The Michael Lord-coached Scorpions have been dancing a tightrope for the past month or so, needing to win their last few games just to ensure a finals berth from the Premier League’s Northern Conference.

“It’s been sudden death for us since the start of the finals series and before that with the last couple of competition games,”  Lord said yesterday.

“We had to win just to finish third or fourth in the Northern Conference.

“Then the last two finals matches have been knockout games.”

A tough first-final victory over Gunnedah United ensured a match against Southern Conference minor premiers Tamworth FC last Saturday, a game they won after extra time and a penalty shootout.

Behind three times, they came back to draw 2-all in normal time and 3-all in extra time before winning the penalty shootout 5-4.

So they know how to win in testing circumstances.

And the Scorpions will be tested again today as they return to Scully Park without two key men.

“Ben Wright and Jake Pamment are both out,” Lord said.

“Ben’s overseas and Jake has his sister’s wedding.

“That will stretch us a little bit but we have some good quality players coming up from second grade.”

The Scorpions’ second grade  plays North Armidale in  a semi-final tomorrow.

“Jake will be back for the grand final if we make it but Ben won’t be,” Lord said.

Last week Wright scored two goals in the 3-all draw and then converted one of the penalty shots. Jake Pamment also scored from the penalty spot in the shootout.

“We’ve just got to learn to win without Ben,” Lord said of the little forward’s natural goal -scoring instincts.

“The boys have been very enthusiastic at training this week and are looking forward to the challenge.

“They want to go that little extra further. 

“North Companions play a structured game and we’ll have to be at our best to win.”

After finishing second in the Southern Conference, North Companions went to Inverell and ground out a 1-nil win to earn a week off.

South Armidale went the other way, beating Gunnedah United 4-3 in the quarter-final before an extra-time penalty shootout win over Tamworth FC last week.

NC coach Gavin Thompson believes that South Armidale will be buoyed by last week’s good win.

“They came back from a goal down three times.”

“But it only has to take one goal.”

The Tamworth side is  looking to win the game in the middle in both attack and defence.

“We will stick to our usual passing game,” Thompson said. 

“We want to close their mid- field down and stop their supply to the front.”

The coach is hoping Will Camm can find a bit of room at the right end.

“He is a big game player and loves the extra responsibility.”

Kick-off will be 3pm at Scully Park, with North Armidale hosting Oxley Vale Attunga at the same time in the other final at Phil Wheaton Park.

OVA reserves will play before their top grade in an all- Tamworth semi-final in Armidale, with the other semi an all-Armidale affair between South and North at the Sportsground at 3pm tomorrow.