By ELLEN DUNGER
EAST Armidale opened their 2016 Northern Inland Football season with a convincing victory against rivals North Companions on Saturday.
The first 25 minutes of the game saw both teams battle for possession until East’s Jake Davies put the hosts in front.
Davies’ goal opened the floodgates with Corby Kliendienst and Hoani Morrell adding further points for the home side to win 5-1. Coach Chet Davies said the win on the weekend gives the side a big boost heading into this season.
“It was fairly even between both teams for the first 25 minutes until we got a hold of the game,” he said.
“It was a great team success, an all-round performance from everyone.
“It sets up a platform for us and stands us in good stead for the rest of the season.
“I know there are a lot of people writing us off at the moment but I am quite happy to have the underdog tag.
“The team are very confident at the moment so it is always pleasing getting the first one out of the road. “We have plenty of juniors coming through so I have only got three out of the first grade team from last year so it is basically re-building another squad again.”
East Armidale face a challenge when they hit the road to take on Namoi United in Narrabri this weekend.
With players sidelined through injury, Davies expects the team’s depth to be tested.
“We have a pretty tough month first up a couple of big road trips,” he said. “We have a few injuries and I have got one going to a christening.”
“It is tough road trip out to Narrabri this week.”
Other results from round one include: Demon Knights defeated South Armidale one-nil and Norths United beat Inverell eight-nil.
In this weekend’s matches, South Armidale host Oxley Vale, North are away to North Companions and Demon Knights head to Moree.
