Warriors gather steam for NPL1 after Community Cup win

NORTH Geelong Warriors’ 2-0 Geelong Community Cup Final win over Corio Soccer Club will hopefully set the tone for a good start to the NPL1 season in a week’s time.

The Warriors secured its 22nd pre-season community cup in front of an estimated 400 spectators on Sunday at Bell Park Sports Club in Batesford, defeating State League 1 side Corio on the back of goals from George Ellis and Charlie Fleming.

Warriors captain Ryan Oppermann said winning the tournament was nice, but the newly promoted NPL side had bigger goals in mind.

“Everyone knows this is a final, you can have all the tactics in the world, but at the end of the day it comes down to hard work and doing things like getting to the ball first.

“We did that in leaps and bounds, I feel, but for us preparation and winning is a mindset, and we want to win every time we go out onto the pitch leading up to February 17.

“So, to do well in the pre-season tournament like the Geelong Community Cup, allows us to look forward to Round 1 of the season and get off on the right foot.”

The Warriors officially start their first NPL1 campaign in six years on February 17 against Bentleigh Greens before the club hosts its top-flight home opener on February 25 against Port Melbourne at Elcho Park.

Barwon Soccer Club defeated Bell Park in the third-place playoff earlier in the day 4-0, with Bell Park losing a man in the first half, similarly to Corio.

Fellow cup competitors Geelong Rangers will feature in the State League 2 competition, Geelong Soccer Club are lined up to play in NPL3, while Bell Park and Barwon SC will both take part in State League 4.

North Geelong captain Ryan Oppermann prepares to launch a corner kick.