King scored the first four goals of the game to set up a 5-0 half-time lead.

The scoring slowed in the second stanza with Matt Kelly, Ben Todd and Luke Mcvey the other names on the goal-scorers list.

North Companions coach Gavin Thompson said there was a stark difference between the two halves.

“The first half was pleasing. It was 5-nil at half-time. We knocked the ball around really well and put the chances away, that was the most pleasing part,” he said.

“I think we took our foot off the pedal in the second half and didn’t play as well, we didn’t create as many chances.

“We were going for the million dollar pass instead of playing the possession-type football we played in the first half.”

The win was convincing but Thompson lauded East Armidale’s players for their effort.

“I’d never say we were over-confident, we were up against solid opposition,” Thompson said.

“We were never going to take East Armidale easy. Unfortunately, they had a few players missing which didn't help them but they still created chances.

“They are a good side and they will cause some problems for a few teams this year.”