The Bluebird Premier League leaders, Feltonmix Metro, stumbled in their bid to retain their position at the top of the table on July 26, when they were held to a scoreless draw at Ferguson Park by a resolute Onehunga Sports side.
A year ago, Metro won this fixture 8-0, playing some scintillating football in the process. But Sports were determined not to succumb to their near-neighbours this time round, and the result shows that their efforts were successful.
Chances were few and far between at both ends, with the best defence in the league (Metro), in which, on this day, Stuart Mair led by example, coming up against a Sports forward line which lacked an attacking spearhead. The visitors’ forays, meanwhile were often foundering in central midfield, where Sports’ captain, Reece Culpitt, was at his uncompromising best.
Thus a stalemate ensued, one which would only be broken by a mistake or a piece of individual brilliance. The former came first, a 24th minute misjudgement by Grant Schofield for Sports which allowed Steve Goddard’s teasing through ball to reach Willie Thompson. But Jason Kelly stepped in to save his team-mate’s blushes, and the chance was lost.
Thrust and parry continued unabated, Sports proving themselves well capable of frustrating their more fancied rivals. But a minute before the break, they were exposed again. Thompson created something from nothing on the left, and sent in a cross which deceived Schofield and hit the crossbar. No-one was on hand to convert the rebound.
The second spell saw the home team enjoying the better of the exchanges, culminating in a 63rd minute attack which brought a fabulous save out of Metro’s ‘keeper, Wayne Roach. Culpitt’s free-kick found Jeff Clare, who instinctively fired goalwards through a crowded penalty box. Roach was completely unsighted, and flung himself to his left on sheer instinct. Fortune favoured him, as he managed to smother the shot on the line and keep the scores level.
Culpitt’s departure, through injury, in the 68th minute, saw a noticeable change in the balance of power in the middle of the park come to pass. At about the same time, Metro introduced Darron Jackson and player-coach Sean Hird to the fray, and the visitors almost immediately began to impose themselves on the proceedings.
Their efforts almost paid off inside a frantic ten minutes. Schofield saved from Jackson six minutes from time, but was left stranded by Hird’s clipped free-kick four minutes later. Chris Whalley’s glancing header couldn’t divert the ball into the net, much to the goalkeeper’s relief.
By now it was eleven-man defence for Sports, as Metro laid siege on their goal in pursuit of a late winner which would ensure them of retaining the league lead. It didn’t come, however, with Schofield saving their last chance, from Whalley, at the death. Thus a goalless draw resulted, with Sports fully deserving of a share of the points.

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