Blockhouse Bay inflicted the second defeat in as many away games on Feltonmix Metro at Whitney Street on April 27, scoring a famous win over the defending Bluebird Premier League champions.
You have to go back to 1986 for Bay’s last defeat of Metro, which was also a 1-0 affair, at Phyllis Street. A year prior, Blockhouse enjoyed their last home success over their local rivals.
This derby was every bit as tight as anticipated, and there was very little to choose between the teams throughout the first twenty minutes. In the next quarter-hour, a couple of chances came to pass, with Triss Clark saving from Danny McHenery and Shaun Omara, while at the other end, Paul Colgate headed a Jason Root cross against the crossbar, Sean Fallon, on his Bay debut, firing the rebound over.
What turned out to be the game’s only goal was struck by James Stewart in the 37th minute. He gathered the ball on the right, cut inside and fired the ball past retreating defenders and the unsighted Wayne Roach, who could do nothing as the sphere sped into the far corner of the net.
Omara looked to level a minute later, but his vicious swerving volley, aided by a biting cross field wind, swerved straight into the grateful gloves of Clark, who, four minutes later, produced probably the most crucial save of the game.
Steve Nickson, who’d been having a bit of “fun” with Martyn Miller and Thomas White throughout proceedings, drilled in a cross which struck the arm of Kane Lynch at point-blank range. Referee Hengo Sioneloto, whose inexperience at this level was often exposed, pointed to the spot, and then confirmed his decision with his assistant, Michael Knight.
McHenery stepped up and shot, only to see Clark dive to his right to push the ball to safety, and spark a counter-attack which Roach eventually foiled, smothering a Colgate cross which Stewart and Fallon were looking to convert.
The second spell was notable for Metro’s final ball - too often it was lacking in accuracy. Clark had to make just two saves from McHenery and Stu Roberts, while John Van Dort blazed over, and Miller headed a teasing Benny Hall cross to safety in the shadows of the ninety minute mark.
Otherwise, Bay held sway. Roach denied Stewart on the hour, while Root clipped the crossbar with a free-kick ten minutes later. A fine save by the goalkeeper foiled Hamish Carmody in the 75th minute, the resulting corner seeing Roach to the fore again, saving a fiercely struck Lynch shot despite the close attentions of Tony McHenery.
Root and Stewart had chances to extend Bay’s lead before the finish, but one proved enough for Don Maguire’s men, a third straight win which sees them joining Metro in fifth spot on the league ladder.

Result: Blockhouse Bay 1 Feltonmix Metro 0
 Stewart (37)
Players of the day awarded to:
 Paul Colgate  John Van Dort

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