Two Armidale sides will go head-to-head seeking redemption after recording losses in their round three Northern Inland Premier League matches.
Demon Knights succumbed to Tamworth FC 3-nil while South Armidale were handed a 9-nil thrashing by North Companions and the two teams will face-off in a local derby this Saturday at Rologas.
“Our previous two games had been good, all-round performances and on Saturday it was a fairly ordinary performance,” DK coach Evan Quaife said.
“We were a little bit flat, a few changes again from the week before but no real excuses, we looked a little bit flat and lethargic I thought.
“They were really hungry and we just didn't play our game. Nil-all at half-time and we were in it but once we conceded that first goal we didn't feel like we were going to be coming back into the game as a coach.”
Quaife hopes his team can find the form which landed them two wins from their opening two rounds and their previous FFA Cup victories.
“It would be nice to get back into a bit of a rhythm like we have the last four or five games,” he said.
“It is a long season and everyone is going to have highs and lows, poorer performances and things.”
While DK started the season with two comfortable wins, the Scorpions are yet to land a victory – or a goal – from their matches this season.
Despite their consecutive losses, Quaife is expecting his opponents to fire up for the local derby.
“On last week's results, Souths probably aren't as strong as they have been previously but we haven't played them so take every game on its merits,” he said.
“A local derby, I daresay they will be up for the game and we can't be complacent against them. It doesn't usually matter where the teams sit in local derbies - Armidale, English football, Spanish football, wherever - it doesn't matter where teams are in the league, they always lift for the derby.”
DK will also be hosting a ladies day event for the South Armidale clash.
Both teams will be wearing pink socks to raise awareness for the McGrath Foundation and the club will be collecting donations on the day.
The reserve grade game begins at 1pm before first grade at 3pm.
Mothers, wives, partners, girlfriends and female supporters will have an event on the balcony of the Wicklow Hotel over looking the fields.
A McGrath Foundation nurse will also be at the Wicklow around 5pm to give a talk.
Ellen Dunger
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
Originally from the Blue Mountains, I spent my teenage years in the Riverina at boarding school before moving to Bathurst in 2012 to complete Bachelor of Sport Studies/ Bachelor of Communications (journalism) at Charles Sturt University. I started my career at The Blayney Chronicle in May 2015 and worked casually, one day a week at the Central Western Daily later on that year. I moved to Armidale in March 2016 to take on the role as the Northern Tablelands' sports journalist. Played a variety of sports in my lifetime including touch football, league tag, gymnastics, dance, cross country running and equestrian. Always happy to hear news and tips. www.facebook.com/ellendungerjournalist/
