The meeting of the second round of the spring round was played by promotion, in November, due to the national team’s performance at the World Cup in Argentina. At that time, compared to today’s Premier League struggles, it was not a very common occurrence. Widzew, despite losing as many as seven points to the Mielecs, were favourites for the third meeting with Stala in Lodz and attacked relentlessly for the first 40 minutes. Replacing the injured Kukla in goal, Henryk Jałocha allowed himself to be surprised only once in this period. In the 24th minute, he capitulated after a precise strike (from Gapiński’s corner) from 16 metres out, which was hit by local midfielder Zbigniew Boniek. Stal, also weakened by the absence of striker Lata and midfielder Hnatio, focused on playing on the counter-attack, scored three times (4 min. – Demko from 4 m over the crossbar; 22. min. – Szarmach lost the ball in front of the visitors’ goal) created opportunities to score. The last time, in the 39th minute, she equalised. The ball went to Szarmach, who was in a burned-out position. The latter played it to Edward Oratowski , running in from 15 metres. Despite the numerous returns of the hosts’ players to their positions, the strong strike of the Mielec midfielder found its way into the rival’s net.
Four minutes after the change of sides, the crossbar (hit by Kostrzewinski) saved the Steelmen from losing (in the first half Kowenicki stamped the post) a goal. In the 66th minute, former Mielczan player Jerzy Krawczyk, introduced two minutes earlier, played around his two recent colleagues and passed along the goal line to Rozborski. The latter shot towards our goal, but the last of the ball was touched by Gapiński and Widzew went into the lead again in this match. The pace of the game slowed down again, which our team took advantage of eagerly. In the 72nd minute it again led to an equaliser, when Oratowski took advantage of a misunderstanding of local defenders and passed to defender Andrzej Demko, who was able to deceive the covered Burzyński.
20.11.1977 – Łódź, 17th round First League, Widzew Łódź – Stal Mielec 2-2 (1-1)
Referee: Brzozowski (Lublin) Spectators: 8,000
Widzew: Burzyński – Kostrzewiński (ż), Janas, Chodakowski, Tłokiński, Zawadzki, K.Surlit (64 Krawczyk), Boniek, Rozborski, Kowenicki, Gapiński Coach: B.Waligóra
Stal: Jałocha – Rześny, Kosiński (ż), Załężny, Per, Oratowski, W.Karaś, Kasperczak, Demko, S.Karaś (86 Chamielec), Szarmach Coach: K.Pawlikaniec
Goals: Boniek 24, Gapiński 66 – Oratowski 39, Demko 72 min.
In summary, the balance of only first league (premier league) duels between Stali and Widzew is 35 matches (5 wins for Stali, 15 draws, 15 defeats, goals: 36-50). 1 meeting was played in the Polish Cup, a 0-2 defeat for Stali. 3 matches were played in the League Cup in 1977 and 1978 (unofficial) (1 win, 2 defeats; goals: 2-3).
Leszek Śledziona
