North Armidale Redmen and South Armidale Scorpions advanced to the second round after impressive wins, while East Armidale, Demon Knights and The Armidale School were all knocked out.

The Redmen scraped home 3-2 against Gunnedah United at Johnson Field in Tamworth.

Declan Drewitt, Andrew Magann and Chris Kelly all hit the back of the net for North.

The Scorpions needed a last minute goal and a penalty shootout to topple Inverell’s Joeys FC at Doody Park.

Last season’s Northern Inland Premier League northern conference champions trailed heading in to the 90th  minute.

New recruits Navid Aminian and Hayden Westcott both scored for South to help lock the scores at 3-all heading into extra time, where the two sides still couldn’t be separated and the match headed to penalties.

Jake Pemmant, Jacob Graham, Sterling Wylie and Saxon Hardingham all slotted home penalties to see the Scorpions win the shootout 4-3.

East Armidale took on Oxley Vale Attunga in Tamworth, but were no match for their southern rivals, going down 3-1.

Simon McLennan was the lone goal scorer for East.

Demon Knights also took to the pitch in Tamworth, taking on North Companions, but went down 2-1.

Kirk Burton picked up where he left off last season with a goal, but DK fell agonisingly short.

TAS were the only non NIPL side from the region to take part in the first round of the FFA Cup, but the students fell 2-nil to powerhouse club Tamworth FC at Doody Park.

Second round FFA matches will be played on Sunday with North Armidale taking on South Armidale in a blockbuster clash at Doody Park.