Hoppers Crossing claimed local bragging rights in a fiery 3-2 pre-season soccer derby win over Werribee City at Galvin Park on Saturday.
It was supposed to be a friendly game, but the players didn’t get the memo, with tempers flaring and the referee handing out punishment in the form of two red cards for the Bees and one for the Reds.
Hoppers Crossing took full toll of its numerical advantage, coming from 2-1 down to find a winner through Patrick McGarrigle in the dying stages.
McGarrigle’s match-winner was 13 years in the making.
It was the first time the sides had met in a game since way back in 2003 and history repeated with the Reds claiming victory.
Reds president Steve Lambrakakis was thrilled with the result and praised his players for never giving up against a side two divisions above them in FFV rankings.
“There was quite a bit of heart involved to come back and win,” he told Star Weekly.
Hoppers Crossing and Werribee City have a unique relationship. Off the pitch, they are willing to work together on projects, and this was one such occasion.
The clubs renewed an old rivalry to raise money for Bailey Chesson, a young boy with connections to both clubs who has been afflicted with serious illness.
“One of the new players we’ve got this year, Daniel Sweeney, who scored our second goal, has played at pretty high levels,” Lambrakakis said.
“He put on his Facebook page that it was one of the most important games of his life and it was a friendly game.
“That resonated through the whole squad, that we’re doing this for someone really special at our club and they wanted to dig deep for ‘Buddha’ [Brian Chesson, the Reds’ captain and Bailey’s uncle].”
Lambrakakis was disappointed with some of the actions of the players of both sides as emotions spilled over.
It detracted slightly from a day otherwise full of positives.
“It was a derby, that’s probably the best way to explain it,” Lambrakakis said. “Pretty much everyone knew everyone on the other team or had played with or against them in the past … you know what it’s like when you’re playing against mates, you want to beat them.
“But, the red cards, I think they were a blight on the game and I don’t think they added to the game.
“The incident that kicked it off, there’s no place for it, especially in a charity game.
“Yes, there’s some passionate guys out on the ground and the passion takes over a little bit, but you don’t want to see that sort of stuff.”
The clubs raised much-needed money to contribute to the ongoing treatment of young Bailey, who is suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome.
“That’s the most important thing,” Lambrakakis said. “We haven’t finished counting yet, but it sounds like we’ve raised quite a bit of money.”
