SOUTH Armidale might be playing for a berth in the next round of the FFA Cup in Forster Tuncurry today but reigning Northern Inland Football (NIF) Premier League champions, Oxley Vale Attunga are hoping to transfer ugliness into a form of beauty against North Armidale today.
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The OVA Mushrooms and North Armidale Redmen clash in their crossover McDonald’s Premier League match at Phil Wheaton Oval, North Armidale.
They also played the Redmen in that crossover match in Armidale last year, coming away with a win.
Last week, the Tim Coates-coached Mushies beat Namoi United 3-1 in Narrabri, with Lachlan Browne, Jack Diebold and Chris Fenton scoring goals.
“It w as an ugly win,” Coates said.
“It took us a long time to get on top.”
He’s hoping to transform that performance against an enemy the Mushies have fought in plenty of big battles in the past.
He knows Andy Lennon and the Redmen will be itching to sing their team song (the old Hello Dolly transformed into Hello Redmen by the former Wright College Redmen rugby league side).
And he knows the Mushies face a much tougher road trip today than last week where some of his younger brigade “put their hands up”. Players such as Nash Tapp and Lachlan Fogarty.
It was a day where skipper Fenton played in goals in second grade and first grade goalie Troy Keyte played striker.
“We had six or seven missing,” Coates said.
He won’t want to have too many missing today – for the trip and on the park.
In other games, East Armidale host Tamworth FC, winless Demon Knights and Namoi United crank it up at Rologas 2 in Armidale and Gunnedah United host unbeaten Joeys FC at Wolseley Park, Gunnedah.
North Companions and Moree FC play a deferred game at Marius Street, Tamworth today.
Meanwhile, in Armidale tomorrow the inaugural Northern Inland Chiropractic Super 6 competition will kick off at the Rologas playing fields.
NIF general manager Steve Griffith said seven teams and 70 players would feature in the inaugural competition, with most games to be played at 10am.
Nominations are still open from teams interested in taking out the bye.
“Super6 football is similar to Futsal with no offsides and goal keepers throwing the ball into play,” Griffith said.
“Players will get a great workout and the game will help develop players’ skills on a small-sided field with matches played in 2 x 25- minute halves.”
Tomorrow’s first round will see Duval playing Pink, Chillipeppers playing Armidillos and Norths playing Uralla Angels.
Uralla Devils receive the first-round bye.
“Northern Inland Football greatly appreciates the support of Northern Inland Chiropractic as major sponsor of the competition and their commitment to helping develop women’s football in the region,” Griffith said.
“We wish all players the best for a successful season.”
