Derby win puts Bell Park on top

BELL PARK has secured consecutive derby victories after overcoming Surf Coast 2-1 on Saturday.

The All Whites had to do it the hard way after Jasmin Ikanovic scored in the 25th minute, but they found the net through a Johnson Luong volley on the stoke of half time.

That proved the catalyst for a turnaround in the second half but it wasn’t until sub Alex Losper got on the end of a Dylan Young pass in the 87th minute that Bell Park hit the front, with coach Tony Hayes saying Luong’s hit was just what his team needed to fuel the comeback.

“To cop a goal early in the game is always challenging depending on how the team reacts,” Hayes said.

“The boys put themselves together well, they rallied and kept going and then got the late winner.

“The first half we were our own worst enemy so for the goal to come right before half time, it was a morale booster and the energy shifted.

“We controlled large portions of the second half, so it was great reward for their effort.”

The win to Bell Park comes on the back of a 6-1 derby victory over Golden Plains last round, but Hayes had conceded during the week that Surf Coast would be a much more difficult prospect than their neighbours down the road.

Hayes was also full of praise for Losper, who only came on to the pitch with 20 minutes left to play.

“Alex has been out for a long time with an injury and he has been slowly working his way back into the squad,” he said.

“We know how good this guy is and thankfully he was able to get out there and score a goal and get his confidence up.

“It was obviously a massive moment for us to pick up the win through that moment, so we are very happy with the lad and how hard he has worked to get himself back and it was a great moment for him.”

Bell Park has jumped to the top of the State League 4 West ladder and next takes on Gisborne at Dixon Field.