Glen Innes Highlanders Division 2 has secured a finals berth after a 2-1 win over The Armidale School on the weekend. The Highlanders started the game off very slowly and underestimated the opposition and made many mistakes early in the first half.

Poor ball control and a lack of communication from the Highlanders lead to plenty of opportunities for TAS but Josh Hutchinson was solid as goalkeeper for the Highlanders. After a few near misses from the opposition, the Highlanders lifted and started playing their natural game.

After a few positional changes, Bushell was moved to striker and Jerome Hayden into the mid-field, the Highlanders raised the bar another level and the first goal of the game was scored after a nice cross caught the TAS keeper unaware and fumbled the ball, allowing Bushell to clean up and take a 1-0 lead.

The remainder of the first half saw a more dominant Highlanders team, moving the ball around more freely and controlling the game going into the half-time break with a 1-0 lead.

At the break, the Highlanders were told to focus on more of their passing as a lot of the time the ball went astray and lost the Highlanders possession.

After the restart, the Highlanders applied more pressure on the opposition, not allowing them into the game.

The Highlanders then scored their second goal with a run from Kempton who saw an open Ferris in attack and fired a shot from just outside the 18 yard box that left the TAS team speechless and the Highlanders sat more comfortable with a 2-0 lead.

TAS soon got a consolation goal after a small lapse in concentration from the Highlanders defense and saw a lobbed ball from 25 yards out sail over Hutchinson’s head and into the back of the net.

Despite having a few players out due to injury, this was one of the best performances the Highlanders have had this season.

Next week the Highlanders will take on the Demon Knights from Armidale in their last home game for the season at Wilson Park kicking off at 1.00pm.

In fourth division the Highlanders were beaten by DKs in Armidale. The three - nil loss against a lower ranked side puts the Highlanders finals hopes in jeopardy meaning they need a win or draw the final match of the season.

This match will be played at home against third placed Souths, and the players will have to improve their performance as they can not afford to lose this match.