Photo / Manukau United Facebook

The Northern Region Football season begins today with Manukau United Football Club tackling Hamilton’s Melville United at Gower Park in Hamilton from 3pm in their season opener this afternoon.

Manukau United, formed in 2018 from the merger of Manukau City and Mangere United, is the highest ranked football club in the Counties Manukau region, playing in the Northern Region Premier division.

Manurewa AFC battles Mt Albert-Ponsonby AFC at Jellicoe Park in Manurewa from 3pm in LOTTO men’s division one action.

Franklin United is at home against Uni-Mount Bohemian AFC at Drury Sports Complex in LOTTO men’s division two games while Beachlands Maraetai squares off with Northland FC at Te Puru Park in the same division.

Papatoetoe AFC – the third local team in division two – faces Greenhithe Catimba at Murdoch Park.

Papakura City FC will play Ranui Swanson Football Club at home at McLennan Park in Papakura in the AFF/NFF Conference while division rivals South Auckland Rangers FC will line-up against Te Atatu FC at Rongomai Sports Centre.