Armidale City will look to cap off an undefeated season in the Northern Hockey Premier League when they host Tamworth’s Kiwis in tomorrow’s grand final.
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Armidale finished the 10 week home and away season minor premiers after going undefeated, but astonishingly, they are yet to beat Kiwis in 2014.
“We drew with them once and the other game was called off at half time because of lightening,” City captain-coach Blair Chalmers said.
This year is the third year of the premier league, although the format was changed this year from a full season tournament to just a 10 week mid-season competition.
Chalmers said there is plans to add another Armidale side to the premier league and re-extend it back to a full season competition.
It has been a sensational year for City.
Not only are they unbeaten in the premier league, but they are yet to be toppled in the Armidale A grade competition as well.
Chalmers said their domination had come as a surprise.
“I don’t think any of the Tamworth teams expected us to be top of the premier league,” he said.
“But we have a good structure in place.
“Our side is very talented as well.”
Tomorrow’s match against Kiwis is also an opportunity for revenge for City after they were bundled out in extra time last year in the semi-finals by the Tamworth side.
“There is a bit of history there,” Chalmers said.
“It should be a good contest again.
“It will come down to who takes their opportunities in the goal circle.”
Mid-fielders Ben Hanlan and Jimmy O’Brien will play a huge role for City tomorrow as will forwards Alexander Brown and Ash Gasbarri.
“If those guys up front play well, we could see quite a few goals,” Chalmers said.
On a sour note the side will have to do without Dean Waters who suffered an ACL injury last weekend as well as Sam Constance who is unavailable.
The match starts at 3.30pm on T1 at the University of New England hockey fields.