(From memory of the events, rather than as a note-taking journalist with a watch and a team-sheet......... If subsequent archivists want to change any of the factual material regarding scorers etc, or add team line-ups, feel free to do so. I reckon I've got most of it right, though.)
South Melbourne v Brisbane Strikers - Bob Jane Stadium 11 January 1998.
None of the seven previous visiting team had taken all three points from their Bob Jane encounter with South Melbourne. The eighth to step up for the challenge - last season's Champions, Brisbane Strikers - found their task made more difficult in conceding a goal within the first minute.
A free-kick at the halfway was played quickly down the line to Lozanovski, who beat Meredith and then Battistin, and sent over a far post cross which was battered against the post with Bolton beaten, rebounded against Damianos and trickled slowly over the line with Bolton prone and unable to make the second attempt.
What was difficult then became impossible, as before ten minutes had gone, Lozanovski - celebrating his 25th birthday - again skinned Battistin down the crossing to Anastasiadis, who coolly brought the ball down when a header might have been attempted by a more anxious player, abd buried his low shot past the helpless Bolton.
Indeed Bolton's first two touches of substance were to kick the ball to Farina for the ensuing kick-off.
That was Anastasiadis' last involvement in the game, as he was subbed for Coveney, leaving the ground limping from an earlier challenge.
By 25 minutes it was all over as a contest, though not a spectacle, when South's third went in. The unfortunate Battistin, moved from a Lozanovski-tormented left back, to what was presumably a less-exposed right back position, was to find yet again the question was asked of him was overly onerous. This time the cross was sent in from that wing, and converted by Trimbole.
So it was no surprise that Battistin was subbed. Matthew Bell was given the defensive job instead. It must have been a dreadful day to be a Brisbane left back, as towards the end of the match, Bell himself was subbed.
At 3-0 to the good, and South apparently coasting, the crowd's interest turned to how many, rather than if. Veteran striker Rod Brown and Brisbane captain-coach Frank Farina had other ideas, and combined shortly after in a sweet move which provided a ball to Brown's feet and a sweetly hit shot that whistled past Petkovic. Was a come-back on?
As it turned out, it was probably a game that the dropped Striker Andy Harper, a big name signing from Marconi pre-season, would have been happy not being a part of.
Although Brisbane continued to battle away in its attempts to get a foothold - even a mere toe-hold would have done them - no joy was to come from these labours. South was able to sub midfield dynamo Clarkson for the welcome return to first team duty of Panopoulos, such was their dominance. Coveney was now coming into his own with speedy runs down the right and through the middle, giving his markers no time to rest.
From one of these runs came the fourth South goal. Coveney raced along the right touchline onto an early diagonal ball, found it more profitable to turn and run along the 18 yard area than to cross, then launched an unstoppable thunderbolt past the hapless Bolton.
Not even the most optimistic Brisbane player could have been thinking there was a way back from that point, and most would have been figuring out how to avoid sitting next to Farina on the long flight back to Queensland.
And then just to emphasise the disparity between the two teams, South netted their fifth. Not only are they now the team leading in the least losses at home category - none in eight over Sydney United with none in seven, they are undisputed leaders in the goals scored at home with 24 - an productive tally of three per game. More importantly than all of those impressive statistics is the fact that they lie second in the table, and within striking distance of leaders Sydney United.