Gunnedah United claimed a second big scalp, North Companions rebounded from a first-round loss with a good 4-nil win over Namoi United and reigning premiers Oxley Vale Attunga hit their new home ground running with a six-goal success over Moree in Saturday’s Northern Inland Premier League games.
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In Armidale the North Armidale Redmen and South Armidale Scorpions drew 2-all in a big local derby at Phil Wheaton Oval while Inverell’s Joeys FC had a 1-nil win over East Armidale at the Inverell Sporting Complex.
Joeys coach Jackson Haussler was the lone goalscorer in a ripper of a game where East Armidale launched wave after wave of attacking forays in the second half. East won the second grade game 1-nil.
Gunnedah United, who had beaten South Armidale 5-3 in a winning start to their season in Gunnedah, travelled to Tamworth on Saturday to beat Tamworth FC 3-2 at Cross Park.
Tamworth FC had plenty of chances too but, as they did in second grade, squandered opportunities.
“We’re creating plenty of chances,” TFC media manager Greg Bartlett said.
North Companions also created plenty of chances at Marius Street when 4-nil winners over Namoi United.
NC led 1-nil at halftime after the first of Ben Davis’s two strikes.
The Gavin Morgan-coached men in black added three more in the second half.
“The first half was a very tight contest,” Morgan said.
“We had the better of the play and Ben Davis did score a good goal.
“In the second half, fitness told.
“We finished with four and could have scored more but they are a decent side.
“They (Namoi) have speed and are well directed in defence and midfield.”
Luke Stawksi was a standout for Namoi United along with Jordan Barnes.
“They are a good side and will only get better,” Morgan said.
“ We played some good stuff today and have some good kids coming though like Zac Chiemuck and Ben Langenbaker,” he said.
While there is a general bye this weekend, Norths play OVA in their FFA Cup match at Gipps Street 17 under lights on Friday night with a 6pm kickoff.
OVA warmed up for that match by beating Moree 7-1 in a game where 15-year-old Jack Diebold made his Premier League debut.
Diebold had debuted in a FFA cup match earlier in the season but made his Premier League debut one to remember by scoring two goals.
“He also scored a third, a cracker, but was adjudged to be offside,” OVA coach Tim Coates said.
“He was outstanding. For a 15-year-old, he had a great game.”
Moree, he said, had a lot of new players and had a couple backing up in first grade after full second grade games.
“They did try hard and they will cause a lot of sides some angst this year.”
While Diebold scored twice, Luke Purcell also snared a brace, with Brendon Fergie, Sam Higgins and Lachlan Brown also on the scoresheet.
