T.A.S. Armidale 0

The league leaders Glen Innes Highlanders fielded their regular squad against a youthful alert Armidale side.

The opening play proved ordinary with both sides attempting to establish patterns and systems expounded at training sessions. Early play saw the ball at alternative ends but offered no threat to Dom Bush in goal for Glen Innes or Alex Swan in the T.A.S. goal.

A quarter of an hour into the game T.A.S. was awarded a penalty kick. Charlie White struck the ball hard but it was brilliantly saved by Bush. To add salt to the wound from the clearance Malcolm Donnelly was able to guide the ball past Swan in a strong attacking movement.

This goal proved a tonic for the battling Highlanders. Jason Reed, thoroughly involved in the game, saw his free kick fumbled but quickly regathered then Anthony Chaffey swung a left foot drive into the goal area only to bring out the best in Swan.

The Highlanders were winning more possession allowing the quartet of Chaffey, Tom Gower, Reed and Tom McCarney to display their attacking skills. Then in the 35th minute Gower, from a throw in, found Chaffey who passed it around amongst Tom McCarney and Gower building up pressure for the T.A.S. defence. It was Gower who had the opportunity with a hard drive to pass the busy Swan to claim the second goal.

Fortune favoured the brave when a cracking shot struck the Highlanders’ crossbar.

Tom McCarney was called upon in the 52nd minute to take a spot kick but pushed the ball too high thus losing an opportunity for the Highlanders to go further ahead. Almost immediately yet another spot kick was awarded to the Highlanders when the attacking Malcolm Donnelly was brought down. Reed failed to score this time when Swan brought off a super save.

T.A.S. displayed good spirit and the defensive play of John Cameron, Grant Donnelly, Preston Parkes, Gavin McCarney and Nigel Sharman was stretched and tested.

Centre field players, Mal Donnelly, Rohan Donnelly, Jason Reed wove a tight net. George Muckenschnabel covered much territory matching the younger players in speed and guile.

The final goal came from a corner kick. As against University the previous week Gower struck the ball accurately into the corner of the goal without being touched. This took the score to 3 - 0.

Bench replacements Dylan Ferris and Lee Bush both impressed with their involvement fitting effortlessly into all positions.

The score truly reflected the differences between the teams.

Next week The Highlanders play Easts at Glen Innes with the game starting at 3pm.