In Tamworth, East Armidale began their season with an away double at North Companions’ Marius Street ground, winning 1-nil in first grade thanks to a second-half goal from Adam Lennon and 2-1 in second grade following strikes from Eric Lemessurier and Kieran Davies.

“It was a good day for the club,” East Armidale coach Mark Gwynne said.

Rhys McIntosh was North Companions’ lone scorer on the day.

Also in Tamworth at Johnson Field, Tamworth FC hosted Armidale’s Demon Knights and the Darryl Smith-coached side won 1-nil after Demon Knights won second grade 1-nil.

At Moree, the home side fell to North Armidale United Redmen, 4-2 in first grade and 6-2 in second grade, while Namoi United also had a losing home day to start the season at Hogan Oval, Narrabri.

Inverell’s Joeys FC came calling under new coach Jackson Haussler and won first grade 6-1 and second grade 4-1.

South Armidale weren’t as successful in their trip away to Gunnedah.

Playing United on their home Wolseley Park ground, the Scorpions lost both grades, 2-nil in seconds and 5-3 in a see-sawing first grade match where Gunnedah’s Harley Cheetham scored a treble and Englishman Michael Cook snared a brilliant chipped goal.

Hunter Richards also made the scoresheet for the home side while South skipper Michael Tobin netted twice and Ryan McDonald grabbed the third.

United had started well and led 2-nil before the Scorpions hit back to level at 2-all. 

United then went up 4-2 at halftime before South struck again just after half-time to make it 4-3 but Harley Cheetham’s third goal, a screamer, made it 5-3 midway through the half and United hung on for a valuable win.

“It was a rare occurrence to win both grades against a strong club like Souths,”  Gunnedah coach Richard Grant said.

“And they have been our bogy side too – knocked us out of the last three premierships, 4-1, 4-2 and 4-3.”