LOCAL DERBY SPICE
DANIEL Conte won’t exactly be the prodigal son when he returns to the Bell Park Sports Club tomorrow.
After all, the exciting utility will be donning the blue and yellow strip of the opposing Surf Coast FC in the highly anticipated State League 4 local derby. But he does admit it will be a strange feeling coming up against the club for whom he took out the best-and-fairest award last season.
“It’s a great club that has a really good culture, which I was truly happy to be a part of,” he said yesterday, ahead of tomorrow’s must-win game for the competition pacesetters.
“It will be strange to play against them, but it’s always a fiercely contested derby and I can’t wait for the challenge.”
Surf Coast is on top just two points ahead of the marauding Altona North, which has a game in hand. Even a draw against the All Whites could prove disastrous, and Conte knows the stakes are high.
“The game will be very tightly contested as the stakes are high, with both teams vying for promotion,” he said.
“These local derbies are always a great challenge which attracts a good crowd and pumping atmosphere.”
Speaking of crowd and atmosphere, is Conte expecting a hostile reception from his teammates and the crowd that just last year often marvelled at his many inspirational forays into attack?
“The club culture and fans at Bell Park are very fair and supportive but of course a bit of fun banter wouldn’t go astray. That’s to be expected,” he said.
“The team that I played with last year has changed somewhat but they are all good blokes. I’m looking forward to being on the other side and seeing what happens.”
One of Conte’s teammates from last season and the main thorn in Surf Coast’s quest for the three points will be leading goalscorer Mijo Marinovic.
“Every footballer loves a derby so we cannot wait for Saturday. Past players, bragging rights, a league title to win … there is a lot on the line. The pressure will most definitely be turned up a notch come game time,” Marinovic said.
“Surf Coast got the better of us last time, but Daniel can safely tell his teammates, we are ready to change that,” he cheekily warned his ex-teammate.
The Round 15 clash between top-placed Surf Coast and fourth-placed Bell Park at the Bell Park Sports Club kicks off at 3pm.