NEWS: The long wait is over – the 2018 season kicks-off this weekend!
THE ARDUOUS off-season for Geelong’s football tragics will finally grind to an abrupt halt this weekend with the kick-off of the 2018 NPL Men’s league season, as well as the introduction to this year’s FFA Cup for three of Geelong’s senior Men’s teams in the first round of Qualifiers of the nationwide knockout tournament.
PHOTO: North Geelong Warriors' coach and one time Hyundai A-League assistant coach and former Socceroo aide, Luciano Trani
Added to that, Week 3 fixtures in the ever popular Geelong Community Cup will be contested at Stead Park on Wednesday and Friday evening, providing local fans starved of their live football fix a mouthwatering feast of senior football action this week.
On Wednesday evening, Corio will take on Barwon in the early game of the Geelong Community Cup at 6:30pm, while the improving Golden Plains will come up against hot favourites Geelong Rangers at 8:00pm.
On Friday night, Rangers and Barwon do battle in the early match at 6:30pm, while top of the table hosts Geelong will come up against the youthful Bell Park in the main clash at 8pm.
All attention will then turn to matches in the First Qualifying Round of the FFA Cup the next day, when three Geelong sides (Deakin Ducks, Lara United and Cup debutante Barwon SC) will attempt to advance to the next round and join three other Geelong sides (State League 4 outfits Surf Coast, Golden Plains and Bell Park) in the nationwide tournament.
Barwon will host Mitchell Rangers, from the Central Victorian town of Broadford, at Howard Glover Reserve at 2pm on Saturday, as their Grovedale Reserve complex is unavailable.
Lara United FC is likewise unable to play their Cup tie against Kensington City at home due to unavailability, hence their fixture will be staged at the Knox Regional Football Centre. Kick-off is at 2:30pm.
Deakin Ducks, meanwhile, will host Tatura SC from the Shepparton based Goulburn North East Football Association at its Deakin University Sports Fields in Waurn Ponds. Kick-off is set down for 2pm.
The action packed season opening weekend will culminate on Sunday when a new look North Geelong Warriors, coached by one time Hyundai A-League assistant coach and former Socceroo aide Luciano Trani, travel to Epping Stadium to tackle Melbourne Victory Youth in Round 1 of the new NPL2 season.
Kick-off for the main game is set down for 3pm, while the Under 20s will start the day’s proceedings with the curtain raiser at 1pm.
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