Ballarat City will host the Casey Comets, and Ballarat SC welcomes Lara United in the third round of the Nike FC Cup.

A record number of teams registered to contest the women's state knockout cup in 2021.

Ballarat City progressed to the next round of the competition with an impressive 2-0 win against Geelong Rangers on Sunday.

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Goals to Maddy Ogden and Issy Johnstone were enough to edge the side over the line in its first competitive hit-out in over 18 months.

Life isn't going to get easier for City, with a tough clash against Casey Comets looming on the horizon.

Casey Comets grace the Victorian Premier League Women's ranks - two divisions up from Ballarat City.

The Comets posted a 3-1 win against the Eltham Redbacks in the second round.

On paper, the draw favours Ballarat SC, who meets a fellow state league side in Lara United, though the Cup hopefuls will be wary of becoming complacent after a gritty win at the weekend.

Ballarat scored two first-half goals, through Tina Benoit and captain Alyson Pym, but had to withstand a late Mazenod comeback to secure a 2-1 win and move past the second round.

Lara United enters the match in hot form with an 86th-minute goal seeing the side home against Beaumaris at the weekend.

It was a tougher assignment than the opening round when Lara United coasted to a 14-0 win against Brimbank Stallions.

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