United supporters would have understandably given Football Victoria’s live stream a double take on Tuesday when it was announced the club had drawn Melbourne City as its first opponent, but fear not, United will not be punching above its weight class against an A-League side - rather playing against an identical namesake club from State League Four West.
The Bendigo Amateur Soccer League champions are set to host the eighth-placed SL4W side on a date yet to be officially confirmed, but is slated for any day between Thursday, February 12 and Monday, February 16.
Two hundred and twenty five clubs are set to face off in this year’s tournament, with 114 sides from State League men’s divisions four to seven, as well as regional and metropolitan competitions, placed in the round one ball draw.
The 18 teams first drawn were handed a bye for round one, before the remaining 96 teams were drawn for their fixture.
State League divisions two and three entered the draw to be round two opponents following the initial round one selections.
Should Shepparton United defeat Melbourne City, it will play Brandon Park Soccer Club in round two, a side recently relegated from State League One South-East after it finished second last in its region’s premier division.
That fixture will be played about a fortnight after round one, providing ample time for Shepparton United to recover should it get past Melbourne City in its opening clash.
Other BASL Central Victorian League 1 sides set to play in the Dockerty Cup include FC Eaglehawk, La Trobe University and Strathdale.
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