| Gadeside Rangers kicked off their Premier Division campaign with a comfortable victory over last season's Division One winners, Watford Eagles. Despite the one sided scoreline, the game was infact a relatively close affair - but the superior finishing of the visitors gave them victory. |
| Russ Popplewell was the star of the show bagging an incredible four goals from midfield. His first was without a doubt the best as he collected a deep cross, before volleying back across goal ala Steven Gerrard style. It was he again who doubled lead when he flicked home an Adam Hills free kick. However, the hosts came back into the game just before half-time as the Gadeside defence failed to clear their lines. |
| But the second half belonged to Gadeside who wrapped up the game with a couple of quick goals just after half-time. Tom Mitchell opened his accounts with a well taken goal and Popplewell completed his hat-trick with another class finish. The hosts clearly wilted in the heat as Gadeside took full advantage. |
| Sub' Tariq Khan grabbed the fifth with a cool lofted finished over the advancing keeper before Popplewell rounded off an excellent start as headed home from Toby Zhou's left wing corner. An excellent way to kick off the new campaign. |
| Rob Metcalf, Ian Freeman, Jason Brownhill, Danny Everritt (Jay Evans), Matt Evans, Daniel Brooks, Russ Popplewell, Balraj Singh, Tom Mitchell, Adam Hills (Toby Zhou), Andy Davies (Tariq Khan) |