Shell Cove FC are embracing Saturday’s Illawarra Premier League debut as the biggest day in their short history with coach Robert Milhailov urging his players to have the ‘‘adrenaline flowing’’ for the visit of neighbours Albion Park.
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The Barbarians dominated District League last season and in only their seventh season will take on the best clubs in Premier League.
‘‘It’s a whole new ball game this season, there’s light years between District League and Premier League,’’ Milhailov said.
‘‘There’s no doubt this game is the biggest we’ve had.
‘‘Since the club was formed in 2009 we’ve been working towards this day. We’ve worked our way into establishing ourselves as a club and improving in District League.
‘‘Now we’ve earned promotion there’s a great deal of excitement and pride in what we have achieved.’’
Milhailov admits while the obvious goal this season is survival, he is cofident the club can mix it with the big boys.
‘‘In my own mind I think we can do a little better than ensuring we remain in Premier League.
‘‘I think we can work towards being a middle table side, which would be an enormous effort.’’
Milhailov has plenty of respect for first-up rivals White Eagles, believing they are a serious threat to the likes of Dapto Dandaloo and Bulli for major honours this campaign.
‘‘From speaking with Albion Park officials and people at the club I know there’re very positive about the kind of season they expect to have.
‘‘They’ve recruited some fine players and along with Dandaloo and Bulli I see them as a top three club. To face a team of that calibre on our debut will be a big test.’’
You could forgive the Premier League new boys for being nervous, even anxious about playing in front of their home fans on debut. But Milhailov hasn’t seen it in training.
‘‘I wouldn’t mind if we were a little more nervous. I want the adrenaline to be pumping.
‘‘They are a fairly confident group and so far nothing has fazed them. Come kick-off I want the juices to be flowing and them to be right up for it. I’m sure they will be.’’
The Premier League’s debut coach doesn’t believe his team will have trouble scoring goals or threatening defences, but has stressed the importance of being strong defensively.
‘‘The last six week or so we’ve worked hard on our defensive structure.
‘‘We have some very creative players, experienced players like Lawrence (Drake) who has played with Brisbane Strikers among other top sides and going forward we will cause other teams problems.
‘‘But we have to base our game on defence and being sound at the back and we have a number of hard-working players such as Farres Aoun who are going to be important for us.’’
Kick-off at Barrack Heights Sportsfield for the southern derby and for all round one Premier League matches is 2.30pm.
In other games, League champions Bulli host Port Kembla in arguably the match of the round, Wollongong United host Wollongong Olympic, Woonona welcome Dapto Dandaloo and Tarrawanna are at home to Bellambi.
On Sunday (2.30pm), South Coast United host Cringila Lions.
