0 victory with Jerry Szakun notching the all-important winner. With no recognised goalkeeper to hand Pat O'Krane volunteered to step up to the posts. Rangers made their presence felt as early as the first minute when a fierce tackle brought down Jimmy Butler. Randy Hosler took the resultant free kick which ended up with Mike Keeley, but his shot was well wide of the mark. Small ice chunks were being kicked up but they soon disappeared as the ground warmed up. The Rangers won their first corner after 10 minutes and O'Krane did well to tip the effort over the bar in his first call to action. A minute later the Classics took the lead when a right sided attack saw Hosler ship the ball through to Butler who back-heeled the ball to beat his man before placing the ball, inevitably, to the right of the keeper. It was Butler's 142nd goal for the team, and one which almost went unnoticed as it broke the all-time scoring record for the club, previously held for so long by Classics stalwart Jim Eden.

Butler released Wayne Ferguson in the 20th who cut inside to take a shot which the home keeper did well to push away. As the half progressed, Classics were in complete command as they stroked the ball around confidently, restricting the home side to chasing shadows. It was a convincing period in the play as possession is so important when holding the lead. Alan Massender was in the wars in the 35th minute and was incensed when he received a whack in the face from one of the Rangers players, a whack which resulted in no free kick and an eventual yellow card for Massender, after pushing the point too hard with the referee. The half ended with the Classics winning by the single goal.

After a stirring half-time talk about continuing playing in the same manner, the Classics found themselves pegged back after the Rangers scored in the first minute of the second half. It came from a break down the left which gave the attacker the opportunity to shoot across the keeper and into the far corner. It was a blow as the Classics had looked comfortable but they had been caught flat-footed. Jeff Dickson, having a great game, put in a shot in the 53rd minute which had the keeper scrambling to palm the shot away for a corner. O'Krane upped the ante on his walk-abouts. When he has previously played in defence he has wandered too far down the field so when he is in the nets why should it be different? Now known as 'Dion,' the wanderer was often seen caressing the centre spot and he almost got caught out when one long range shot had to be chased back to clear. The comedy moment arrived soon after when Chris Arcari yelled at the top of his voice, "The ball doesn't always have to go up!" If this was a reference to Isaac Newton's law he failed to add, "but if it does, it will come back down again!" It was a statement well worthy of the crap award. The Classics were awarded a free kick in the 68th minute which was floated over to the back post and Johnny on the spot was Gene on the spot as Gene Crowley was in the perfect position to knock the ball home inside the near post from close range.

Once again, the Classics regained their composure to take control. The Ranger's main danger man was the number nine but Hosler had been appointed to man-mark him and he was sticking to him like snot on a stovepipe, thus restricting his opportunities to cause damage. Rangers tried to rough-house the Classics but they weren't for succumbing to those tactics as the Classics can give as good as they take when needed. The game was sealed two minutes from the end when Ferguson received the ball just inside his own half. With a defender in hot pursuit, and with his arms and legs flailing, Ferguson advanced on the keeper and then, keeping his composure, slipped the ball nonchalantly to the left of him to confirm the result. It was Fergie's 8th goal in 10 appearances - quite a statistic. The outstanding after-match quote was made by Pat Rohla who, commenting about Massender, said, "With a face like that you could have worn out two bodies by now." All in all it was a very successful trip with the Classics putting in a very professional performance to come away with a convincing win against a very handy opposing team.

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

Stats
Yellow Card: Alan Massender (mouthing)
Jimmy Butler broke the all-time scoring record with his 142nd goal
Lorenzo Arcari and Willie Dixon both played their 100th games
MWG: Gene Crowley
Crap Award: Chris Arcari