Rangers v Classics
Inter River 6
27th. Oct. 2019

Conditions: On the top of a mountain - sunny but cold

Players on duty: Chris Arcari, Lorenzo Arcari, Judd Boxtart, David Breen, Jimmy Butler, Gene Crowley, Willie Dixon, Wayne Ferguson, Daryl Lawrie, Gordie Macklin, Alan Massender, Dave Moore, Pat O’Krane, Jerry Szakun
Coaches on duty: Chris Arcari & Jerry Szakun
Another unknown quantity... well sort of...
Although this was the first official meeting of these two teams, they did actually play each other in the last friendly match of last season at which the Classics ran out 3-0 winners at James Hill. This was also another new ground for the visitors. Situated on the top of a mountain, it was a picturesque setting for a game, although the 9:30am kick-off meant that it was still cold and the ball was picking up frost as it rolled along the ground. It was a welcome home for Judd Boxtart who stepped between the posts to deputise for Jason Clegg in his absence - he was actually early too! In the pre-match warm up Jerry Szakun had taken his coaching duties to heart and was wearing his 'coaching' jacket. The match kicked off five minutes late. Much confusion surrounded the toss up for ways. Gene Crowley was appointed as captain to 'do the honours' but when he came back he had lost the toss, did not pick which way to go and didn't get the kick-off. These may be some of the skills that Gene needs to work on to further his game.

Early pressure came from the visitors and the first shot fell to Wayne Ferguson although it was hit wide of the left post. In fact, the first three shots of the game all went to the Classics and all went to Ferguson. However, it was still 0-0 after all his efforts. Chris Arcari tried to get in on the action too but his attempt was more of a lob which went over the bar. At bit of action in the 25th minute involved a right wing corner from Pat O'Krane and it fell to Lorenzo Arcari who chipped the ball forward to Szakun's feet a few yards out. Instead of getting hold of it and leathering the ball, it ran away from him and into the arms of the grateful home keeper. It was a controlling half for the Classics but as the whistle went they had nothing to show for all their endeavours.

On the hour mark, Jimmy Butler had two break away runs on goal but for some reason the ball just wouldn't go in to the net. The break through goal came minutes later after the ball was sent to the right far post. Willie Dixon controlled the ball well with his crotch before drilling the ball hard and low across the face of the goal. Szakun was the man on the spot who was left with the simple task of turning the ball into the empty net. It was a deserved goal and was just reward for the effort put in by the team who were totally controlling play. It got to 'showboating' time for Szakun soon after as he did his best Zlatan Ibrahimovic impersonation with a neat run followed by a back-heel - unfortunately his teammates were not as quick thinking. With 15 minutes remaining the Classics should have been awarded a penalty after Butler was hacked down in the box. The referee was nowhere up with play as he was still debating the Brexit talks with O'Krane - well they seemed to go on as long!

The remaining ten minutes was devoid of action with the Classics happy to run down the clock. Another opportunity fell to Szakun but his shot was saved by the outstretched leg of the keeper and it went for a corner kick. After match talk surrounded the penalty claim and it was suggested that Butler didn't go down as he didn't want to launder his kit before the next game. It was also decided that, because of the exceptional saves, Judd Boxtart should now be attending all games in the official role of goalkeeping coach to encourage Clegg, and to help him in his endeavours to keep shut-outs. It was also noted that Jeff Dickson was absent because he had gone moose hunting in the Cariboo but after todays performance it was decided that all the midfielders and forwards should have gone too as they all needed shooting practice. However, the Classics will take to 1-0 win as the Rangers caused a couple of mini-scares in the last few minutes of the game!

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

Stats
MWG: Jerry Szakun
Crap Award: Gene Crowley