Wellington Olympic handed Delta Tapware Metro their heaviest defeat in years on April 17, the visitors from the capital becoming the first team since Ellerslie, at Michaels Avenue in 1982, to breach Metro's defence on six occasions.
Indeed, the final North Island Soccer League scoreline of 6-2 in Olympic's favour was flattering to the vanquished home side - but for Grant Schofield, the size of their defeat at Albie Turner Field would have been greater still.
Both Jamie Smith and the outstanding Leo Bertos were twice denied by the former All White custodian in the first spell, with Peter Satos also foiled by the goalkeeper on two occasions in the second spell.
In front of Schofield, only one other player showed the vital characteristics for which Metro's successful teams of recent seasons have been renowned for - heart, desire, passion, commitment and sheer will to win - throughout the entire match.
While some of the outfield contingent performed to their potential in fits and starts, only Heath McCormack did so for the duration, running, chasing and harrying throughout the ninety minutes for little reward, save for the two bright spots of Metro's evening.
The first of these came in the 24th minute. Jonathan Perry, Shaun O'Mara and Nigel Curties combined to create an opening for the flame-haired striker, who lashed the ball home from the edge of the penalty area to put Metro on the board.
The other came a minute from time, as, frustrated by the indifferent efforts of those behind him, he took matters upon himself and charged at the Olympic defence before slipping the ball under the body of Chris Marsh to complete the scoring.
By this stage, however, the game was well and truly over. Indeed, cars were heading out of the ground with twenty minutes still to play, so disappointed were some with the home team's inept display. It's a shame those same folk didn't stay and applaud Wellington Olympic off the field at the final whistle, for they were well worth their victory.
Their helter-skelter, hundred miles-an-hour approach will unsettle most sides. It certainly undid Metro. Indeed, it took just ten minutes for the visitors to strike the first blow, Bertos bursting down the right before whipping in a low cross to Satos, who slid the ball under the diving Schofield into the bottom far corner of the net.
After McCormack had equalised, and Gary Minshull's brave aerial challenge foiled Stu Roberts on the half-hour, a perfectly flighted Bertos free-kick was inadvertently headed bullet-like past Schofield by O'Mara in the 33rd minute to restore the visitors' lead.
Jared Curtis inspired the visitors' third goal, in the 52nd minute. He danced into the penalty area, rode a desperate challenge with aplomb and drilled the ball across the face of goal. Metro defenders were nowhere to be seen as Bertos glided in to steer the ball home - 3-1.
Within four minutes, Bertos made the most of a cavernous amount of space afforded him by Metro's midfield to crack a twenty yarder goalwards. Schofield parried the effort, but Curtis was following up, and steered the ball home into the empty net.
A delightful goal graced the game in the 68th minute. Satos and Simon George found the open spaces of Albie Turner Field their constant companion as they charged towards Metro's goal on the counter-attack, the home team's defence spreadeagled. The former led the charge, the latter provided the finish, with nonchalance aplenty.
Olympic wrapped up their part in this eight-goal feast fifteen minutes from time. Satos was again afforded room aplenty, and he made the most of it, running on remorselessly before slipping the ball under the advancing Schofield to clock up the visitors' sixth goal of the night.
Before McCormack concluded the scoring, both he and Curties went close to reducing the deficit still further. But Metro had no answers to the speed and skill of their hungrier opponents, about whom spectators could have only one complaint - red numbers on blue-and-white-striped shirts make player identification an absolute nightmare!!
Match Stats

Metro: Schofield; Phommahaxy, O'Mara, Mair (booked, 59), Davidson; Edwards, Curties (Thompson, 75), Collett (Malcolm, 61), Perry; McCormack, Roberts (Stewart, 75).

Olympic: Marsh; Foundolakis, I. Minshull, Mitrakas (Young, 63), G. Minshull; Bertos, Sole, George, Curtis (booked, 41) (Cave, 76); Smith (Foldi, 70), Satos.

Referee: Craig Borland

Scorers: Metro: McCormack (24, 89);

Olympic: Satos (10, 75), "Oggie" (33), Bertos (52), Curtis (56), George (68).

Arcus Trophy
Leo Bertos (Olympic) 3; Simon George (Olympic) 2; Grant Schofield (Metro) 1.

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