The 2018 Fraternity Club Preseason Cup Premier League Conference kicked off on Thursday night with Cringila hosting the Corrimal Rangers in Group B.

Cringila opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through new signing Nuno Pires who lobbed the onrushing Daniel Arcaba from 25 metres out. The Lions doubled their lead a minute before halftime with Takao Teramoto tapping home from close range.

Corrimal pulled one back four minutes into the second half through Tim Wylie and while the Rangers had a strong second half the couldn't find an equaliser. The match finished 2-1 to Cringila.

On Friday night, reigning Fraternity Cup Champions, Wollongong United hosted local rivals South Coast United in the second Group B match. Wollongong United scored the only goal of the first half when former Kemblawarra Fury wideman Matthew McNab netted in the 25th minute.

McNab scored his second just seven minutes into the second half. The result was put beyond doubt in the 50th minute when marquee signing Nathan Elasi capitalised on a defensive error to make it 3-0.

The midday match on Sunday at Barrack Heights Sports Field pitted 2017 Illawarra Premier League Grand Final Champions, Port Kembla up against Fernhill who won the District League variant of the Fraternity Cup in 2017. This being a match from Group C.

Neither side was able to push ahead during a first half played in sweltering conditions. The opening goal of the match came through Jordan Hughes for Fernhill who hit a 25-metre thunderbolt into the top left corner of the net. Unfortunately for the Foxes, this goal kicked Port into gear and then proceeded to score five goals in under half an hour with Sandy Lowcock bagging a brace. The match finishing 5-1 in Port Kembla's favour.

Tarrawanna played Picton Rangers in the midday match on Sunday at Terry Reserve in the other Group C fixture. In an interesting twist, the Bluey's starting 11 featured three players who have been key for Picton in recent seasons in Brad Jones, Brad Durant and Daniel Goodhew.

Tarrawanna took the lead in the 6th minute through talisman Ricky Goodchild and that's how the score would remain until the break. The Blueys couldn't be stopped in the second half, finding the net on three occasions through Liam Unicomb, Jared Fish and former Wollongong United goal-getter Bradley Acev.

The final match at Terry Reserve saw two new coaches face off with Paul Carter's Albion Park White Eagles and George Antoniou's Wollongong Olympic (Antoniou also being the White Eagles coach through the second half of 2017).

The White Eagles took an early lead through Japanese attacker Hikaru Kawasakiya, however, Olympic managed a three-goal second half to win the match 3-0 with former Albion Park captain Vaughan Patterson scoring the first of the goals. The win sees Olympic lead Group A after the first round of matches.

Bulli played local rivals Woonona in the last match at Barrack Heights in the other Group A match. The 2017 Premier League Premiers dominated proceedings, however, the Sharks were resolute and managed to grind out a nil all draw. Coincidentally, these two sides meet during the group stage in last year's tournament where the match all finished goalless.

Click here for confirmed results, group standings and upcoming fixtures.

Fraternity Club Preseason Cup matches feature 35 minute halves.

Report and photo by Dylan Arvela, on Twitter @dylanarvela