Fergie’s first-half penalty earned the Mushies a 1-nil win in the McDonald’s-sponsored PL preliminary final and a grand final berth against South Armidale.

It was a second successive finals away win.

They had beaten Inverell’s Joeys FC in Inverell 1-nil the previous week from a Ben Genardini goal and repeated the 1-nil away win with Fergie’s calm conversion.

While the Mushies’ second grade side lost 1-nil to Tamworth FC earlier in the day, its first grade side held firm against the home side.

“It was a cut and thrust sort of game,” OVA coach Tim Coates said.

“Both sides attacked throughout and it was played in good spirit although a few players did get cards for what I thought was good, hard football.”

Coates made just one substitution, bringing Lachlan Browne on for Matt Dunn late in the game.

“Matty was stuffed – he’d run himself into the ground,” Coates said.

“They used all three of their subs. 

“I thought the game changed when they brought on Michael Griffiths.

“He’s very dangerous – can score a goal.”

Lucily he didn’t and OVA edged through for a second successive one-goal win.

Coates thought Cameron Skewes was best on ground, having a big game at the back along with Glenn McKnight.

“I also thought Ryan Searl was excellent and Dan Cannon had probably his best game of the season.

“It was just a great team effort.”

Jason Boundy was one of North’s best again, along with Brad Dunham and Jim Birmingham.