"Old Firm" Serve Up Fogbound Classic - The News Must Get Through! by Jeremy Ruane Those perennial purveyors of attractive, attacking football, Mt. Wellington and North Shore United, served up another classic "old firm" battle at Bill McKinlay Park on Saturday night, fighting out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the final act of a trilogy of terrific tussles between the two teams this season. The match, however, was overshadowed, literally, by the onset of fog. According to referee Ken Wallace, the criteria for play continuing was dependent on the referee being able to see both goals clearly from the half-way line. This being the case, the enthralling encounter - the last National League duel between the clubs - went on, despite what were obviously difficult playing, refereeing and spectating conditions. The match itself began at the frenetic pace for which these two teams are renowned. It was tit-for-tat action - John Lawler narrowly wide for Shore, Justin Worsley likewise for Mount, both efforts taking place inside the first three minutes. The home side began pressing, and were rewarded after nineteen minutes with a netbulger from Sean Rowland, capitalising on dynamic approach play from captain Grant Lightbown and Worsley. Shore were rattled, and fell further behind ten minutes later. Lightbown again the provider, his pinpoint cross picking out the unmarked Worsley on the far post. Jason Batty could but stand and admire the perfectly placed looping header from the big man. Mount really turned the screw at this stage, with Worsley (twice) and Elrick both going close, but Shore responded in kind, Kevin Hagan bundling seventeen-year-old debutant 'keeper, Mark Bowen, into the net with a robust challenge for a high ball, while a goalmouth scramble moments later saw Bowen emerge unscathed following severe pressure from Stu Dunbar. Those not seated right after half-time - and there were a few in this sizable turn-out - would have missed Lee Fraser's thirty yard free-kick sailing through Bowen's hands into the net, to restore respectability to the scoreline for Shore, who had looked dead and buried at half-time. Such is Shore's approach to these matches that attaining an equality was their next objective. And while the fog began to swirl around with increasing intensity, these hopes were severely put to the test in the 63rd minute, when Keith Hobbs decided to enter Lightbown into a Birdman contest, minus wings, in Shore's penalty area. Dave Witteveen's penalty was well struck, but Batty's save, with his feet, was equal to the occasion, and Shore breathed again. Mark Weddle was not impressed with the offside charge against him, as he netted a minute later, while Bowen, who was deputising for the injured Steve Baker, did brilliantly well in forcing Hagan to fire wide with the goal gaping, after Darron Jackson's undistinguished back-pass had set the Shore striker up. The fog's descent continued unabated, forcing this writer to take up running reporting, literally, to maintain coverage, as Shore scented their chance to move in for the kill. And move in they surely did. Bowen was charged with time-wasting, and Fraser's indirect free-kick sailed into the net. "Take it again", said refeee Wallace, as he added the encroaching Lightbown's name to those of Witteveen and Matty Byers, already in his book. Fraser duly did so, and hit the angle of post and crossbar. A let-off for Mount, one of many to come. Shore had to score. No less than four shots in one goalmouth scramble were blocked on the line, while the next flurry of murk-bound mayhem brought the visitors their much sought-after equaliser, albeit hotly disputed, in the 81st minute. Dunbar got the vital touch midst the gloom to attain a fully deserved equality for Shore, but was it gained via foot or hand? Both sides strived for the winner. Lightbown fired two bullet-like headers narrowly wide, while Shore countered with another fruitless goalmouth scramble, and a twenty-yarder from Fraser which Bowen did remarkably well to see, let alone save in stunning fashion as the sphere sliced through the fog. Soon after, a welcome final whistle was blown by Wallace, ending a fine 2-2 encounter which will be talked about for years, not just for the quality of play, but for the added ingredient provided by the elements. Mount:     Bowen; Waetford, Jackson, Byers; Atkinson, Riley, Witteveen, Rowland; Elrick (Clark), Worsley, Lightbown Shore:      Batty; Jones, Hobbs, Dunbar; Wafer, Lawler, Ogg, Bracken; Weddle, Hagan (Stevens), Fraser Referee:   Ken Wallace Scoring:   Mount:  S. Rowland (19), J. Worsley (29)                 Shore:   L. Fraser (46), S. Dunbar (81)