ARMIDALE’S four football sides will go head to head this Saturday in a belated start to the Northern Inland Premier League.
Rain washed out most of the first round matches, meaning the season starts for the Armidale sides this Saturday.
South Armidale and East Armidale go head-to-head at the sportsground, while Norths United host Demon Knights at Phil Wheaton Oval.
Norths finished on top of the Northern Conference ladder last season, but were knocked out in the preliminary final by Tamworth FC, which went on to win the premiership.
The Redmen are the hot favourites to lead the conference again in 2014.
The Demon Knights finished fifth last year with eight wins, three draws and seven losses and are hoping to improve under the coaching of Evan Quaife.
Meanwhile, Ruwan Cooper and Michael Lord will head South Armidale this season, with the Scorpions the only other Armidale side to make the finals in 2013.
Souths finished third in the Northern Conference with 10 wins, a draw and seven losses.
The Scorpions defeated Gunnedah 3-2 in the opening round of the finals, but were knocked out in Iverell by Joeys FC.
East Armidale, which is being coached by Mark Gwynne this season, finished last in the conference last year, winning just one match and drawing twice from 18 games.
