THE magic of the Australia Cup returns for another year this weekend when North Coast Football sides kick off their campaign in the annual national knockout competition.
North Coast Football teams play their opening preliminary round matches this weekend across the North Coast.
Last season’s Coastal Premier League champions Coffs City United FC play host to Bangalow, while fellow Coffs team Coffs Coast Tigers travel to Armidale to take on the Demon Knights.
Bellingen FC play host to last year’s Northern Inland Premier League champions Oxley Vale Attunga.
Fellow North Coast Football teams Westlawn Tigers and Northern Storm face off in Junction Hill.
Urunga, Sawtell, Woolgoolga United, and Maclean are all away from home for their opening Australia Cup matches.
Urunga play Alstonville, Sawtell take on Lake Cathie, Woolgoolga United face Inverell, and Maclean travel to take on last season’s Coastal Premier League finalists Port United.
The nine North Coast Football teams are part of 28 teams competing in the Northern Zone of the initial stages of the Australia Cup, which also includes teams from Football Far North Coast, Football Mid North Coast, and Northern NSW Football – Northern Inland member zones.
There will be seven knockout rounds to decide the two Northern NSW Football representatives that qualify for the national round of 32.
Australia Cup fixtures
Saturday, February 18.
Demon Knights vs Coffs Coast Tigers. 1pm at Doody Park.
Port Macquarie United vs Maclean. 3pm at Dixie Park.
Inverell vs Woolgoolga United. 3pm at Inverell Sporting Complex.
Lake Cathie vs Sawtell. 3pm at Lake Cathie Sporting Complex.
Coffs City United vs Bangalow. 7pm at Forsyth Park.
Sunday, February 19.
Bellingen vs Oxley Vale Attunga. 1pm at Connell Park.
Alstonville vs Urunga. 2pm at Crawford Park.
Westlawn Tigers vs Northern Storm. 3pm at Barnier Park.
