Hume City’s pre-season is in full swing, with the club playing two practice matches in soccer’s National Premier League last week.
City took on fellow NPL sides Green Gully Cavaliers and North Geelong Warriors for a draw and win.
It drew 1-1 against the Cavaliers then beat the Warriors 2-1.
Coach Louie Acevski said his side still had work to do.
“We’re obviously a good way through pre-season and are pretty happy with how it’s gone so far.
“In both practice matches we were ordinary in one of the halves. Across the two games we’ve played 90 good minutes.”
Acevski said the matches had given him some indication of where the side is at.
“In match fitness and sharpness, we have work to do,” he said.
“The biggest indication it’s given us is where we are physically.
“We’ve been mixing it up and haven’t had our best 11 on the park together yet.”
The side which finished sixth last season with 12 wins has a number of additions.
Ballarat Red Devils striker Deng Aguek, Sydney United’s Ivan Pavlak, former Brisbane Roar winger Jai Ingham, defender Petar Franjic, as well as Marcos Schroen, Dean Tomeski, Calvin Mbarga have all joined.
“We’ve signed some good-quality young players with ambition hoping they’ll get into the starting 11,” Acevski said.
City will play three more games in the lead-up to the new season.
“We have a pre-season trip next weekend to Adelaide with two practice matches over there,” Acevski said.
“We play the Metro Stars, who won the NPL championship in Adelaide, and Para Hills Knights, who are also an NPL side.
“They’ll be good hit-outs and provide some bonding within the team. We should be fit and raring to go by the start of the season.”
Hume City kicks off its season against Port Melbourne Sharks at Broadmeadows Valley Stadium on February 22.
