OXLEY Vale Attunga Mushrooms warmed up for another McDonald’s Premier League northern conference trip to Armidale this weekend with last Saturday’s challenging trek to Guyra.
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On a cold and wet day, the Mushies came away with a 4-2 win against Guyra United as they prepare to tackle a North Armidale side which accounted for North Companions 5-nil in Tamworth on Saturday.
“It was a tough game, played in tough conditions,”OVA coach Tim Coates said.
“It rained, it snowed, it sleeted, it was cold and the wind was blustery.”
In short, a miserable day but one warmed by the two-goal win which enabled the Mushies to join North Companions on top of the Southern Conference first grade table.
“I don’t begrudge anyone coming here and getting points,” Coates added.
“Guyra have a couple of old heads, with some good young players. They played some reasonable football.”
The Mushies were spearheaded by Adam Watson and Luke Purcell, who both grabbed doubles although Watson could have bagged a hat-trick or more with a little more luck.
It was also a good day for Jake McGoldrick. He bagged six goals in the 11-nil second grade win by the Mushies.
There were some other big wins too, with South Armidale Scorpions stinging Moree FC with a 10-1 win at Armidale Sportsground.
Demon Knights beat Narrabri/Wee Waa 7-nil and Inverell’s Joeys FC had a 4-all draw with Gunnedah United in Gunnedah.
East Armidale also travelled to Gunnedah to play the Hawks and returned home with a 4-3 win while North Armidale Redmen beat North Companions 5-nil at Marius Street in Tamworth.
North Armidale led 1-nil at halftime before piling on four second-half goals to humble the previously unbeaten Men In Black.
North Companions coach Gavin Thompson was gravely disappointed with the second-half performance from his side.
His side wasted numerous first-half chances after dominating the first 45 minutes.
“We lost 5-nil but it wasn’t a 5-nil game,” Thompson said.
Down 1-nil, he thought his side had scored a legitimate equaliser.
“They had a player on the post but we were adjudged offside,” Thompson said.
“If we score that, it’s a different game. But they played well and we gave away some simple goals in the second half. Some simple mistakes, good for them, bad for us.”
Club stalwart Ben Todd was best for North Companions “especially in the first half.”
North Companions must regroup quickly as they have a tough trip to Armidale to play the South Armidale Scorpions who had a big nine-goal win over Moree.