Red sees red but his team keeps its head

26 Apr, 2010 04:00 AM

NORTH Armidale sits alone at top of the New England Mutual Premier League first grade table after just two rounds after a second convincing win on Saturday.

The John Edmunds-coached Redmen beat arch rivals Demon Knights 2-1 with 10 men after Joe Horneman was sent off for an alleged dangerous tackle in the second half.

The Redmen dominated the first half but only led 1-nil through a Tim Purser goal.

Little Chris Kelly dodged and weaved his way around to score a second for his side but when Horneman was red carded and Chris Daly scored from the penalty spot, DK were back in the game.

Or so they thought.

DK coach Steve Buckley said his side couldn’t capitalise.

“We had the spare man and should have equalised if not gone on and won it,” Buckley said.

“But we were disappointing. The boys went out too defensive-minded.

“I thought we could have played a fair bit better than that.

“We spilled the ball too much.

“You can’t give a good side like that too much ball.”

Reds coach John Edmunds was delighted with a follow up win to his side’s 2-1 win over Tamworth FC.

“Again we absolutely dominated in the first half,” he said.

“We had good ball movement and player movement.

“Passing was crisp and we were the better team, creating plenty of chances but only put one away.”

He said his side fell away a little in the second half but was happy with another 2-1 result to give his side six points.

Ben Boundy was his best along with hard-working midfielder David Griffiths. Morgan Quaife was best for DK.

South Armidale debuted with a 3-1 success over Gunnedah United at Armidale Sportsground where Mike Stephens bagged a pair and Ben Wright also made the scoresheet.

Gunnedah’s Jake Manley was outstanding while Brad McIvor and Matt Pengilley also played well.

Andrew James scored the United goal against a South Scorpions best served by Mike Stephens, Richard Morris and Daniel Muller who was making his PL debut.

In Tamworth, reigning premiers Oxley Vale Attunga bounced back to somewhere near their best with a 3-2 win over East Armidale while Tamworth FC knocked over North Companions 3-1 in their local derby.

Prince Thompson scored twice for FC, his first coming just before the break, while Jarryd May also added a second-half strike for a 3-nil lead.

Ben van Aanholt pulled one back late for the Men In Black.

East Armidale stunned OVA early with a Josh Mears strike on the first game at Gipps Street but OVA replied with a Ben Genardini equaliser before Sam Higgins and Mitch O’Keefe struck in the second half as OVA dominated field position.

John Hickey grabbed a late goal for East with a decisive header with less than a minute on the clock. http://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/red-sees-red-but-his-team-keeps-its-head/1812389.aspx?storypage=0