Soccer
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SOUTH Armidale return to the Northern Inland Football McDonald’s Premier League buoyed for Saturday’s local derby with East Armidale at Armidale Sportsground.
The Scorpions are fresh from Sunday’s NIF Cup Final win over North Companions.
Their extra time penalty shootout win enabled them to move into the next round of the FFA Cup – a May 16 showdown with Forster Tuncurry in Forster.
South Armidale’s FFA Cup run, three games all won at the penalty spot after games were drawn at fulltime against Joeys FC, North Armidale and Tamworth’s North Companions, has had a related effect on Moree FC.
Moree were the side drawn to play North Companions last Saturday but had that game deferred to allow North Companions to play South Scorpions (who had the Northern Conference bye).
Moree are also drawn to play South on May 15 so NIF general manager Steve Griffith has to find a new date for that game.
It’s a headache he doesn’t mind though as he’s seen the NIF clubs become more enthusiastic about playing in the FFA Cup.
“We had 10 teams enter this year,” he said.
“That was great. We’d only had six previously (old State Cup). The FFA Cup has created a bit of excitement amongst the clubs too and now South have the chance to reach the final 32 and the potential of playing an A League club.”
While South and East match up at Armidale Sportsground on Saturday, South Armidale’s NIF Cup final opponents, North Companions, are off to Gunnedah Saturday to play unbeaten Gunnedah United.
Tamworth FC is at home to Moree FC and Namoi United host reigning champions OVA at Hogan Oval, Narrabri. North Armidale Redmen and winless Demon Knights match up in their Northern Conference clash at Rologas 2.
NORTHERN CONFERENCE: Joeys 9, North Armidale 5, East Armidale 4, South Armidale 1, Demon Knights 0.
SOUTHERN CONFERENCE: Gunnedah 9, OVA 6, North Companions 3, Tamworth FC 3, Moree 0, Namoi United 0. Second grade: