DEMON Knights just snuck into the Northern Inland Premier League finals but now find themselves in the final six sides after upsetting Tamworth FC at home on Saturday in an elimination quarter-final.
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A fortnight ago DK weren’t even in the top four of the Northern Conference but, after they pulled off an upset 4-2 defeat over East Armidale in the final round, they were in with a shot but needed another result to go their way as well.
The side had just sung what could have been the final team song of the season when news filtered in to the Doody Park dressing rooms that Inverell and South Armidale had had a nil-all draw down the road at the Sportsground and DK were through.
A week later they took it to Tamworth FC on their home turf and pulled off another stunning victory that has given the side the confidence to believe they can take it all the way.
Clubman Jay Westfold said there was a really good feeling around the club on the back of their victories.
“We have had a really good finish to the season after a slow start,” Westfold said.
“We slowly built some momentum and found some form.
“We are confident now that we can match any team in the comp.”
Forwards Cal McGregor and Josh Quaife have been leading the charge towards the finals and didn’t let up against Tamworth on Saturday.
“They have been terrorising defenders lately,” Westfold said.
“And James Thompson just never loses the ball in the midfield and is great in defence as well.”
Tamworth felt the full force of DK’s passing game as the visitors worked it around and took their chances when they came.
Beating Tamworth FC away is another feather in the Armidale side’s cap after they started to get a reputation as poor travellers early in the year.
They will be on the road again this weekend and it doesn’t get any easier, as they go to Inverell to meet Northern Conference minor premiers Joeys FC, after they went down to North Companions 3-1.
The last time the two sides met, DK came away on top, something that will not be forgotten in either sides’ preparation this week.
“Beating them last time and that win on the road last week gives us plenty of confidence and momentum,” Westfold said.
“They have got great finishers like Jackson Haussler so our defence is going to have to be tight.”
DK’s reserve grade is also still alive and kicking after finishing the season in third.
They will meet East Armidale at Doody Park this Saturday at 11am, followed by the other first grade elimination final between East Armidale and Gunnedah United.
OVA will meet North Companions at Carter St on Saturday at 1pm in the other reserve grade final.
OVA and North Companions have the week off as they await the winners of this week’s games with every chance of an all-Tamworth grand final on September 13.