By Geoff Newling

OXLEY Vale Attunga dealt North Companions’ NECU Premier League semi-finals hopes a major blow on Saturday when it ended North’s resurgence with a 2-nil win at Jack Woolaston Oval, Tamworth.

With South Armidale scrambling a 5-all draw with competition leaders North Armidale, it leaves premiers North Companions four points adrift of fourth-placed South Armidale.

Demon Knights remained equal on points with OVA in second place when 1-nil victors against East Armidale at Rologas Field, Armidale.

North Armidale leads the PL with 31 from Oxley Vale Attunga and Demon Knights (both 27) , South Armidale (19), North Companions (15) and winless East Armidale (0).

Ben Genardini’s first-half ripper gave OVA Mushies a 1-nil lead against North Companions before Ryan Searl’s second-half strike completed a good win over a disappointing North.

OVA stand-in coach Mark Goddard reckoned it the best performance of the side this season.

“It’s the best they have played all season,” Goddard said.

“Everyone did their job.”

Chris Soto was in outstanding form again to lead the way against a flat North Companions who never threatened.

“We didn’t come out to play,” bitterly disappointed coach Darryl Smith said.

“We left the last four weeks in the cupboard.”

Also disappointed was North Armidale coach John Edmunds.

His side trailed South Armidale 3-1 at half-time but bounced back to lead 4-3 and 5-4 before drawing 5-all in a game labelled as a “tennis match”.

“I’m not too happy with our performance,” Edmunds said.

“To concede five goals wasn’t great but we were sloppy all around the park.”

Jason Bosward’s first-half hat trick gave South Armidale a two-goal lead at half-time then Richard Morris levelled the game at 4-all before Daniel Clyde-Smith’s late strike gave the Scorpions a deserving 5-all draw.

“It was a tennis match,” South coach Craig Wright agreed.

“I really don’t know how to describe it.”

His side was pumped at half-time but then fell behind before dragging itself back to post its thrilling draw.

Young Scorpions Tom Prosser, Ben Wright and Michael Patterson excelled.

Andrew Paton was “johnny on the spot” to score the only goal in Demon Knights’ 1-nil success against East Armidale at Rologas Field.

DK coach Steve Buckley thought both teams “played reasonably well” in a game where neither side had many chances.

Chris Gardner, Mitchell Joyce and Aaron Killen were best for DK while East coach Ian Holmes thought Adam Kennedy and Will Murphy excelled.