Classics v Dutch Masters over 40's
Newton Athletic #1
21st. September 2003

Bat those cobwebs off........
It was a return to action for the Classics and as the scheduled home game against Britannia was cancelled the Classics took on the tall order of playing a friendly game against the Dutch Masters over 40's. It was to be a good test and would help to dust off all the summer cobwebs. The Classics got a good start and had the ball in the net within five minutes of the kick-off. Billy Ranger rose well at the far post and powered a header into the roof of the net. Unfortunately for the Classics, the referee adjudged Ranger to have committed a foul in the process and ruled out the effort.

Masters took the lead in the 15th. minute and then doubled the lead on the half hour after a Masters player beat the off-side trap. The youthfulness of the opposition (some 15 years younger) was having it's toll on the Classics and it was no surprise when they made it 0-3 just before the half time break. The pattern continued in the second half and it was 0-4 after Garry Hackel and Phil Nelson combined to lose the ball on the edge of the penalty area. A Masters forward cleverly chipped the ball over Hackel for their fourth. Rick Geary managed to get a consolation goal near the end of the game after he powered his way into the box and calmly slotted past the advancing keeper. It was a useful warm up game for both teams and should help when the real action gets under way next Sunday.