James Murphy
A FIRST glimpse into winter sport will be on show this weekend when the Limestone Coast soccer pre-season carnival takes place at Casadio Park.
The annual carnival – which replaced the previous pre-season cup format – will have both the men and women’s senior teams compete for bragging rights prior to the Premiership Cup kick off on April 20-21.
Again the event will take place at the home of International Soccer Club, being the only facility with two functional playing pitches.
This allows for both men and women to compete on the same day at the same venue, with spectators treated to a full day of action with an inclusive atmosphere.
Games will be shortened and it will be expected to see players rotated throughout the day as teams utilise the chance to try different combinations or tactics.
However, at the end of it all there is a cup on the line and there will be plenty of incentive to claim the pre-season honours and make a statement leading into the main season.
Last year the carnival came down to the wire in the men’s competition, with the final game of the day between Gambier Centrals and International to decide the result.
Ultimately it was Inter who prevailed and with the victory secured the overall honours.
In the women’s event Apollo was the team to beat, progressing through the day undefeated.
The two sides are expected to be near the front again, but there is no shortage of talent across the league.
Winning teams will earn a trophy and a cash prize, which adds some extra incentive to perform well.
The first games kick off at 10am on Saturday.
PRE-SEASON CARNIVAL DRAW
SENIOR MEN (All games on Pitch 1) – Naracoorte v Blue Lake, 10am; Millicent v Apollo, 10.35am; Gambier Centrals v International, 11.10am; Millicent v Naracoorte, 11.45am; International v Blue Lake, 12.20pm; Apollo v Gambier Centrals, 12.55pm; Naracoorte v International, 1.30pm; Gambier Centrals v Millicent, 2.05pm; Blue Lake v Apollo, 2.40pm; Gambier Centrals v Naracoorte, 3.15pm; Apollo v International, 3.50pm; Millicent v Blue Lake, 4.25pm; Naracoorte v Apollo, 5pm; Blue Lake v Gambier Centrals, 5.35pm; International v Millicent, 6.10pm; Final – first place v second place, 7.45pm.
SENIOR WOMEN (All minor round games on Pitch 2) – Naracoorte v Blue Lake, 10am; Millicent v Apollo, 10.35am; Gambier Centrals v International, 11.10am; Millicent v Naracoorte, 11.45am; International v Blue Lake, 12.20pm; Apollo v Gambier Centrals, 12.55pm; Naracoorte v International, 1.30pm; Gambier Centrals v Millicent, 2.05pm; Blue Lake v Apollo, 2.40pm; Gambier Centrals v Naracoorte, 3.15pm; Apollo v International, 3.50pm; Millicent v Blue Lake, 4.25pm; Naracoorte v Apollo, 5pm; Blue Lake v Gambier Centrals, 5.35pm; International v Millicent, 6.10pm; Final (played on Pitch 1) – first place v second place, 7pm.
