On their return to League 1, just as they had done three years earlier under the coaching eye of Włodzimierz Gąsior, Stal aspired to join the fight for a place that would earn them a place in the UEFA Cup. Saturday night’s match, played under the floodlights, was the first game in the 1st division (then the Premier League) in which the Mielec players scored three points (the system was in force – for a win by a difference of at least three goals, the winner took not two but three points, the loser was penalised with a deduction of one point). Our players outclassed the experienced visiting team both in terms of speed and creativity of play, and above all their modern style of play. The driving force behind Stali on this day was the defender Adam Fedoruk, known for his offensive play at the time, who, despite being caught offside twice, was able to find his way into the opponent’s goal twice. First, as early as in the 7th minute, he took advantage of an accurate pass from Jędraszczyk, while 24 minutes later he finished off a perpendicular pass from playmaker Krzysztof Tochel. Sajdak (four times) and Makuch twice from further away were also close to increasing the score in the first half. Silesia simply slept through the first 45 minutes, failing to threaten Wojdyga’s goal.
After the change of halves, the Mielecs started to play more economically, while the visitors were a little more courageous. Already after a quarter of an hour it could have been 3-0, but Leszek Jędraszczyk’s header was knocked off the goal line by a Wrocław defender. The only good opportunity for the Silesian footballers was created less than a quarter of an hour before the final whistle, when our goalkeeper deflected Machaj’s head strike. Finally, the final seconds of the game arrived. Piotr Porębny, who was extremely effective in defence, decided on an offensive solo rally, after which Maciej Śliwowski ‘s pass gave the Warriors the lead. When the game was over, a large group of Steel fans from sector number 5 still kept the Borek residents awake for a long time , intoning choral chants praising the Fabryczny Klub Sportowy.
22.10.1988 – Mielec, 12th round 1st league, Stal Mielec – Śląsk Wrocław 3-0 (2-0) /+1/
Referee: Suchanek (Krakow) Spectators: 10,000
Stal: Wojdyga – Porębny, Tyburski, Czachowski, Fedoruk, Barnak (73 Urbanek), Śliwowski, Makuch, Tochel, Sajdak, Jędraszczyk Coach: W.Gąsior
Silesia: Kirsza – Tęsiorowski, Król, Stelmach, Boguszewski, Mandziejewicz, Tarasiewicz, Machaj, Kołodziejczyk (46 Sztorc), Mikołajewicz, Drączkowski Coach: A.Łysko
Goals: Fedoruk 7, 31, Śliwowski 90 min.
In summary, the balance of extra-class duels between Stala and Slask is in favour of the Wroclawians. Forty-two matches were played (13 wins for Stal, 12 draws, 17 defeats). In goals 48-49. In the 2nd league, the Mielecs played against them 6 times in the 60s (3 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat, goals 7-5). In the Polish Cup, the balance is also more favourable for Slask. It has won twice, by scores of 2-0 and 5-2.
Leszek Śledziona
