The Newcastle Jets will face F3 rivals the Central Coast Mariners in a friendly match at Scully Park, Tamworth in September.
The Hunter Ports Newcastle Jets will return to Tamworth this pre-season to face F3 rivals the Central Coast Mariners in a friendly match at Scully Park on Sunday, September 29.
The match will be the Jets- final pre-season fixture before their opening round A-League clash with Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on October 11.
Jets head coach Gary van Egmond said he is looking forward to taking an F3 Derby clash to Australia-s Country Music Capital.
“It-s starting to become a bit of an annual fixture for us and we-re looking forward to heading back up there again this pre-season,” van Egmond said.
“The people of Tamworth are very accommodating and we were very well looked after during our last visit.
““It-s great for the people of Tamworth to be able to see an F3 Derby match, especially with the Mariners being the defending Champions.
“Last year we played the defending Champions Brisbane up there and this year it is the Mariners, so it-s great for football fans up that way to be able see such high-quality matches.”
Van Egmond said the match will be a crucial part of the Jets- build-up to the start of the 2013/14 A-League season.
“It-s our last hit-out before the season starts, so it is going to be an important part of our preparation,” he said.
“Central Coast are obviously the reigning Champions, so it-s going to be a very high level of competition and a good test to see where we-re at.”
Jets CEO Robbie Middleby said it was a great opportunity for the Jets to further engage with fans in the Northern NSW region.
“The Jets aren-t just a team for Newcastle and the Hunter, but the entire Northern NSW region,” Middleby said.
“This is another great chance to engage with our Members and supporters in regional areas.
“It was a brilliant experience for us in Tamworth last pre-season and we-re excited to be going back there.”
Newcastle Jets v Central Coast Mariners
Scully Park, Tamworth
Sunday, September 29
Kick-off 2pm
