Northern Inland Premier Division: Oxley Vale Attunga kick eight points clear at the top with pair of wins

After accounting for Tamworth FC 2-nil on Saturday, the Mushies beat North Companions 2-1 on Sunday.

It was very nearly two 2-nil wins, Dylan Langenbaker scoring a fortuitous consolation goal for Northies with a couple of minutes remaining.

There was little the Mushies could do about it with Langenbaker johnny-on-the-spot to pick up the scraps after the ball hit the top bar and bounced straight down.

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The two wins made it seven-from-seven for the Mushies, and while skipper Lachlan Browne said they are still only playing well in patches, importantly, they are getting the points.

"We can build the performances, getting the results is the important thing at this stage," he said.

The attack was in both games a bit disjointed, but the defence was, especially on Sunday, like a well-oiled machine.

They got numbers around the ball well and were able to diffuse Northies' attacks relatively easily.

"We changed the shape just for this game as well, we had a few players out injured, Adam Watson away as well so we thought we'd change the shape and it was a pretty good effort," Browne said.

"The three boys at the back did well and the two young wide midfielders - Jack Stanton and Joel Carter - tucked in as well and did their duties as we needed them to."

James Kitcher outmuscled the Northies centre back in the air to put them up 1-nil at half-time. Liam Beddow then doubled their advantage from a long bomb from about 30 out.

"It was a fantastic finish by Liam," Browne said.

"He came off the bench against Northies last time and caused them some trouble and then started against Gunnedah and put two away and he's continued that today."

The Mushies were the only side to win both of their games and kicked eight points clear of Gunnedah FC at the top heading into the long weekend bye after Gunnedah went down to Northies 1-nil on Saturday and had a 2-all draw with South United on Sunday.

It was a fruitful weekend for Souths with a 4-nil win over Moore Creek on Saturday seeing them move into the top four.

Moore Creek bounced back on Sunday, accounting for Kootingal 4-nil.

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