Feltonmix Metro, the defending champions of the Bluebird Premier League (nee Superclub), proved too strong once again for their main rivals of last season, Fox Tapes Mt. Wellington, at Bill McKinlay Park on May 17, winning their physically demanding encounter 2-1.
Metro began strongly, a lovely move involving Kenny Harlock, Steve Nickson, Sakdy Phommahaxay and Willie Thompson ending with the ball in Nigel Kelly’s hands in the seventh minute.
The ball was in the ‘keeper’s hands again a minute later, but Kelly wasn’t happy about the fact, as Phommahaxay had side-footed home a Kenny Harlock free-kick through a cluster of defenders, who were anticipating a cross to massed ranks of Metro players on the far post as opposed to a low-struck drive to the vicinity of the penalty spot.
Kelly was soon in action again, saving solidly from Thompson’s volley, but could do nothing a minute later as Shaun O’Mara’s 25 yard screamer flashed past the far post with the goalkeeper at full stretch. Harlock was allowed to run through unopposed from inside his own half in the 21st minute, and almost punished The Mount for their standoffishness - the ball was no more than a foot past the upright, as the visiters maintained the hectic pace they had set from the start.
The home team, while still in contention, hardly got a look-in early on, but gradually came into the game to cause Metro’s stand-in goalkeeper, Bruce Plunkett, his fair share of consternation. Three times Nick Hyde was foiled by the custodian before the half-hour mark passed, while Kelvin Sefton was narowly astray with headers on a couple of occasions.
After Danny McHenery had struck a fierce drive a foot over the top when put clean through by Harlock, the half ended on a controversial note. Christchurch referee Ian Walker, being assessed for a possible National League appointment, was three yards away when Andy Berry and Nickson clashed, the Metro striker hitting the deck with a resounding thud.
The referee, whose overall performance was better than some, but not all others witnessed this season, had no hesitation in brandishing the red card to Berry, much to the Mount defender’s disbelief. Later enquiries  revealed that the dismissal was for kicking his opponent.
At 1-0 down with ten men, few would have fancied The Mount’s chances. But after weathering an early Metro flourish - Kelly denied Stu Roberts while Kara Waetford cleared off the line after Harlock’s shot had beaten the goalkeeper and hit the inside of the far post - the home team began to press for an equaliser.
Crosses aplenty were delivered by Leigh Kenyon, Jeff Campbell and company, as Heath McCormack, a half-time substitute whose dynamic performance raised the question as to why he hadn’t been on from the start, caused more than a few moments of mayhem amongst the champion’s defence.
Almost every time, however, the sphere seemed to be drawn almost magnetically into the gloves of Plunkett, who duly cleared his lines each time. One such clearance found O’Mara, and his lofted throughball was instantly killed by Nickson as the ball dropped for the striker.. His next touch was just as lethal - a clinical volley which flashed past Kelly into the net, leaving Metro 2-0 up on the hour and well in control.
Nonetheless, chances flowed thick and fast at both ends. Hyde and McCormack were foiled by Plunkett, aminute after Andy Brown had stepped in to deny Nickson his second, Metro’s third.
The pace of the game was such, however, that the extra man advantage was beginning to tell. No-one told the outstanding Kelly, however and Metro were thwarted on numerous occasions by a goalkeeper who would be more than able stand-by for Jason Batty in the All-Whites’ goal if called upon.
McHenery, Nickson and Harlock - an almost unbelievable save from a one-on-one, this, meant that Metro had to settle for two goals on the night, although Nickson’s diving header narrowly failed to crown another vintage Metro raid, Harlock and Roberts the others involved in the 81st minute charge.
Stoppage time came around, and the excitement continued. Hyde was denied in the act of shooting by a timely John Van Dort tackle, but Campbell rifled home from a tight angle, on receipt of a nicely weighted James Paterson pass - he, like Kelly and McCormack, excelled for The Mount - to set up a grandstand finish.
Mount were hot on the attack, with just Waetford left to handle any charges of the Metro brigade, should any eventuate. Inevitably, one did. Nickson led it, with Roberts and Chris Walley in support, but when the man in possession was brought down by the last defender, the game was up. Waetford knew his fate before referee Walker had to reveal the red card, and with the captain’s departure went any faint hopes the side had of snatching a draw.

Result
Mount Wellington: 0 

Feltonmix Metro: 2; Phommahaxay (8), Nickson (60)

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