The side travelled to Tamworth on Saturday to take on Oxley Vale Attunga and bowed out of the finals series following the premiers’ 2-nil elimination win.

Oxley Vale are the only Tamworth side left in the competition after South Armidale United grinded out a 1-nil victory over Tamworth FC in Armidale. 

East Armidale were confident heading into the match after downing competition leaders Norths United the weekend prior. 

Easts and OVA had shared the spoils prior to Saturday’s semi-final with one win apiece this year. 

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.

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.

The goal saw OVA and take the lead.

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 semi-final this Saturday at Roloagas.

South Armidale play Norths United in the other at Phil Wheaton oval to decide the grand finalists for the following weekend.

Both matches kick-off at 3pm with reserve grade playing at Phil Wheaton earlier at 12.30pm.