DON’T worry about the upcoming clash between A-League sides Sydney FC and the Newcastle Jets.
If you’re a football fan in Port Macquarie, chances are you know of the green and blue divide and the rivalry that only a true local derby can produce.
I’m talking about that time of year when the Port Macquarie Football Club and Port United collide.
No matter their position on the ladder, current form, injuries or suspension, both teams look forward to this clash and the ghosts of games past seem to resurrect and influence the play like football puppet masters.
To set the scene, the history between the clubs goes back a long way.
For many years, Port United was the only Port Macquarie football side.
Tourists, blow-ins, anyone moving to the Hastings and wanting to play football found Dixie Park and Port United.
Port Macquarie FC, or Port Macquarie RSL as they were then known, was United’s arguably less glamorous kid brother.
In different competitions, United had much success in the 1980s playing in Newcastle and Coffs Harbour.
Port RSL, however, stayed local, and concentrated on slowly building its junior base.
While there were various and odd clashes between the two clubs from time-to-time, the rivalry grew more out of mutual respect, a little bit of envy and, as in all football codes, player transfers.
It wasn’t until the inception of the Premier League that the rivalry really began to heat up.
During these early years, United had the better of the results as they were the more established club and Port FC was still trying to find its feet.
Gradually though, Port FC began to grow in stature and, with the help of a few ex-pat Port United players, started to match United on and off the field.
So much so, that recent results and grand final berths have all gone the way of Port FC.
Many of today’s players don’t care too much for the two club’s history or even what happened last year.
Most only remember round one. Or at least that’s what they say.
Ask any United player if he’d consider playing for Port FC, or vice versa and you’ll get a pretty common answer. Not a chance.
Two players who embody that passion are Matt Witt (Port FC) and Tim Yule (Port United).
Both have played for their respective clubs for many years, and while they may share a beer off the field, once the two of them cross the white line, the battle lines are drawn.
Witt is a nimble and athletic midfielder who has been in tremendous form of late, scoring at will.
His move from the left wing into the central midfield this season has been pivotal in Port FC’s title chase.
Yule is an industrial workhorse with a lethal right foot.
Although only small in stature, he tackles hard and never backs down from a challenge.
Both will be instrumental in tomorrow’s clash at Dixie Park.
In round one, Port FC narrowly defeated Port United 2-1 at Wayne Richards Park.
Witt scored Port FC’s first and had a hand in the second.
Yule, through his never-say-die attitude, got United its goal through some aggressive running and tenacious attack.
That however, was back in April. This is round 10.
Both sides are in good form, if that is possible in such a rain-soaked season.
Port United is currently sitting in sixth place on the competition ladder, having played seven matches for nine points. Port FC occupies third on 12 points, having played six.
This game therefore has a lot more at stake than just bragging rights.
Victory at home for United will see them join Port FC on 12 points, but unless they can beat Port FC by eight goals or more will still sit behind them on goal difference.
A Port FC triumph, with a game in hand away at Old Bar, can inflict much pain on United and significantly affect their chances of making the top five.
United is however, in good form of late.
United travelled to Laurieton last round and achieved what no team has been able to do this season – take two points off competition front-runners Camden Haven by snaring a 2-all draw.
Port FC is coming off the bye and a thumping 7-0 victory over Port Saints mid-week.
The reserve grade game starts at 3.15pm with the firsts to follow at 5pm.
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