Gunnedah slotted the first goal but East were always in control, especially after Lewis Russoniello and Hoani Morell slotted two each in the first half to go into the sheds up 4-1 at halftime.

Coach Mark Gwynne was over the moon with the first half.

“It could have been seven or eight-nil at the break,” Gwynne said. “Our passing was good and our defence was pretty much spot-on early.” 

Lucinello made it a hat-trick shortly after the break, finding the back of the net with another cracker that had Gunnedah wondering what hit them.

The visitors hit back with two goals late in the half but by then it was all over and  East had taken their foot off the accelerator, according to Gwynne.

One down side to the home side’s win and finals series was the injury to last year’s Golden Boot winner Jake Davies, who suffered a suspected dislocated hip 90 seconds from the final whistle.

“He will be all right but nobody likes to see that happen to any player or team,” Gwynne said.

“It was disappointing that we let those late goals in but we had the game wrapped up by then.

“It was a really good team effort and gives us plenty of confidence going into the semi -final.

“It could be an all-Armidale affair.”

It could be, but it could also be an all-Tamworth affair with East set to face North Companions in Tamworth and Demon Knights drawing southern leaders Oxley Vale for this  week’s semi-finals.

Demon Knights are riding high however after a miracle run into the finals and then knocking over northern conference leaders Joeys FC 3-2 on Saturday.

Gwynne believes that East Armidale  have the better side of the draw.

“OVA have been the best in the competition,” Gwynne said.

“They are really good at changing their game plan if it is not working and it makes it hard to beat them. 

“In saying that, we have been playing really positive football and that is all you can really ask for.

“Both games are going to be very interesting.”