South Armidale and Demon Knights are through to the third round of the FFA Cup after recording resounding wins in their round two fixtures.
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Last year was a tough one for Souths who only recorded one win in the Northern Inland Premier League season.
A host of new recruits and some familiar faces took the field for the Scorpions in their win on Sunday against Narrabri.
They converted a 2-nil half-time lead into a 6-1 win, with three penalty goals, and president Joe Campbell said the side got better as the game went on.
"To be honest they have some really good players and I don't know whether fitness or the trip over took its toll but we got on top of them in the last half an hour and the results showed," he said.
"A lot of ex-players coming back, there is still some other possible inclusions so it is all looking positive moving forward."
They play 2018 Northern Inland Premier League champions Tamworth FC this weekend, on a day yet to be decided.
While all teams are aiming to make it as far into the knockout tournament as they can, Campbell said it is helping their team members gel prior to the Premier League competition starting.
"You play Narrabri in the first round and it is probably an ideal draw, you get not an easier game but a competitive game and then we get to test ourselves against the undefeated team from last year and see exactly where we are," he said.
"The guys are still learning each others' game.
"The more of these sort of games you get before the season starts, is good.
"Realistically we are not going to win the FFA Cup, we know that.
"You aren't going to go through and beat the Sydney teams.
"You can compete and get as far as you can and that is always good."
DK will face the Woolgoolga Wolves this weekend after they triumphed over Moree 5-2.
Last year's grand finalists entered the clash with a mix of players who took the field in the decider as well as newcomers to the team.
Coach Evan Quaife said it was "nice to get the win."
"Moree are always very competitive anyhow, it was our first game of the year and it was nice to get to the next round," he said.
Quaife started their pre-season with a different tact and he said their match fitness, as a result, got them over the line.
"There were some good passages of play," he said.
"All we have done in training is we have just had a game.
"Usually we do drills and things but we just have to get a bit of match fitness up.
"Every week we have had two games and we still looked like we had legs, Moree looked a bit tired towards the end."
Quaife highlighted a handful of standouts in the win.
"Cal Roff was quite outstanding, he was really good," he said.
"Jack Campbell got two goals.
"Jake Eather played well, Kyle Winter played well."
East Armidale went down 5-nil to Goonellabah Hornets FC.
After a bye in round two, Armidale City Westside will line up for the third round against Kempsey Saints.