TAMWORTH FC kicked back as they kicked South Armidale into a FFA Cup clash in Newcastle this Saturday on a losing note.
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The Scorpions might have also suffered a further blow when Jamie Wright was red-carded for dissent in the 4-2 loss to FC at Johnson Field, Tamworth on Saturday.
Just how that affects Wright’s availability for this Saturday’s FFA Cup is something coach Joe Campbell was unsure of.
“We’ll have to check that out,” Campbell said after the loss.
He admitted the FFA Cup had been a distraction for his players and their McDonald’s Premier League season.
After beating North Armidale in the freezing cold on a Thursday night before the long weekend, the Scorpions were handed a third loss in four games by an FC side rebuilding with some English help.
Michael Roberts had his first game back this season after his impressive debut season was marred by the end-of-season footbrawl while Billy Webb, nicknamed Funnel by his new teammates, made a great debut by scoring in first grade.
The third of the English trio, Mark Woodward, snared a hat- trick in second grade’s 14-nil win.
Cameron Potter also grabbed a hat-trick but the sterling effort was Kurt Barrow’s seven goals.
First grade coach Darryl Smith was impressed by Barrow’s effort after dropping him back from first grade.
“We are getting a bit of a squad together now,” Smith said. “That’s after going to Narrabri (to play Namoi United) with just 17 men (for both grades).
“We’re still struggling to put a few wins together but that was pretty good for their first run together.”
Roberts starred for the side last year and was a big bonus on his return but having two fellow Englishmen – Webb and Woodward – too is a big help for Smith’s rebuilding.
“That was a great result for us,” Smith said.
“We can only get better,” he added.
That two of the first grade goals were scored by Roberts and Webb while Woodward added a second grade hat-trick also added an international touch to the day.
Tim Smith and Josh Bartlett also rifled in first grade goals on a day where they climbed within a win of equal second-placed North Companions and Gunnedah United.
While United had the day off, North Companions lost 3-2 to Jackson Haussler’s unbeaten Joeys FC in Inverell.
Oxley Vale Attunga also remained unbeaten with a 5-nil win over Demon Knights in a game where the Mushies finished with 10 and DK nine.
North Armidale returned to the winner’s circle with a 6-1 win over Namoi United in Narrabri and Moree FC drew 2-all with East Armidale in Moree.
