Demon Knights continue to defy the odds in the McDonald’s Northern Inland Premier League.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Written off only a fortnight ago, DK have produced consecutive stunning performances to advance into the final six of the NIPL.
DK players drew inspiration from their brave victory over East Armidale two weekends ago when they locked horns with Tamworth FC on Saturday in the first weekend of the premier league finals.
DK were heavy underdogs travelling to Tamworth to face a side who had been the form team of the southern conference in the second half of the season.
But Evan Quaife’s men again thrived in the face of adversity to record a stunning 3-nil win.
“It was a well deserved win,” Quaife said.
“I was feeling confident all week.
“We just ran them off the park.”
Quaife highlighted dominating possession in the lead up to the semi-final and couldn’t have been happier with how his side performed in that department.
“We starved them of possession,” the DK coach said.
“As the game went on we got stronger and stronger.”
Cal MacGregor struck early for DK to give his side a 1-nil lead, which is how the score would remain until half-time.
James Thompson gave DK a two-goal buffer mid-way through the second half and Josh Quaife put the result beyond doubt with a lob of the keeper with 10 minutes remaining.
“We were just too good for them on the day,” Quaife said.
The win earns DK a date with northern conference minor premiers Joeys FC in Inverell tomorrow afternoon.
Joeys had an aura of invincibility surrounding them early in the season, but began to stumble as the finals approached leaving teams such as DK confident of knocking the Inverell side off.
“We have beaten them once before,” Quaife said.
“They have lost a couple of their best players.
“If we play like we are capable of I have no doubt we can win.”
Quaife said camaraderie is at an all-time high amongst his squad and is hoping that continues throughout the finals.
“We’re all feeling pretty good at the moment,” he said.
Tamworth teams Oxley Vale Attunga and North Companions are both through to the final four after recording wins last weekend.
They await the two victors of tomorrow’s fixtures.
The second game tomorrow sees East Armidale host Gunnedah FC at Doody Park.