TAREE Wildcats and Kempsey Saints have agreed to postpone this weekend's Football Mid North Coast Premier League opening game.
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The Wildcats have played involved in cricket finals while Saints have an FFA Cup match on Saturday.
The Wildcats are scheduled to have the bye next weekend, meaning the side won't make it onto the field for the first time this season until Saturday April 13 for the clash against Port Saints at Port Macquarie.
Taree won't play a home game until Saturday May 4.
However, captain-coach Jordan Howard said the two week hiatus is timely.
"We've been light-on for numbers at training and we will have players involved with cricket this weekend,'' Howard said.
"We can work on our fitness now leading into our first game.''
He said the clubs haven't worked out a date when tomorrow's postponed game will be played.
"I'd say it will be midweek,'' Howard added.
Howard is confident the Wildcats will be competitive this season, although he concedes there is a gap between the top three sides, Macleay Valley, Wallis Lake and Port United and the rest of the competition. The majority of Taree's side from last season will be back although striker Ricky Campbell is a loss.
On the positive side representative goal keeper Curtis Jones is right after enduring a 2018 punctuated by injury and illness.
"We'll be sniffing around fourth or fifth again,'' Howard said.
This will be his first season as captain-coach.
Nine clubs will again contest the premier league this year.
In other first round games tomorrow Port United will meet Camden Haven at Port Macquarie while Wauchope will host Wallis Lake.
Macleay Valley will be at home to Tuncurry-Forster with Port Saints also having the weekend off with the bye.
It has been confirmed that this year's grand final will be played at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium.
The game was held at the Harry Elliott Oval at Tuncurry last year.
Football Mid North Coast's Southern League will also play the first round tomorrow with the Southern League women's premiership starting next Friday night.