Albury United centre-half Jimmy Carr has already scored nine goals this season

The 33-year-old Englishman is new to the competition this season after leaving to the British Army to serve in the Australian Defence Force.

Carr's never played club soccer before and was asked by United coach Matt Campbell if he could do a job at the heart of the Greens defence.

Eight games later, Carr has nine goals to his name and is United's joint-leading scorer alongside striker Melkie Woldemichael.

"I can't complain," he said. "In the UK, I was playing centre-midfield but I just love scoring goals.

"Every opportunity I get, I go forward. I'm the first player making that run.

"I even got a hat-trick the other week, three headers, and I had the opposition asking me to stop going forward."

Carr, born in Newcastle, spent 14 years in the British Army and played for his various regiment teams but is loving life in the civilian game.

"I fancied something a bit different, a new challenge, so I thought 'why not move to the other side of the world?'" he said.

"I didn't know the area that well when I joined the ADF but a couple of people recommended coming along to train.

"I actually went training with another side in November but didn't feel like they were the team for me and I didn't think I was going to find a team to play for.

"But I came to United in January and the way the club's set up and the way training was run, it felt like a good fit for me."

United, in second, go to fourth-placed Boomers on Sunday knowing a win could see them reclaim top spot from Wangaratta.

With just four points separating the top-four, it's set up for a fascinating run-in, while fifth-placed Albury City are also in the mix.

"We've got a good side and we're definitely heading in the right direction," Carr said. "We played Boomers a few weeks ago (winning 2-0) and they've started getting players back.

"They were a good side and if they hadn't had those injuries, they would probably be a bit closer. But the season's not over by any means and anyone in the top four is still challenging for the title.

"I love playing against the top teams and taking three points from them would be massive."

IN OTHER NEWS:

The weekend's action kicks off on Saturday evening with a double-header at Willow Park, where Albury City face St Pats at 6pm before Twin City and Albury Hotspurs do battle from 8pm.

Fierce rivals Wangaratta and Myrtleford clash on Sunday.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: