Kurt Barrow was on the scorer’s sheet as the forward nabbed a double – his fifth for the year – and FC didn’t let in a goal.

It was their sixth clean sheet of the season.

There were a couple differences this game as well.

Troy Hearfield and Brent May were amongst the players out as FC took 20 players over for first and reserve grade.

Without a regular goalkeeper, Dylan May stepped into the role and kept out everything that came his way.

Tamworth FC Greg Bartlett was a happy man after the victory.

“I’m pleased with that. We only came up here with 20 players for two games and won 5-1 in reserve grade and 3-0 in first grade,” he said.

Bartlett added: “I’m just happy for the club. First grade guys helped reserve grade out – we had five first grades on the bench for reserve grade – and they all spent time on the field and vice versa.”

Bartlett has described South Armidale as FC’s “bogey team” in the past.

The cellar dwellers gave the ladder leaders a scare earlier this year and grabbed another goal against FC in their second matchup.

“We’ve had trouble with them this year,” Bartlett said.

“They’ve scored five goals all season and three were against us so it was pleasing to keep a clean sheet.”

Bartlett said Souths had the makings of a handy side.

“In 12-18 months time they’ll be a good team,” he said.

“They’re good, young blokes and they all play hard which is good.

“They’ve got upside to their season. I know they haven’t won all year but they’re competitive and they’ve gotten better.”

In the other first grade matches, Oxley Vale Attunga won a high-scoring match against North Companions.

Mushies won 5-3 which sees them jump into third position on the ladder after Demon Knights’ stumble.

DK went down to North Armidale 1-0.

Just two points separate East Armidale, in second position, Mushies and Demon Knights on the ladder with Tamworth FC locking down top spot several rounds ago.