Preston Parkes and Nigel Sharman returned to the starting line up. The first half produced the best performance for many a game. There appeared to be better communication and construction with the team generally displaying an urgency to take command.

T.A.S. were presented with early opportunities but failed to capitalise on them. Sharman was called upon to make several early interceptions. For the Highlanders Tom Gower struck the crossbar from a 35 metre free kick. Anthony Chaffey, playing a deeper role to perfection, was on hand to push the ball past Nick Swan who failed to control a savage drive from Daniel Ferris in the 29th minute.

Bob Blair’s incursions on the right added punch and placed pressure on the solid T.A.S. defence anchored by Alex Berwick and Daniel Schroeder.

Highlanders continued to have plenty of possession and ten minutes later Tom Gower was fouled as he attempted to latch onto a goalkeeping error. Ferris had hit a rocket left foot shot that was only partially held. Gower made no mistake to take the score to 2 - 0.

It was a Blair cross that minutes later was seized upon by Ferris who outpaced the defence to crack the ball past Swan, 3 - 0.

The defensive cordon of Parkes, McCarney, John Cameron and Grant Donnelly cut out the T.A.S.’s initiatives. Intelligent lobbing by Donnelly found its mark on a number of occasions.

With three goals up the visitors were in agreement to maintain their effort until the final whistle. T.A.S. at half time decided to come out with all guns blazing. It was the visitors’ goal that became the focus as T.A.S. used their speed and young legs to unsettle the senior team.

Chances went abegging both ends and it was the Highlanders’ defence that had to stand up tall. Many corners were won by T.A.S. but the advantage was lost due to quick covering by the defence. Midfield players Malcolm and Rowan Donnelly, Tom McCarney and Dylan Ferris showed nice touches in linking with defence and attack.

A ball by Blair offered Chaffey a half chance that Swan acrobatically diverted. Seconds later Chaffey headed just over the bar. Then in the 82nd minute a long throw in caught the tiring Highlanders off guard allowing a loose ball to be hit home by the slick Nick Hines taking the score to 3 - 1 in Glen Innes’ favour.

The win has kept the Highlanders on top of the table. This week they take on the Demon Knights at Wilson Park.