TAMWORTH FC might be the McDonald’s Premier League reigning premiers and shooting for a third successive title, but that will count for little when they tackle their most challenging two days of the season in Armidale and Tamworth this weekend.
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The Wayne May-coached side heads up the highway to Armidale today to play South Armidale Scorpions at Armidale Sportsground before facing Northern Conference leaders Joeys FC in Tamworth tomorrow.
Souths are coming off a 4-2 win over Gunnedah United in Gunnedah last Saturday while the Joeys are heading the Northern Conference and smarting from a 4-nil drubbing from North Companions in Tamworth last Saturday.
FC’s win over Easts, 1-nil in both grades, was a tough assignment for the sky blues as May had just 18 players at his command for both games.
Bad enough for any away games but disastrous for home games.
The injury crisis was heightened by the fact skipper and club stalwart Rob Jeffery was red-carded for swearing in the second grade game!
While the expletive wasn’t clear around the ground it earned Jeffery an early shower under the recent edict from NIF.
And it means he will miss today’s trip to Armidale but be right for tomorrow’s home clash with the Joeys.
May was “pretty happy” his side managed two wins last Saturday.
“We don’t have too many on the park at the moment,” May told The Leader.
“Making it worse was Brent (May) picking up a fifth yellow card too (against East) and will also be out.
“It’s going to make it hard enough for Saturday’s game against South let alone backing up on Sunday against Joeys FC.”
May will be looking towards Bart Twyford and Kelly Nystrom again after their recent performances at the back for FC.
“Bart was our best (against East) and his partner in crime, Kelly, also played well too.
“Travis Beard had half a game in second grade and then ran his butt off in a full first grade game.
“It’s going to be tough but everyone has been getting together and doing their job.”
That will mean “double time” this weekend.
o In another PL matches today Namoi United host Guyra United at Captain Cook Oval, Wee Waa, East Armidale is at home to OVA (Armidale Sportsground), Joeys FC play Moree FC at Inverell Sporting Complex today before tomorrow’s Tamworth FC showdown, North Companions host Demon Knights (Marius Street), North Armidale are at home on Phil Wheaton Oval to Gunnedah United and Gunnedah Hawks have the bye.