The Wolves will sit out the opening round of the cup on March 2, having received a bye first up.

But they have drawn FFV state league four club Western Eagles in round two at Albion’s Polish Club on March 9.

The tie looms as a stern challenge for the Wolves against an opponent with a decorated history in Melbourne soccer circles.

Western Eagles’ origins stretch back to 1950, when Melbourne was experiencing an influx of European immigrants after World War II.

The influx sparked the creation of a soccer club for the Polish community and by 1960 it was regularly dominating the Victorian State League.

The club has undergone name changes but remains closely linked with the Melbourne Polish community.

It will contest the “west” section of state league four against high-profile Geelong clubs Bell Park and Geelong Rangers.

Warrnambool Wolves committee member Carlos Del Rio said the club was finalising its side for the March 9 tie.

Del Rio said he hoped FFV would allocate the club a home match down the track after playing three away ties in three years.

“We’d love to have a home match for the first round,” he said. 

“But (playing away) is going to give us a bit of incentive and impetus to get a round three game in Warrnambool.”

The Wolves will also host Lara in a pre-season practice match at their Harris Street home ground on March 10.

Meanwhile, the Warrnambool and District Soccer League (WDSL) season starts on April 21.

Three Wolves teams and sides from Hamilton, Camperdown and Deakin University will contest the WDSL on Sundays during winter. Officials hope to run a four-team under 15 competition on Sundays, while a women’s program will go ahead on Mondays.

The Wolves will also send junior representative sides to FFV country championships in June and July.

afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au