A year off the soccer field seems to have charged up Patrick Brown's batteries nicely.
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The 24-year-old has struggled with injuries in the past but he's already scored 10 goals in seven games this season to propel Albury City up the AWFA standings.
City face second-placed Albury United on Sunday knowing victory in the derby would lift them to within three points of their rivals from the other side of Jelbart Park.
United start as favourites but first they'll have to do what six other teams have already failed in keeping Brown out.
"I've always been a goal scorer, it's just been a matter of getting myself on the park with a number of issues over the past few years," he explained.
"Coming out of COVID, it was tough to go again because when you do get an injury, you might need to spend time off work and soccer doesn't pay your bills.
"It was tough to get motivated to come back to it after a year off but once I got into it, I've never looked back.
"I'm going into games feeling confident that I can do something, whereas in previous years, I wouldn't focus on the game at hand, I'd focus on my body and making sure I could get through.
"If I was nursing an injury, I'd be thinking 'how am I running?' Not having that focus on my body, just focusing on my football, it's standing me in good stead.
"It's good to have 10 goals already but it helps having a solid team behind me. They give me the ball and get me in the right positions and without them, I wouldn't have anywhere near as many."
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City started the season by thrashing Melrose 7-2, with Brown netting four, but won just one of their next five games.
However, Sunday's 4-2 victory over St Pats took them fourth ahead of the derby.
"It's always a big game against United, even if we're at the bottom of the table and they're at the top," Brown said.
"We played them last week in the FA Cup and they got the chocolates that night but it was a really competitive game.
"We were disappointed not to pick up the win but they're top of the table for a reason, they're a good team. It's always a good battle and a good test, something we're looking forward to - and we're hopeful and confident we can get something out of it.
"At the start of the season, we were somewhat written off but we knew we had the capabilities to match it with the best. We proved that in round two, when we drew with Boomers, and in round three, when we beat Wangaratta.
"We know we can get results but no-one thinks anything of us, so the pressure's off. It's just about finding the consistency which we've lacked in recent weeks."
Wangaratta, who start the weekend top on goal-difference, will open up a gap if they beat Wodonga Diamonds and the Greens slip up against City.
Boomers, in fifth, host bottom side Cobram while St Pats entertain Twin City and Albury Hotspurs visit Melrose.
PATRICK BROWN RATES HIS TEAMMATES
Most skilful?
Obiora Eze. He's only 16 but he's probably the most talented player I've ever seen. It's just the way he is on the ball. Even if he has 2 or 3 of us pressing him, he somehow seems like he has time. Some of the stuff he can do with the ball is crazy. Hopefully he sticks around but he should probably be down in Melbourne.
Best trainer?
Dave Samiec. He's got a lot of work commitments but when he's not at work, he's putting in every time. He's our captain, he leads by example and he's harder on us than the coach at times!
Biggest moaner?
Once it gets cold and wet, it's probably me. I much prefer it when it's a bit warmer.
Hard man?
Darian Maw at centre-back. He'll run into a tackle pretty heavy, he's not one to shy away.
Always on the phone?
The younger brigade. It's a sign of the times. Seb Berkhout, Hamish Keatings, Aaron Young, they're always on their phones in the changing-rooms. They say they're running the music - whether or not they are, who knows but the music is no good. Even though I'm only 24, I much prefer the songs from the eighties than the current day stuff.
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