FOOTBALL
By Geoff Newling
North Companions 2
Demon Knights 0
NORTH ARMIDALE 3
Oxley Vale Attunga 0
South Armidale 2
East ARMILIDALE 1
North Armidale Reds outplayed Oxley Vale Attunga on a bog track, South Armidale snuck past winless East Armidale and North Companions stunned Demon Knights with a two-goal win in Armidale when round 11 New England Credit Union Premier League was played on Saturday.
Darryl Smith’s beleaguered North Companions won a second game in succession when they handed Demon Knights their second loss in succession at Rologas Field in Armidale.
Strikes from the orange-booted Mitch Carrington and Jarryd May were enough to give the reigning champions victory.
“The boys played how we want them to play,” Smith said.
“And we had the same side on the paddock for the second week in a row for the first time this season.”
Both Companion goals were supplied by perfect crosses from Caleb Richardson, the first for Carrington to head home and the second for May to slot in.
“We didn’t let them (DK) play their own game, had them chasing us. It was a game where we took our chances, probably had four and scored twice while they probably had four and came up with nothing.”
Smith thought Caleb Richardson was outstanding and along with May, Carrington, Tom Hungerford and Adam Lole spearheaded the side’s win.
Competition leaders North Armidale were impressive in their 3-1 success against OVA Mushrooms on a heavy Jack Woolaston Oval in Tamworth.
It didn’t stop young striker Chris Kelly though, he pounced for his first ever hat trick.
Chris Fenton scored the Mushies lone reply in a performance assistant coach Mark Goddard said was
disappointing.
“They were the better team, full of energy, that was the deciding factor,” Goddard said.
Fenton, Gus Bruno and goalkeeper Troy Keyte were best for OVA while the Reds had a host of good players, including new recruit, Irishman John Hickey.
His arrival to work at UNE from Holland is a major bonus for North Armidale. He and hat trick hero Kelly and Tim Purser were standouts, said coach John Edmunds.
“John’s going to be a very handy pickup for us,” Edmunds said.
In Armidale South Armidale Scorpions coach Craig Wright was disappointed with his side’s 2-1 win over East
Armidale.
A George Palmer penalty and Michael Patterson goal gave the Scorpions a 2-nil lead before Dave Maloney’s well taken goal 10 minutes from time ensured a dramatic finish.
“It was our worst performance of the year,” Craig Wright said.
Jason Bosward was best for the Scorpions while East Armidale coach, Ian Holmes, thought all of his side dug in and made it an entertaining game.
PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE: North Armidale 26, Oxley Vale Attunga 20, Demon Knights 20, South Armidale 18, North Companions 11, East Armidale 0.