Coach Darrel Smith said he is feeling confident as Moree Services Club Senior Soccer teams prepare to head into round one of the 2018 Namoi League.
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“The club has drawn a strong number of players this year. There are about 30 people who are interested in playing, who will be divided into two teams of 15 players. The number will give a good enough spread and mean there will be enough reserves on the bench,” he said.
With a couple of trial games under their belt, the teams will face off Wee Waa at the oval near Moree Services Club this Saturday.
While Smith is hopeful to take both his teams to the top of the ladder, he said the first game was about finalising the teams.
“Once a person plays for one team, they can’t switch to the other. This weekend will be about placing players in the right spot and seeing what works best,” Smith said.
Centre-half Ken Wright, centre-back Adam Ha and centre-forward Alex Madden will make a return.
“These boys have been playing since they were juniors. They will make a strong spine up the middle of the field,” Smith said.
Both Moree Services Club Senior Soccer teams have been training Tuesday and Thursday nights, and have worked through drills and exercises to ready them for the first round.
“I want to work on communication, ball-possession and combinations. If we can get those right, we’ll have a fair shot at winning the competition,” Smith said.
Smith has been coaching the soccer team on and off for ten years and said he could always rely on the calibre of the players.
“Once the teams have played a few games, the players will feel more comfortable with each other and this will show in their teamwork.”
The first round will kick off at 3pm at the oval near the Moree Services Club on Saturday.