Western NSW Football operations and development manager Andrew Fearnley says everything is running smoothly in the lead-up to the first ever Hyundai A-League trial match to be played in Dubbo.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He said both the Central Coast Mariners and Wellington Phoenix squads had been happy with their arrangements and he was quietly confident a big crowd would turn out for the clash.
“Since the teams arrived everything has been going to plan,” Fearnley said yesterday.
“Wellington have been happy with their arrangements and the Central Coast have been quite happy with the response from all the things we’ve done with them including the coaches forum, coaching clinic and academy squad training.”
Dubbo City Council has been busy transforming Apex Oval from a bumpy rugby league and rugby union paddock to a flat surface suitable for top-level soccer.
Intermittent wet weather has threatened to degrade the surface but with the use of all sorts of techniques including some help from the cricket community with rollers and covers for the bare patches, the pitch has remained in satisfactory condition.
Fearnley is just hoping for more clear skies today.
“We are now just putting the final touches on the stadium and hoping for some nice weather tomorrow for a big crowd to come and support a big event,” he said.
“I think our target is still about 4000 and from the ticket sales and interest in the area and other towns we’re reasonably confident of achieving that.”
There will be no public parking inside the grounds of Apex Oval. The most convenient area to park will be along Chelmsford Street and the disused railway line immediately to the west of the ground.
Patrons can gain entry to Apex Oval from Cobra Street, Cassia Street off Coral Crescent and Kokoda Place off Wingewarra Street.
General admission tickets can be purchased from the three entry points for $10 or $5 concession.
The first match will see the Westside Panthers and Dubbo FC Bulls first grade teams play their round 12 Western Premier League match at 3pm.
This will be followed by the first ever A-League trial to be played in Dubbo at 6pm.
Despite the event being a soccer match, the Macquarie Raiders Rugby League Club will be actively involved in the event with the club running the canteen facilities.
