The Redmen reserves hammered a tiring Gunnedah United 6-nil after leading 1-nil at halftime.

Michael Griffiths and Elijah Barnes both scored twice with Budi Prura-Watts and Hugh Reckord snaring the other two.

“We were a little slow in the first half,” Reds second grade coach Neil Wheaton said.

“The second half we went up a couple of gears and played well.”

 Griffiths and  Barnes excelled for Norths along with Luke Burton, who was solid at the back.

Wheaton also had praise for Gunnedah United goalkeeper Aiden James.

“He was amazing,” Wheaton said. “He pulled off some freak saves.

Gunnedah United coach Richard Grant was proud of his side’s efforts despite the six-goal difference.

“We played as well as we have done all year,” he said.

“Especially in the first half. All the boys were happy to have a kick together and did quite well. 

“It just became a bit of a blow out at the end when they scored three or four goals in the final 15 minutes.”

Wheaton and first grade coach Andy Lennon will have two strong squads to play this week although Lennon might be calling on a few of Wheaton’s boys.

“We’re losing Anil Rajanathan and Declan Druitt,” Wheaton said.

“Anil’s going overseas with his family and Declan booked a holiday earlier this year thinking the football would all be over.

“Anil’s loss is a massive blow for us.

“He was real good against Tamworth FC. Other than that, we’ll be at full strength.”

Oxley Vale Attunga also has two sides left in Premier League contention after its second grade side beat North Companions 4-3 in Sunday’s elimination final at Scully Park.

Jacob McGoldrick scored a double for the Mushies while Kyle Steel and Adam Sweeney also scored.

OVA led 2-nil at half time but North Companions hit back to level up at 2-all and then 3-all before McGoldrick provided the matchwinner.

“Three of our goals from Jacob, Adam and Kyle were three of the best I’ve seen all year,” OVA coach Tim Coates said.