Make-up game finally happens...
This game was a make-up game that was on and off more times than Theresa May's Brexit deal. The match should have been played at James Hill but a mix up in communication meant that the game had to be called off on Saturday afternoon. However, the game was resurrected when a neutral ground at South Aldergrove came available. With some players having made alternative arrangements that couldn't be broken the Classics took the field a little short with just two substitutes. The big news of the week was that Mike Deeley was sent out on loan to Fort United over 50's team in an effort to sharpen up his game skills and get him match fit to play back at the team's regular level. The club hopes that the sabbatical works out for both parties and he should be back in action for next week's game, the final match of the season, when Rangers bring their team to Murrayville. It was a welcome return for two players who have been out a considerable time through injury. Sherman Foster was thrown in at the deep end with a role at the heart of defence but rookie Gene O'Crowley had to settle for a place on the bench because he was wearing green and white socks which the team needed to get used to first.

The first real chance came after 20 minutes when Jerry Szakun was put through on goal by an uncharacteristc deft (spelled without the A) touch from Daryl Lawrie. Szakun could only watch as the keeper made a good save and pushed the ball away for a corner. Gordie Macklin took the resulting corner which eventually fell to Pat O'Krane after a few ricochets and he steered the ball over the line for the opening goal. On the half-hour mark Lawrie squandered a glorious chance to increase the score when he was left with just the keeper to beat. He tried to chip him but could only flick the ball into the grateful arms of the opposing keeper. Lawrie tried his luck again soon afterwards but the keeper again made a good stop and palmed the shot away for a corner. Minutes later O'Krane played a nicely weighted ball through for Dickson who calmly picked his spot to make it 2-0. United then won their first corner of the match in the 38th minute but it came to nought. Just before the half time break Macklin slipped a precision pass through for Foster to run on to and he took full advantage by rocketing a shot into the top left corner of the net. Seconds later Lawrie was at it again, this time he tried a long range chip which the keeper just about managed to get his hands to to quell the danger.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with the Classics being dominant with the ball and controlling play. In the 55th minute Lorenzo Arcari got in on the scheming and an intelligent through ball beat the off side trap which left Lawrie and Dickson both in pursuit of a one-on-one. After about 10 minutes and a long discussion, the two shook hands and decided that it should be Dickson who should take it on, which he did in competent fashion by rounding the advancing keeper and slotting home the fourth goal. On the hour mark Lawrie chipped another effort over the bar before sending over a delightful cross which was met by Szakun who executed a volley which bounced back off the upright; play was called back by the referee as he had decided that the ball was dead before the cross was centred. Time was run down with the Classics never really exerting themselves and it was a comfortable win in the end.

Stats
MWG: Pat O'Krane
Yellow card: Pat O'Krane (niggling)
Crap Award: Not awarded