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There is cautious optimism at the camp of Gunnedah United this week after consecutive wins in the Northern Inland Premier League.
In the countdown to their semi-finals charge in two weeks time, the Richard Grant-coached United put competition cellar-dwellers Moree to the sword last Saturday with a big 7-0 defeat at home.
“Goals in the back of the net are always a confidence booster,” Grant said.
Andy Cygen kicked three goals for United, Dale Roberts headed one home off a corner kick while Evan Lee slammed home another couple of winners to make his goal scoring tally stand at five in two weeks.
A week prior the side ran rampant over cross-town rivals, the Hawks and walked in a 8-1 victory in that encounter.
The recent success has buoyed Grant’s band of weekend warriors despite trailing third place by more than 15 points on the southern conference leaderboard.
“I firmly believe we can advance past the first week (of finals).”
- United coach Richard Grant
Still, the wins have ensured the side remains in fourth spot and enough to earn a right to challenge South Armidale at home in the all-important knockout semi-final.
“We’re best of the rest at the moment,” Grant said, referring to his side’s commanding position behind the conference’s big three – Tamworth FC, North Companions and Oxley Vale Attunga (OVA).
If the United troops are feeling a touch of deja vu, it’s warranted, given this will be the third consecutive year the side has faced the Armidale squad in the corresponding final.
“I firmly believe we can advance past the first week (of finals),” Grant said.
“But it won’t be easy.”
United has only played the cross-conference South Armidale outfit, who are ranked third on the northern ladder, once this season where they went down in a respectable 4-2 defeat in that match.
The side however was dealt a big blow last weekend by the loss of club stalwart Matt Budden who suffered a season-ending ankle injury.
Grant said the crutches-borne Budden would be a “huge loss” for the side and had the tactician looking to heavens praying for no more injuries before the season is out.
Fortunately the side has ample talent to go round, all of who are more than capable of picking up where their injured comrade left off.
Among those is United centre-half Adam Stacey who kicked his maiden goal of the season last weekend.
He might not be the biggest bloke on the park, but the understated former Gunnedah club junior who returned after number of years out of the game, made light work of his goal scoring opportunity on Saturday.
United reserves also notched up a win last week against Moree and ran out 5-2 victors.
In preparation for the South Armidale semi, United will face OVA at Marius Street, Tamworth, this weekend in the final regular round match.