INVERELL Joeys FC played round 7 of the Northern Inland Football Premier League against South Armidale at the Inverell Sporting Complex on Saturday, and another win took them six points clear on top of the table.
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Joeys’ president Heinrich Haussler said it was a physical first-half that saw a key Joey defender substituted with an injury.
“Scott Peterson came on after playing a full match in second grade,” Haussler said.
He said despite goalkeeper Daniel McLachlan making two lovely saves, South Armidale still managed to slip a shot into the back of the net to have the Joeys down 0-1.
“At that stage Joeys were finding it hard to create chances against the solid South’s defence,” Haussler said.
“It was then a lovely through ball from Amine Lihia that found Jackson Haussler, who managed to get the equaliser.”
However, before half-time South Armidale went 2-1 up, when the Joeys’ defence was found lacking.
“In the second-half the Joeys lifted their game and started playing much better football, after a stirring speech from co-coach Stephen Gadd at the half-time break,” Haussler said.
“Rod Prentis beat two South Armidale defenders and slipped in a wonderful goal from a tight angle to beat the goalkeeper.
“Shortly after, Stephen Gadd provided Callum Dolby with a perfectly timed through ball, and Callum made no mistake, bringing the Joeys up 3-2.”
Haussler said constant pressure on the South Armidale defence provided another goal for the Joeys with a great ball from the outside. Marc Borgas found Callum Dolby, who scored his second goal of the day, and took the Joeys ahead 4-2.
South Armidale did not give up, and great shot from the South Armidale striker to put the score at 4-3 and kept them in touch.
Haussler said that was when the game then opened up, as South Armidale went looking for the equaliser.
“They were denied by great defending by the Joeys’ backs, Scott Peterson, Michael Cashel, Trent Irwin, Kyle King and goalkeeper Daniel McLachlan,” Haussler said.
Joeys scored again before full-time, Jackson Haussler scored his second goal of the day, taking his tally so far for the season to a dozen, and taking the score to 5-3.
“It was a great second-half from the Joeys,” Haussler said.
“Credit to young Joeys defenders Michael Cashel and Kyle King also stepping up to have a great game. “
The Northern Inland Premier League has a break next week and Joeys FC United will take on North Companions Tamworth on June 13, at home in Inverell.
