Classics FC got their promotion push back on track with a 2-1 comeback win against Fugazi 5 on April 9th at Corradino, responding well to a sequence of negative results.

Classics headed into the match knowing that anything but a victory would put paid to their aspirations of playing Second Division football next season. The match got off to a quiet start, both teams content to remain cautious till they had sounded out each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Following a few innocuous long-distance efforts at either side which failed to trouble the keepers, the match exploded into life in the second part of the first half with Classics FC going close twice to breaking the deadlock only to be denied by the woodwork. Fugazi 5 replied with some good moves of their own which necessitated a number of smart stops from Classics’ keeper Karl Lepre to prevent his side from conceding. Despite a flurry of goal-mouth action in the latter stages, wayward finishing and bad luck combined to ensure that the first half ended with the teams tied at 0-0.

Classics FC began the second half aggressively but Fugazi 5 were a constant threat especially on the counter, with Lepre again making a number of fine stops to prevent Fugazi 5 from breaking the deadlock. However, with five minutes left on the clock, Classics were made to pay for their profligacy when Fugazi converted a quick counter-attack with some classy finish off the post to finally put a mark on the scoresheet. Trailing by a goal and heading for a defeat that would effectively end any hopes of getting something positive out of their season, Classics reacted and drew back on level terms in no time. Bernard Darmanin won his umpteenth tackle in defence and drove forward, leaving two players in his wake to set up Yau-Man Law for a simple finish to restore parity. Classics were not content with a draw and pushed all their men forward in the hope of scoring the second crucial goal. They were rewarded for their endeavours when Antoine Briffa’s low cross across the face of goal was turned in by Joseph Darmanin sparking mad celebrations on the team’s bench. Classics were leading for the first time in the match with less than a minute to go and held out until the end to record a morale-boosting victory. 

Classics play their next match on Tuesday, May 3rd against New Team FC knowing that again, anything less than a victory would spell the end of their season’s worth of hard-work.