The eagerly-anticipated fixture between the current crop of Fir Park Corner stars and the old guard took place at a sun-drenched Ravenscraig last week and it was the veterans who came out on top in a light-hearted friendly match.
The current side started brighter, capitalising on some defensive unfamiliarity in the legends ranks to race into a 2-0 lead thanks to a quick-fire double from Ross Clark. The first goal was a lobbed finish after a cute through ball from David Fraser, and he soon doubled the advantage after pouncing on an error by David Arbuckle between the sticks.
The sun shines on the winners
Despite the 2013 side dominating and having a couple of penalty claims waved away, it was the former players who grabbed the crucial third goal, with John Barclay rising at the back post to head home a Dave Hendry corner. The two goal cushion was restored soon afterwards, with Fraser again feeding Clark to complete an impressive first-half hat-trick.
The spirit of the former players side would not be dampened, however, and it was Man of the Match Barclay who hauled them back into the game just before the break with a stunning strike from no less than 45 yards which eluded Fraser in the goal.
First half action
After the break, the legends side came out of the traps with a point to prove and soon pulled themselves level when Ian Buchanan deftly chipped the ball over the advancing Deryck Fraser and the 'keeper could only watch the ball sail into the net. With the past masters now in the ascendancy, it was only a matter of time before they took the lead, with Buchanan again involved. He played a through ball to the impressive Chris Miller who fed Dave Hendry to get his name on the scoresheet.
It was the veterans who then found themselves two goals to the good when John Barclay completed his hat-trick with a low drive into the bottom corner from 20 yards. Shortly afterwards, Ross Clark made it 5-4 with another tidy finish after Fraser once again set him free.
As the 2013 crop pushed forward for the equaliser, the game was effectively ended as a contest when a breakaway led to Derek McLaughlan lobbing the Fraser, only for Ross Mitchell to slap the ball off the line to avoid messing up his hair. The experienced FPC campaigner received his marching orders from referee Stewart Tweedlie. Fortunately for the current side, Deryck Fraser atoned for his earlier error and parried away McLaughlan's penalty but that was the last real action of a thoroughly enjoyable game.
Both sides then headed back to Jack Daniels for a few refreshments and a bite to eat, with the elder statesmen claiming the bragging rights on this occasion. A rematch looms....
Fir Park Corner 4-5 FPC Legends
Read more of the FPC FC exploits here.