NORTHERN Inland Football Premier League’s Northern and Southern Conference minor premiers – Joeys FC and Tamworth FC – were booted out of the 2014 competition on Saturday.
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A Ben Genardini goal was the difference when Oxley Vale Attunga beat Inverell’s Joeys FC 1-nil at the Inverell Sporting Complex and then South Armidale ended Tamworth FC’s premiership defence when it won their quarter-final 5-4 in a penalty shootout at Scully Park after the two sides were locked 2-all at fulltime and then 3-all after 30 minutes of extra time.
The Scorpions came back from a goal down three times to draw 3-all and then win on penalties when Richard Morris saved a Ben Davis spot kick in one of the five Tamworth FCattempts.
When Heath Milne stepped up to slot the winning penalty and race to the South Armidale supporters to celebrate, it provided an emotional finish to a see-sawing game.
“What a way to go,” Tamworth FC goalkeeper Troy Osborne said as he trooped off, beaten but unbowed after a horror week.
“That’s football,” shrugged stand-in Tamworth FC coach Darren MacKenzie after regular coach Wayne May had been stood down midweek following last weekend’s disgraceful all-in brawl.
MacKenzie copped plenty of attention from some South Armidale supporters throughout the game but shrugged the comments off with a smile.
“We’ll come back bigger and better next year,” MacKenzie promised.
“It’s been a tough ask to win three in a row this year though and with the huge change in personnel.
“All the boys gave their best today.”
Tamworth FC led 1-nil early after a Davis goal before South equalised with a Sterling Wylie goal.
Tamworth FC went ahead 2-1 when Kurt Barrow slotted home from close range but the Scorpions levelled when Ben Wright converted a penalty and that sent the game into 15 minutes each way extra time.
Tamworth FC again took the lead when Davis was brought down in the box.
He slotted home the spot kick to make it 3-2 but in the second period of extra time Wright latched onto a mishit long shot to slip a foot in and guide home a third equaliser.
He also scored South’s first penalty shot after Scott May had given Tamworth FC a 1-nil start to the shootout.
Travis Beard then converted his spot kick for Tamworth FC after being given a second attempt and Jake Pamment equalised for South.
Tim Smith blasted home for Tamworth FC and Jack Graham equalised before Davis’s shot was saved by Morris.
Cody Watts made it 4-3 in South’s favour and Kelly Nystrom levelled up at 4-all to leave Milne the final attempt .
He made no mistake, to drill the Scorpions into a semi-final against North Companions at Scully Park next Saturday.
“To come back three times was a massive effort,” Scorpions coach Michael Lord said.
“The boys really dug deep.
“They had us under a lot of pressure today. They are a good side, give them credit , they are strong all over the park.”
Lord thought his replacements came off the bench well to give his side plenty, with Milne and Cody Watts impressive.