Hayden Davidson continued to impress in his move up front scoring his second goal in as many weeks as Tamworth FC accounted for Quirindi 3-nil in their Northern Inland Premier Division match-up on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Quirindi were coming off their maiden win but found it tough going against the back-to-back reigning premier league champions.
"We controlled the game from the start. We were pretty comfortable," FC coach Wayne May said.
READ ALSO:
Josh Bartlett put them ahead 1-nil around only 11 minutes into the game. Ross Price then doubled their advantage with a "screamer" from a free kick.
It was shades of his first round effort only probably just a bit lower, May said.
Quirindi's cause wasn't helped some poor discipline, having a player sent off in the first half.
Davidson made their task that bit harder when he scored off "a nice chip from about 25m out" early in the second half.
FC's 'everywhere man' - playing wherever they need him - May pushed him up front against Moore Creek last week after new recruit Jarryd Mackellar was injured in their second round win over Gunnedah FC, and was happy with how he went.
With Mackellar likely done for the season, scans confirmed he has a minor fracture of his tibia and has torn his lateral collateral ligament (LCL), May is keen to keep Davidson up there noting that he is starting to build a nice combination with Kurt Barrow.
Mackellar's injury is the only real down side to what has a strong start to the season.
"I'm happy with the way the boys are going at the moment," May said.
Missing Troy Hearfield on Saturday, Matt Gardner slotted into centre back and "did a good job there".
Tristan Reed took Gardner's place at left back and played well in what was the teenager's first start this season.
May paid credit to Quirindi. Despite playing more than half the game a man down, they didn't give up and had a couple of half chances.
At the other end their goalkeeper had a good game and showed some good reflexes.
"All credit to him, he kept the scoreline respectable," May said.
In the round's other games North Companions beat Kootingal 2-nil and Oxley Vale Attunga thumped Moore Creek 6-nil.
The Mushies were never really troubled after going up 2-nil after 11 minutes, although coach Tim Coates said the Mountain Goats tried hard all game.
It was a bit of a game for firsts with Sam Clark making his debut, Joel Carter scoring his first goal in Mushies colours and captain Lachlan Browne banging in his first hat-trick after Ryan Searl had earlier done likewise in reserve grade.
