Surrey Classics FC v Fort United
Denny Ross
27th. September 2009

Weather: warm and sunny
Classic attack on the Fort........
The Classics played their first 'official' home match of the season at their new park at Denny Ross. The visitors were an unknown qualtity as they are a new team to the league. The daunting prospect of playing against a team with FUFC emblazonned upon their chests was one of intrepidation. The visitors had made their debut in the league the previous week and succumbed to Aldergrove with a 7-0 loss, not the flying start that they had anticipated.

The game kicked off in glorious sunshine and the Classics had their first team players available unlike the previous week when they had to lend four to the visitors. With Garry Hackel back in the fold Dean Herbert slotted in as a makeshift full back as Rick Geary was unable to dress due to injury. Dave Moore moved into the centre of defence with Danny Jensen and Larry Thorlakson filled the other vacant defensive spot.

The game got underway and the Classics tried to take a firm grip of the game early on but the possession that they should have maintained was not fulfilled as too many sloppy passes went astray to the opposition. It was taking some time for the new players to settle into the flow of the game, as well as many of the established players. Brilliant individual players does not make a good team and although the Classics tried to get the game flowing it somehow wasn't gelling. The Classics did take the lead midway through the half with a debut goal from Gene Crowley who powered a ferocious shot past the Fort goalkeeper, one who had been in outstanding form.

The half time team-talk from Moore was not well received with some of the newer players unable to understand the concept of teams that pass to their own players. Maybe an eye test is in order for some of the players who appeared to be stricken with colour blindness. The second half was much better as the players seemed to take on-board the idea that we played in blue. The midfield took a leading role and worked tirelessly to feed the front two players who were getting little from the Fort defenders. Chances went astray but a pattern was emerging and the home side started to knock the ball around with some confidence as they finally took a grip on proceedings. Doug Rosenlund was working hard and put over some enticing centres which were not being taken full advantage of. Chuck McGill, Warren Crowley, Bill McAuley and Gene Crowley were working hard, running well, and linking up good but the final product was still lacking.

Moore send a lame backpass to Hackel in an attempt to bring the stagnating keeper into play and the ploy worked. The Hack raced from his line and smothered the ball well while doing a great impersination of a tractor intent on furrowing all and sundry that got in the way. It was a great save. With time petering out the Classics got the goal which killed off the opposition. A right hand Rosenlund corner seven minutes from time was met by the duo of Moore and McGill, doing their impersination of Flannagan and Allen singing "Underneath The Arches". Moore left the glory to McGill who gleefully powered a header past the dumbfounded Fort keeper.

The Classics played a game of possession from that moment and it was just like watching Barcelona without the "olay's". As time ran away the Classics grew in stature and the game resulted in a comfortable win for the home side. The following Wednesday the club held a useful training session. The question now is, "who is going to tell Dave which way to play when we lose possession?"

Final Score 2-0 (1-0)

Stats:
MWG: G. Crowley
You were Crap award: D. Moore