However, the side’s third successive loss when hammered by reigning premiers Oxley Vale Attunga 7-nil last Saturday was tough to digest for stalwart coach Richard Grant.

Just how he turns United’s season around is going to be a major operation for him and skipper Andy Cygan.

“It was a real shellacking,” Grant said of Saturday’s 7-nil thrashing.

“We’d lost 4-2 to North Companions and 4-2 to Inverell but this was  really disappointing.

“I felt like a target too. There was a lot of feeling there from the rep team.”

Grant was the manager and coach of the Southern Conference side that played the Northern Conference team in an All Stars game in Armidale at the end of last season.

“I really think the OVA boys were still annoyed we didn’t pick Ryan Searl (instead naming a United player). And it seems Luke Purcell was also still upset about being replaced during that game too.”

He said the OVA players made special note of that in their attitude and with their celebrations.

“Yeah we got beaten, badly, but they left a sour taste in our mouths. They were obviously still filthy about the rep team.”

The game finished with red cards for OVA pair Ryan Searl and Luke Purcell as well as United’s Anthony Rowe.

“Honestly it could have been 10-nil but we might have had just seven first graders too. And OVA were big and aggressive in tackles and we didn’t handle it. They just dominated everything, it was very disappointing for us.

“I think the ref had a pretty good game too.

“We’re off to Moree this week. Just got to try and regroup.”

He said Matt Chappell gave him a good 60 minutes before the Boggabri-based policeman had to head off to work while Harley Cheetham played well until he succumbed to an ankle injury.

“Andy Cygan is also doing a lot of work helping me with the side and he also worked hard all game.”