The 50th minute brought a break by Jeff Dickson who centred the ball. It more or less hit Pat O'Krane and bounced to safety over the dead ball line. Two minutes later the Dragons almost pulled a goal back. It came down the right hand side where Randy Hosler was beaten, but a last-ditch challenge from Larry Thorlakson save his blushes when he put in what was a goal saving challenge. The Classics had lost their shape at this stage and the Dragons piled on some early second half pressure which forced four corners in quick succession. However, the visitors rode their luck and maintained the 2-0 lead. In the 58th minute Deeley ran half-a-mile to the corner like a steam-train (train spotters look away) to save a ball from going into touch. It was an excellent use of energy as he managed to retrieve the ball and then cut back inside to beat his opposition shadow and send over a dangerous cross to the near post. Butler was dreadfully unlucky not to meet the header and the result was just a pile of spent players, spreadeagled at the near post. The centre deserved a better finish.
The Dragons continued to pile on the pressure which was asking direct questions as to the Classics' game management skills. Jason Clegg was having more than average action and his skills as keeper/sweeper were on display with flashing lights and much fanfare. His distribution was excellent also and his presence was like having an extra defender - the team were playing a 5-4-2 formation at this stage of the game. With a quarter of an hour remaining, the Dragons' second half pressure paid off with a goal. A long ball through created havoc in the Classics defence and a left hand break released a Dragons attack. It was a replay of Szakun's goal as the player sent the ball across the face of the goal for a punt in at the back post. It was nail biting stuff now! Another break through from the half way line released anothe Dragons player on a one-on-one with Clegg, who was disappointed to get beaten on his near post. It was game-on now at 2-2.
The last few minutes brought chances at both ends and O'Krane was yellow carded for what looked like a boisterous challenge to which the referee took exception. The final score was 2-2 but to the Classics it felt like a defeat. Clegg was very apologetic after the match and he admitted that it should have been a 1-2 win, but for his inability to stop the near post shot, although he may have been a little hard on himself. He was fully expecting the crap award but somehow he dodged the bullet. Alan Massender confessed, "Sorry for my sub-par performance today. I did little to help us win today. Felt like a loss. Will try again next weekend. Black H." To finish on a positive note, it was refreshing to see so many players down after the game! It shows just what camaradarie exists within the team; when teammates are disappointed with individual performances and are all out to make amends. The Classics didn't lose and next week is another game, so it's onwards and upwards. Here's to next week.
Stats
Yellow Card: Pat O'Krane
Crap Award: Gene Crowley