Both teams are in form and coming off big away finals wins.

North Armidale beat Tamworth FC 2-nil in the brawl debacle in Tamworth two weeks ago while OVA went to Inverell and beat Joeys FC 1-nil.

“Both teams are in good form,”  North Armidale coach Andy Lennon said.

“It’s going to be a difficult game because OVA are playing good football and we did play some good football too in that game against FC.”

The Redmen will be missing Anil Rajanathan and Declan Druitt. Both are away overseas but they do get Glenn Pincham back.

“He broke his arm five or six weeks ago,” Lennon said.

“He cut the cast off himself but we made him go and have an X-ray and he’s been cleared to play. 

“Anil and Declan are massive losses but we do have the people to fill in.”

Lennon’s formula for swapping and changing players during the season enables him to have a strong and interchangeable squad of 14 to 16.

It enables him to cater for times such as this when two of the key players are missing.

OVA also has two first grade stars overseas – Adam Watson and Tom Hungerford.

OVA coach Tim Coates also has a strong squad to cater for such contingencies.

“Adam is a class player and has been scoring a few goals,” Coates said.

“But we have got some good young players too.

“And both teams have quality players. 

“If someone makes a mistake both sides have players with the ability to punish you.”

OVA’s Ben Genardini, Brendan Fergie and Luke Purcell, along with Watson, are amongst the top eight scorers in the McDonald’s-sponsored Premier League.

“Luke was crook as a dog last week in Inverell too,” Coates said.

“But we’re all fit and had a couple of good, light training runs this week.

“We worked on a bit of structure mainly and are looking forward to taking both grades up to Norths.

“And we do enjoy playing North. 

“Andy is a very good coach and they have some good young players too as well as Willow (Grieves), Brad Dunham and Jason Boundy to lead them around.”