Oxley Vale Attunga are the only Tamworth side remaining in the Premier League following the premiers’ 2-nil elimination win over East Armidale on Saturday.
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The Carter St playing surface was in decent shape after the rain and the Mushrooms began pressuring the opposition defence from the opening whistle.
Coach Tim Coates said that Jack Diebold, Benn Gennardini and Aaron Follington were creating good chances up front early, with a couple even hitting the woodwork, while a few good saves from keeper Simon McFadden kept the game scoreless at the break.
The second half was much the same until Gennardini found himself in the right place to nail his seventeenth goal for the season and take the lead for the home side. Easts fought back through good work from Brendan Hatte and Trent Irwin but couldn’t capitalise with a goal.
When Brendan Fergie netted a penalty towards the end of the game the writing was on the wall for the visitors, especially after a penalty shot was brilliantly saved by OVA keeper Troy Keyte.
Skipper Chris Fenton was part of that defensive effort and led from the front, while Fergie, Diebold, Corey O’Keefe, Will Menz and Eli O’Donnell were the other stand-outs.
OVA will now meet minor premiers Demon Knights in one semifinal next weekend, while South Armidale play North Armidale in the other to decide the grand finalists for the following weekend.
