PREMIERS Oxley Vale Attunga will be looking to qualify for an eighth straight Premier League grand final when they host Armidale’s Demon Knights in one of two semi-finals to be played in Tamworth tomorrow.
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The Mushies came from third in the southern conference to win the competition last season, although this year finished on top while DK are attempting to win the league from fourth in the Northern pool.
A dream run has seen them topple Northern minor premiers Joeys FC and South Armidale, although tomorrow will surely be their toughest test yet, with OVA the form team of the season in both conferences.
A week off has freshened up the Mushies outfit, although two separate weddings have left the club three players short for the crucial match.
Club stalwart Mitchell Cone is getting hitched and wants fellow player Glen McKnight by his side on the big day, while young gun Jack Diebolt has been ordered to his sister’s big day.
Coach Tim Coates said the players would be missed in what is certain to be a tough outing.
“The boys have been really good this season and won the minor premiership in first grade and the club championship,” Coates said.
“Finals can be a bit of a raffle but we will do what we do and see what happens.”
The last time the two sides met, the Mushies dealt out a 5-1 thrashing, but that was early in the season, with DK maturing throughout the year into the finals side that beat Joeys FC 3-2 last week.
“They play hard and they play fast and can score goals,” Coates said.
“We just need to worry about playing our own game.”
Seven OVA players were in last year’s winning side, lending a fair bit of invaluable experience to the squad.
Coates said the elder statesmen in the team like Chris Fenton and Brendan Fergie have been in good form and have led the way so far, although he thinks it is about time striker Luke Purcell had a huge game.
Purcell scored three goals in last year’s grand final and has so far had a quiet series this year.
“He owes me a big one and when he goes he blows teams off the park,” Coates said.
OVA will also feature in the all Tamworth reserve grade fixture, although they will be underdogs when they take on favourites Tamworth FC.
On the other side of the draw, North Companions will host East Armidale at the Marius St fields.
Norths were only just pipped to the minor title by OVA and have also had the benefit of the week off after they too pushed aside a disappointing Joeys FC outfit in the qualifying final.
Reserve grade games will kick off at 1.30pm with the main games at 3pm.
