Pioneers End Surrey Classics 67-Game Unbeaten Streak

Surrey Classics 4 Richmond Pioneers 5

The Surrey Classics impressive unbeaten streak (in winter league play) that goes back over 3 years came to a spectacular halt in an exciting high-scoring battle at Newton Athletic Park, with the Richmond Pioneers coming away worthy winners in a hard fought 5-4 victory.

Meeting for the third time this season, and with four of the last five league games between these two teams ending in a tie, the Pioneers were always the team most likely to be the ones to end the Classics run of 67 games without a loss.

Naturally, the game started at a high tempo, and within minutes the Pioneers had the first clear chance of the game, when a Graham Mason cross was blocked by Classics goalkeeper Manny Soucker yet fell right into the path of the oncoming Denis Harvington, whose shot was somehow blocked.

The Classics scored first from the unlikeliest of sources, full back Fisher Crocket, whose long range shot into a crowded penalty took a nasty deflection, leaving Pioneer keeper Gary Byrne no chance.

The Pioneers responded quickly to the setback. A Ken Johnston shot that was blocked by the hand of Classics defender Ray Marrington (but unseen by the referee) fell into the path of Graham Mason, who drove the ball into the far corner to tie the game up.

The Classics regained the lead with a goal not unlike their first, and again (can't resist this one) it came from the unlikeliest of sources, this time it was Bruce Cook latching onto a loose ball, his shot going over the crowd in the penalty area and into the far top corner.

But again, the Pioneers came back to tie the game up when a beautiful chipped cross from Evgeni Kushnir found Ken Johnston alone at the far post for a routine header.

With the score tied at 2-2, Surrey were awarded a free kick, 35 yards out on the right wing. Jim Eden's curling, floating cross (shot?) deceived Pioneer keeper Gary Byrne, not unlike Ronaldinho's goal against David Seaman for Brazil against England in World Cup 2002. Unlike Seaman—who would later get a comforting hug from David Beckham—Byrne overreacted to a unnecessary critical comment from a teammate, storming off the field in true diva fashion to the bewilderment of all. Unable to be coaxed back onto the field, Dave Valitis took his place between the posts. At the time of going to press, it is not known if Byrne got a hug yet from Stan Bogdanovich.

Trailing 3-2, the Pioneers were coming on strong in the second half, getting the better of the Classics in the key midfield battles. Jusuf Skrijelj was coming into the game more as space started to open up, and he brilliantly set up Bogdanovich whose goalbound shot was stopped by the hand of a Classics defender, for a clear penalty. Graham Mason stepped up to coolly convert the penalty to tie the game up at 3-3.

After some impressive interplay, the Pioneers took the lead for the first time in the game, with Skrijelj and Bogdanovich again combining well, this time Bogdanovich's shot cleanly beating the keeper.

Compared to the low scoring defensive battles in the past, this one was a wild shoutout between two great teams, both going all out for victory.

When Pioneer keeper Dave Valitis failed to deal with a high floating flick to the back post, a goal-line scramble ensued and the Classics tied the game up 4-4.

Almost immediately, the Pioneers responded when Evgeni Kushnir, who had been giving Ray Marrington a torrid time all morning, got the better of Marrington once more and burst through on goal, beating the keeper to give the lead back to the Pioneers (5-4 for those keeping score at home).

At the other end, Valitis made a couple of key saves, including blocking a shot from Bruce Cook.

With Jusuf Skrijelj again the supplier, a clever dummy by Ken Johnston let Graham Mason through on goal with just the keeper to beat but his effort narrowly missed, denying him his hat-trick and giving the Classics a potential lifeline.

However, unlike numerous other occasions when they have come back with late goals to salvage a game, this was not to be the Classics’ day. The Pioneers held out as the final whistle blew on a memorable game and a hard fought but thoroughly deserved victory for the Pioneers - a fine team performance all around.

For the Surrey Classics, it was the end to an amazing unbeaten run that they should be very proud of and will be able to tell their kids about one day. Oh, right...

Click here to read the Surrey Classics match report

This Sunday: Away against Stingers at Delview, in a rematch of the 6-6 Christmas classic.

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