Classics v Delta United
James Hill
25th. Nov. 2018

Conditions: Cold but dry

Players on duty: David Breen, Jimmy Butler, Jason Clegg, Gene Crowley, Mike Deeley, Jeff Dickson, Willie Dixon, Sherman Foster, Brian Griffiths, Randy Hosler, Daryl Lawrie, Gordie Macklin, Alan Massender, Dave Moore, Pat O’Krane, Steve Palmer, Jerry Szakun.
Coaches on duty: Jimmy Butler & Jason Clegg

Classics overrun Delta........
The match kicked with the Classics carrying a good squad number for once. However, Mike Deeley had to be helped from the field after just two minutes with a damaged calf; he was to take no further part in the game. In the fourth minute, Jerry Szakun delivered a good through ball for Jimmy Butler who had no difficulty in beating the keeper with a low shot to his right. A minute later Randy Hosler sent over a long cross to Szakun's head but his powerful header rattled back into play off the left hand post; it fell at Pat O'Krane's feet who hit an effort woefully wide of the mark. In the sixth minute Gordie Macklin headed the ball through to Szakun who fed it to Butler and this time his shot was low to the left of the keeper to put the Classics 2-0 to the good. David Breen conceded a corner which came over low and ran across the face of the goalmouth with nobody on hand to put it over the line so it ran out for a dead ball. The twelvth minute saw the completing of a hat-trick for Butler who switched his low shot back to the right side of the keeper. It does not beat his previous quickest hat-trick which came against Essondale in 2012 which was completed in six minutes. It's still not too shabby though!

From this point this match report is brought to you courtesy of Warren Crowley... In the 15th, a right wing centre from Jeff Dickson saw Pat O'Krane produce a diving header to put the Classics four to the good. United had an attempt from the left side of the box in the 20th which went over the top. Macklin suggested a new team strategy at this point as he was off the field, "Let's start drinking was his war-cry." Dave Moore, tightening the left side of defence, kicked a goalbound effort off the line to preserve the keeper's shut-out! in the 25th, Stingers started to apply pressure and brought two good saves out of Jason Clegg. A line change on the half hour saw the 'Double D' defensive strategy come into play with David Breen and Dave Moore in the full back slots. Moore was then adjudged to have commited a 'professional foul' at the centre line. Moore then set up an offensive attack with a good ball from the back line. Macklin skinned at the half to break down an offensive thrust from United. Daryl Lawrie won a corner kick from a throw in which was taken by Macklin but it wasn't finished off so the half-time score stayed at 4-0.

Regular reporter... The second half started with a right-wing centre from Macklin which skimmed the crossbar and bounced to safety. It was 5-0 in the 52nd after Butler played through to Szakun who unselfishly passed across the keeper to Macklin who had the simple task of putting the ball into the empty net. The 55th minute brought another scare for the United defence as Macklin's ccorner went to the back of the box where Szakun was waiting but he was situated too close to the dead ball line so his header was too difficult to angle and went just outside the upright. A couple of United attacks almost brought them a goal with the best effort being a header from a high midfield ball which went wide of the left post.

Warren Crowley completes the report... The score reached six in the 60th minute when Dickson tried his luck with a 35 yard chip which deceived the keeper and dropped nicely into the back of the net. It was a welcome return to action for Alan Massender after injury and he was controlling the midfield with his good distribution and several good through balls. Clegg tried a clearance from his six yard box but the ball went straght to an opposing player and he was fortunated to escape with no more damage than just a corner conceded; he made amends, however, with some good sprints from his line to clear up some good through balls which could have been dangerous. Even Butler commented from the side line that, "Jason's been good - apart from the mistake." O'Krane then made his best tackle of the afternoon when he pushed down the little linesman, Luke, and cruely took the flag from him. Coach Butler summed up Massenders game with, "He's having an outstanding game. running circles around the 77-year-old." He then sprang an unusual substitution when he put himself on to replace both Macklin and Szakun, thinking it would be enough to get the job done. More sideline comments were that United had some good players and if Gene Crowley and Brian Griffiths weren't so good they could have got on the scoresheet. Massender then brought a good save from the keeper when he hit a shot from 22 yards before Moore made a good overlapping run down the left. O'Krane then tried to chip the keeper, from just inside the opposing half. He tried to explain that it was a pass but it was brutal! From a corner kick Willie Dixon passed to O'Krane who tried another shot but it went well over the top. Good interplay between Butler and O'Krane resulted in a good save from Butler. Long shots were the order of the day as three shots were attempted, one hitting the bar, and the last was by Dixon from 25 yards but it went wide.


Final Score: Classics 6 Delta United 0 (4-0)

Stats
MWG: Jimmy Butler
Crap Award: Jason Clegg