There was a time when Stal regularly won in Szczecin against the local Pogoń. This was the case in the two previous seasons: 1972/73 and the following season, when we won by a difference of two goals, 3-1 and 2-0, even though the hosts were supported by a lot of local fans. This time around, mielecki were without injured captain Kasperczak, and in his place Domarski took on the role of our team’s conductor. However, it was his defensive colleague Marian Kosinski who was the best player of the day for the blue-and-whites, not committing a single error in this meeting. He skilfully conducted his defensive colleagues, and more than once it was him that the local team’s attacks stopped. He was bravely assisted by Gąsior and Lato, as well as Karaś at times. The hosts had nine points on their account before this meeting, while Stal had seven points more. The hosts were promising a win, but their offensive drive ended in front of the penalty area, and they also played brutally at times. This was the case in the 19th minute, when the referee’s attention was drawn to Domarski’s cut in the penalty area as he was preparing to shoot. The same happened moments later with Lata, who only returned to the game after lengthy medical treatment. In the first leg, the Porters were forced to play in ten from the 34th minute, as Kasztelan was shown a red card for pushing and kicking Oratowski without the ball. The visitors were given a 1-0 lead by Witold Karaś as early as the 10th minute. It was then that Sekulski decided to strike at the visitors’ goal, the ball bounced off the post, and the incoming striker hit the ball into the net with a flat, powerful shot. Pogoń had just two opportunities in this part of the game, but both Kudla (failed to control the ball) and Mikulski (strong shot) failed to beat Kukla.
In the second half, the locals rushed at the visitors’ goal a few times, but shots from closer and further away by Justek, Wawrowski and Mikulski fell prey to the Mielec goalkeeper. Stal was able to hold the ball in midfield, leading several dangerous counter-attacks. The goal that sealed the final result of the match was scored in the 61st minute by Jan Domarski, who took advantage of a misunderstanding between local defenders following a corner kick taken by Oratowski. The coach of our team Zenon Książek was not satisfied with the play of his eleven after the game, commenting on it with the words – There was no great game, but a typical fight for points. We expected Pogoń to play more ambitiously after two consecutive defeats. In fact, the porters fought desperately, but too hard, which provoked… a “response” from Stala. At times the game was ugly…. After this meeting, the Stalowcy occupied the second position in the league table, while the locals were third from the end, with only one point advantage over the relegation zone.
10.11.1974 – Szczecin, 12th round 1st league, Pogoń Szczecin – Stal Mielec 0-2 (0-1)
Referee: Polaczek (Łódź) Spectators: 17,000
Pogoń: But – Wawrowski, Malinowski, Boguszewicz, Kudla (54 Woronko), Mikulski, Mańko, Kasztelan (1x ż; cz. 34 min.), Czubak (73 Czepan), Wolski, Justek Coach: E. Zientara
Stal: Kukla – Rześny (61 Janus), Kosiński (ż), Bielewicz, Per, Gąsior, Lato, Oratowski, Karaś, Domarski, Sekulski (73 Adamowicz) Coach: Z. Książek
Goals: Karaś 10, Domarski 61 min.
In summary, the balance of all 41 (home and away) extra-league duels between Stal and Pogoń is even – 15 wins for Stal, 13 draws, 13 defeats. The goal ratio is 48-43 for the Mielec players. Second-league struggles are 2 matches (1 draw, 1 defeat; goals ratio 5-7). In the 5 matches of the Polish Cup, the balance is as follows (3 wins for Stali, 1 draw, 1 defeat; goals 11-7).
Leszek Śledziona
Photo: Leszek Śledziona Archive
