Demon Knights prevailed in the re-scheduled round one local derby when they encountered South Armidale at Doody Park on Saturday.
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Sporting fields in Tamworth were washed out on Saturday which resulted in DK’s round seven match against FC and South Armidale’s game against North Companions being postponed.
With both teams available, the round one game went ahead.
It was DK who dominated early with three unanswered goals in the opening half.
Five minutes into the second half, DK lost a player through a red card and the Scorpions were presented with an opportunity to narrow the margin.
They were accurate in hitting a penalty to bring the scoreline back to 3-1.
DK conceded another penalty late in the game and South Armidale were again accurate with the boot and brought the deficit back to one.
They weren’t able to score any further points and the scoreline remained 3-2 when the fulltime siren sounded.
“I was not unhappy playing the whole second half with 10 men, 3-nil up we were well in control in the first half but it just goes to show how quickly a game of football can change,” DK coach Evan Quaife said.
“One straight red and a penalty from it you are 3-1 with 10 men and 40 minutes to go.
“I felt first half we were probably going to go on with it and probably get a few more goals.”
The two teams will face each other again this Saturday at Rologas.
While Demon Knights have the upper hand heading into round eight, Quaife said there are a couple of elements which need to improve, including discipline.
“It will be very good if we don't concede a penalty,” he said.
“We have conceded five penalties in three games.
“It would be nice if we could keep a clean sheet.
“Our finishing and play in front of goals has to be a bit more composed.”
It was an uplifting result as the club mourns the devastating loss of former player, coach and life member, Steve Buckley.
The 54-year-old passed away suddenly and unexpectedly last Thursday.
Buckley’s dedication and contribution to the sport and to DK for more than 40 years surpasses that of any other club member, with his love for his club evident to anyone who watched him play.
An instrumental figure on the field for DK during the 1980s and 1990s, he will best be remembered for his more than 25 years of dedication and commitment to coaching DK teams.
His funeral will be held in Armidale on Friday.