The two sides go into the game after contrasting results last week.

Reigning premiers Tamworth FC, who beat the Mushies 1-nil at Ken Chillingworth Oval last season, overwhelmed Moree FC late last week to register a 3-1 win after trailing 1-nil for 60 minutes or so.

OVA lost 3-2 to North Companions at Cross Park last week when Will Kam scored a late long-range goal to keep his Men In Black unbeaten and on top of the PL’s Southern Conference.

“It’s an important game for us,” TFC coach Wayne May said.

“We have to step up against them. 

“If we can win that it would really put them behind.”

Tamworth FC was dreadful for the majority of the first half and improved in the second half with some bright performances from Travis Beard, Chris Hughes, Kelly Nystrom and Damien Puyenbroek.

Nystrom and Hughes were making their FC debuts, with Hughes scoring twice in second grade and then coming on as a second-half replacement to score the equaliser after great work from Beard and then the winner for a big four-goal debut.

OVA have a win and a loss from their first two games after fielding below-strength sides to start the new season.

“We’ve got five players to come back,” coach Tim Coates said after the loss to North.

“Tamworth FC will be tough but North were very good. 

“Whoever beats them will be doing well.”

North Companions head to Gunnedah to play the Richard Grant-coached Gunnedah United at Wolseley Park tomorrow while the Gunnedah Hawks, who thrashed United 5-nil in their local derby, are away in Inverell against Joeys FC.

Narrabri/Wee Waa hosts Moree FC in the other Southern Conference while East Armidale hosts Guyra United at Doody Park in their Northern Conference match tomorrow and South Armidale Scorpions play North Armidale at Armidale Sportsground.

All PL clubs should remember to fax (67667631), telephone (67681234) or email (geoff.newling@fairfaxmedia.com.au) their match report sheets to The Leader by 7pm Saturday night.