PRE-SEASON football matches were in full swing across the region in preparation for the 2023 football season which kicks off on 22 April.

Coffs Coast Tigers defeated Urunga 1-0 in the NCF Men’s Premier League reserve grade match at Polwarth Drive last Saturday.

There has been a hive of activity at the Coffs Coast Tigers who are on track for a record breaking year with 2023 player registrations already outperforming 2022.

211 players have signed up for the 2023 season at the Tigers, which is a ten percent increase on the whole of last year.

Urunga have re-entered the men’s top flight competition and numbers have been bolstered at the football club.

151 players have registered at Urunga FC so far this season, which is a 23 percent increase on last year’s total for the whole year.

Tigers goalkeeper Lex Weiley provided match insights into the 1-0 pre-season victory.

“Max Ellison scored the winner in a tight contest with both teams having multiple chances at goal,” he said.

“The goal came from a quick counter attack starting from the back, three passes quickly executed set us through for the goal which was finished clinically.

“We started the first fifteen minutes well, keeping the ball and moving it around and playing our style of football.

“After a few rushed passes and being caught out, Urunga pressed us high keeping us in our third but we were able to defend off the pressure and remain composed in playing it around the back.

“In the second half we dominated the ball with Urunga having a handful of chances .

“We were able to keep them off the ball and play around them showing off our ability to keep the ball and hold the opposition off,” said Weiley.

After winning the Challenge Cup in Nambucca, Weiley is pleased with this year’s preparation.

“Our preparation has been well organised this year as we try to perfect our style and work hard whilst having fun.

“With strong numbers at training it’s a competitive environment in which everyone is putting in 100 percent and fully committed to ensure that we can do our best this season.

“I am keen for the season to start, we’ve been eager to get out on the field and get off to the best start we possibly can and show our quality and what we can do this season,” said Weiley.

By David WIGLEY