When the 1997 Bluebird Premier League season is looked back on, the date of August 9 is one which could well mark the beginning of the end of Feltonmix Metro’s title defence. And while Sean Hird’s team is still in a position to retain the trophy, there can be no doubt that the 2-1 defeat inflicted upon them by Fencibles United at Riverhills Park will be a significant one if they fail to do so.
What’s more, it was a deserved win for Keith Garland’s side. But for the outstanding efforts of Way Roach, Metro’s defeat could well have been heavier. But what was a closely contested yet largely clean encounter was at times over shadowed by the pedantic refeering of Trevor Stevens.
That’s right, the same Trevor Stevens who controlled these teams when they clashed at Albie Turner Field, a match which finished all square on the scoreboard - 2-2, but not on the field - Fencibles finished that match with nine players.
Nine yellow cards were flourished by the referee at Riverhills Park on Saturday, many a result of players airing their frustrations at the officials officiousness. Frustration which was perfectly understandable, when one considers Mr. Stevens’ actions in the 28th minute.
Time-wasting is a little-punished offence at the best of  times, and is normally a tactic employed in the late stages of a match, if at all. So how does one begin to explain Metro’s Sakdy Phommahaxay being shown the yellow card for not throwing the ball in quickly enough with less than half an hour gone?
It was almost inevitable that the kaleidoscope of colour which the referee brought to the match would have a dash of rouge thrown in at some stage, and sure enough, the red card was waved in the 56th minute. Steve Nickson was the unwilling recipient of this gesture, his frustrations having boiled over once too often for the official’s liking, the Metro striker having been booked two minutes previously for a similaroutburst to that which saw him receive his second yellow card.
Not that his dismissal influenced the final outcome, for Fencibles were 2-0 up by this stage and cruising. They had gone close early on through the head of All White striker Nik Viljoen, while Roach was soon calling on some of the saves in his repetiore to deny Matty Byers, Viljoen and Guy Reeves.
After weathering this spell, Metro gave Fencibles some of their own medicine, only for Alex Hurstfield to rise to the occaision with saves at the feet of both Steve Goddard and Nickson. The home team wewre foiled by Roach again five minutes before the interval, Shane Gillies the most aggrieved at being denied a goal.
United hit the front in the 42nd minute through Paul Stevens. Jason Collett picked out his team-mate with a superb cross to the far post, and the energetic midfielder volleyed home stylishly. Six minutes later, they doubled their lead, Byers netted from the penalty spot after John Van Dort had bundled down Viljoen as he homed in on the target.
Viljoen and Reeves again found Roach to be more than a match for them before the hour mark was up, while a superb Stuart Mair tackle denied the lively Viljoen in the 69th minute, as Fencibles looked to extend their lead.
Benny Hall, moved into the attack in Nickson’s absence, proved to be a worthy replacement. A fine run and shot deserved a better fate than that which befell it - Hurstfield saved - but the speedster made amends fifteen minutes from time, sliding home on the far post after Sean Hird and Danny McHenery had combined with telling effect.
This set up a grandstand finish, one which Fencibles given their earlier dominance, should really not have had to endure. But they did, and they came out of it unscathed, although the goal-line clearance of McHenery’s shot by Gillies had a lot to do with the 2-1 scoreline remaining unchanged come the final whistle.
 
 

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