With McMath still not officially open, the Richmond Pioneers first home game of the winter season was switched to the coveted stadium field at Minoru Oval. If you count the 50 or so people who use the surrounding track for exercise as spectators, then this would be a record attendance for a Pioneers home game. But despite the location being a hub of activity, the only interested spectator was a lady sitting high in the stands shouting the same thing over and over again in Chinese. Apparently her comments translated to "You guys are terrible!" She obviously knows her football.

The opponents on this beautiful Fall day were a depleted Stingers team. Missing players through holidays and injuries, the Pioneers had to loan them a couple of bodies to help them out.

The Pioneers started out brightly with two goals in the first 10 minutes. Denis Harvington opened the scoring, latching on to a precise pass from Ken Johnston. Minutes later, as an attempted clearance from the Stinger keeper failed to reach his intended target, Graham Mason first timed a shot from 35 yards over the retreating keeper and into the net.

Against the run of play, Stingers pulled one back when a long range effort that looked like it was meant to be a cross floated into the top corner, eluding Pioneer keeper Dave 'Seaman' Valitis.

At the other end, Evgeni Kushnir, who to this point had enough clearcut chances to score at least a hat-trick, finally remembered the nets are located inside the posts to give the Pioneers a 3-1 lead.

But Stingers fought back and reduced the deficit when one of their 'loaned' players, none other than super-sub Gary Byrne, picked up a loose ball and bundled it past Valitis. The Chinese lady let the Pioneer defence know how she felt about them.

At half time if was 3-2 Pioneers, a scoreline that flattered the Stingers.

In the second half the Pioneers were cruising, creating lots of chances but still unable to build on their slender lead. It took an inspired bold strategic coaching move from 'Sir' Mike Mogul to settle the contest once and for all. Putting Dennis Luk up front alongside Johnston proved to be a masterstroke, as Luk scored a couple of opportunistic goals. When the otherwise impressive Stinger keeper failed to hold a shot from Mason, Luk was Johnny-on-the-spot to hammer the ball home. Minutes later, he added the Pioneers fifth goal with a cool finish from close range.

The Pioneers looked capable of scoring a couple more, until referee Jimmy Summerville decided to cut the proceedings short, blowing the final whistle maybe 10 minutes early. Fee in pocket, the cranky scot left hastily saying he had to 'babysit', leaving everyone else scratching their heads in disbelief. The Chinese lady wasn't too impressed either.