Demon Knights are hoping to put in a better showing this Saturday against Oxley Vale Attunga than they did in their last outing.
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Five goals were scored against Demon Knights in the space of 45 minutes in their round 18 clash against Tamworth FC in a performance which coach Evan Quaife described as “insipid.”
“Against FC we were actually leading 1-nil at half-time then we actually scored an own goal one minute into the second-half,” he said.
“Then about 15 minutes after that Bentley Cropper has got a straight red and a penalty so we were down to 10 men 2-1 down.
“Then I tried to get a goal back and then we came unstuck.
“Every goal of theirs was from our errors. We were very poor though on Saturday.”
Quaife is hoping his team can re-find their form against the Mushies.
“There were contributing factors in that game and we just weren't up for it to be perfectly honest,” he said.
“I expect we will bounce back, if you want a flogging or a reality check then it is probably a good time of year to have one.
“Better to have it now, re-focus again and do the things that we should be doing properly.”
Intensity and defence is going to be key for DK moving forward.
“What we focus on this week is playing with a bit more intensity, a bit more desire to win the ball, more strength on the ball, play it up their end, create something up front, score some goals,” Quaife said.
“There is plenty of improvement for us.”
In a boost for the side, key trio Naran Singh, Luke Orr and Tom Landes will come back into the DK line-up after they were missing against Tamworth but the team will be without skipper Bentley Cropper.
It is a “must win” for DK with a top two spot up for grabs heading into the final three rounds of the season.
“We are getting close to a top two spot,” Quaife said.
“We have a better goal average than Easts with two games to go so we have got to beat Oxley Vale.
“If we beat Oxley Vale and win our next two games it will probably come down to goal average for us and Easts.
“If we take the points against them [OVA] they won't be able to pick up that difference.”
East Armidale will take on South Armidale for round 19.
Coach Mark Gwynne said his side need to focus on hitting the back of the net, something they struggled with against Norths.
“We played well enough but I am a bit concerned about finishing off those chances we are creating,” he said.
“And that is what costs you games.”
Norths United have the bye.