By: Lorcan MATHEWS

LARA United will be keen to build on its Round One victory over 2016 Grand Finalists Rangers as they head to Surf Coast’s Banyul Warri Reserve tonight to open Round 2 of the GRFC Men’s Division 1 league.

Eric Lawrence was the lone scorer for United in their 1-0 triumph over the Rangers and more will be expected of him in tonight’s clash.

A wet and windy week of weather will hopefully not affect the Banyul Warri pitch too much, with kick-off for the game between the two combatants from the two most extreme parts of the region set down for 7:00pm.

Deakin Ducks v Breakwater Eagles   

DEAKIN Ducks return to their home ground at Deakin University where they will welcome Breakwater Eagles for their Round 2 clash. The immaculate conditions at Deakin’s synthetic pitch will not have been affected by the recent downpour and the reigning Premiers the Ducks will be looking to take advantage of this.

Two goals inside the first ten minutes in their opening fixture was not enough to grab the three-points last week for Deakin with the Ducks drawing 2-2 with Drysdale, while Breakwater’s Brendan Duthie was lethal in front of goal grabbing a brace in their 2-1 opening round triumph over Surfside Waves..

A possible Match of the Round in prospect here, with both Deakin and Breakwater assembling strong squads for the 2017 Season.

Surfside Waves SC v Barwon Heads SC

SURFSIDE Waves welcome Barwon Heads to Shell Road Reserve tonight under lights, as the ‘Waves’ will look to capitalise upon a solid 3-1 first round win against new side Leopold FC last week.

Barwon Heads will need to put in a much stronger performance if this fixture is to be a strong contest, as Heads were brushed aside in their opening home fixture against Barwon SC.

The high flying Barwon smashed the Hammerheads to the tune of eight goals without reply.

Barwon SC v Drysdale SC

AN 8-0 domination away to Barwon Heads sees Barwon SC return to Grovedale Reserve brimming with confidence as the team to watch this season in the Men’s Division 1 competition.

Rejuvenated over the off-season, under new first year manager Dale Harris, Barwon has quality in depth with competition for every spot in the starting lineup. A solid first round draw for Drysdale against last season’s Premiers Deakin last week, but Saturday’s fixture will be a huge test for Jason Pickles’ squad.

“It was a promising start to the year against the champions from last season, but we know this week, away to Barwon will be a significantly tough test for us”, Pickles stated.

Geelong Rangers SC v FC Leopold

AN unexpected loss away from home for Rangers last week will be the motivation for the Dark Blues as they come up against new club FC Leopold at Myers Reserve on Sunday afternoon.

Leopold will continue to ride the wave of enthusiasm that has gripped the club since its formation, and take the fight to Rangers in their first fixture away from home.

An expected comfortable start to season for last year’s runners-up Rangers, has proved anything but, with a dangerous fixture at home to Leopold on Sunday afternoon.