JOEYS FC arrived in Tamworth without four or five of their top first graders but left with a four-goal feast to continue their table-topping Northern Inland Football Premier League season.
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A 4-nil win over below-strength Oxley Vale Attunga Mushrooms was a result Joeys FC coach Steve Gadd had not contemplated before the Round 11 match at Marius Street.
However his below-strength side surprised him with their performance, especially its start, banging in four goals in the first 20 to 25 minutes.
It was also a great day for winless Namoi United, the combined Narrabri and Wee Waa side securing a 1-all draw with South Armidale at Wee Waa.
There were also draws between Gunnedah United and East Armidale (1-all) in Gunnedah and Demon Knights and Tamworth FC (2-all) in Armidale.
Moree FC kept its semi-final hopes alive with a 2-nil win over Guyra United in Moree and North Armidale remained equal top with Joeys FC on the Northern Conference ladder after a 4-1 win over Gunnedah Hawks in Gunnedah.
The North Armidale Redmen also have 25 points but trail Joeys on goal difference.
Brent Pedlow scored two of the Joey goals in the big win against OVA with Rod Prentice and Ash Smith also on target.
“It was a pretty solid start,” said Steve Gadd.
“I was happy to score four but even more happy to keep them to nought.
“We had four or five out today but OVA had a fair few out as well. This win highlighted the depth we now have.”
He thought centre back Ben Ashton was outstanding with Callum Dolby and Ash Smith also playing well pushed into forward positions.
Dadd was also delighted with the efforts of Rod Prentice and Harley Parker out wide.
OVA coach Tim Coates was disappointed with the result but not the effort from his side.
“They (Joeys) scored all four goals in the first 20 minutes with the wind,” Coates told The Leader.
“It then settled into an even, hard match.
“Joeys were quick out of the gates, are well coached and deserved their victory.”
n James Rodriguez scored an exquisite goal as Colombia beat Uruguay 2-0 to set up a World Cup quarter-final against hosts Brazil.
Pre-match build-up had been dominated by Luis Suarez’s four-month ban for biting, but by the final whistle in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium, there was only one name on everyone’s lips.
After scoring in every group game, Rodriguez broke the deadlock shortly before the half hour with a breathtaking strike, chesting the ball down and volleying home from 25 metres.
The 22-year-old Monaco playmaker added a second early in the second half, sending him to the top of the scorers chart at the tournament with five goals and confirming his status as a World Cup hot property.
Rodriguez’s goals took Colombia into the quarter-finals for the first time, meaning the northern Brazilian city of Fortaleza will turn completely yellow when Jose Pekerman’s side play the hosts on July 4.
