FOR the players of Melbourne City and Laverton Park, there is nothing more enticing than beating up on the old enemy in the Football Federation Victoria men's provisional league 1 north-west.
They mark the meeting in their diaries as soon as the fixture is released with the knowledge that a win will bring unbridled joy - a loss being an unbearable fact of sport.
Melbourne City is based at Edwards Reserve in Spotswood, the setting for the latest chapter in this big rivalry.
Laverton Park calls Laverton Park Reserve home, a short 10-minute drive on the Princes Highway.
There are geographical reasons for one of the great western suburbs rivalries, but the fact you can drive past at least five other clubs along the way makes the uninitiated wonder how a rivalry was born.
The answer to that question can be found in the two clubs' links in the South American community.
Melbourne City is steeped in Argentine heritage, while Laverton Park is strongly aligned to the Chilean community.
Not only does that make for a breathtaking style of soccer based on attack and flair, but also some heat on the field and a laugh or two at full-time.
"There were one or two things happening on the ground during the game," Park president Vince De La Plaza said.
"All the players know each other and left it on the ground at full-time."
There can be only one winner and it was the visiting Laverton Park.
They deflated the home fans with three first-half goals to eventually run out 4-1 winners.
Jean Cardonne carved up the defenders with two goals for Laverton Park, while Ritchie Rossi and Ricky Castro also found their range with goals.
It was more than three points for De La Plaza.
"Everyone was quite happy - we beat our rivals," he said.
"It was even more special beating Melbourne City this time because a couple of our former players are playing with them now.
"We looked a bit stronger all over the park."
Laverton Park has designs on making the return match later in the season the last derby for some time.
De La Plaza spoke of his club's ambitions to be promoted and the team has responded to sit second on the ladder with 16 points from seven games, while Melbourne City is precariously placed third-last with one win.
"Our aim is to go up," he said.
"Last year we just missed out, which wasn't too bad considering we came down from the state leagues the year before.
"Our goal is to get promoted this season."
The recruitment of Castro from state league 2 outfit Werribee City has been telling.
The midfielder has clearly relished the step down in class.
"He has been our best player and has been dominating in the middle and upfront," De La Plaza said.
"He's a very skilful and attacking player.
"He's got the freedom to do what he wants, but he works back very hard defensively."
Yanco Castro, the teenage brother of Ricky, joined from South Melbourne and has shocked with his composure on the backline.
"He's only about 15 and he walked straight into the team," De La Plaza said.
"He's not only held his spot really well - he's been one of our standouts."
The glue holding Laverton Park together is captain Willy Olea. "He controls the ball in the middle of the park," De La Plaza said.
Second-placed Laverton Park hosts promotion hopeful Corio in a glamour match-up at Laverton Park Reserve on Saturday at 3pm.
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