| Gadeside Rangers player-manager Adam Hills was delighted with his sides battling point against favourites for the league title, Headstone Athletic. Gadeside showed a defiance, so clearly lacking in past weeks - to scupper Headstone's title bid with a fine defensive display. It could all have been so much more had Ivanz Mani converted a golden opportunity in the final minutes. |
| Hills was left with major selection problems with Ian Freeman, Tariq Khan, Ben Higginson, Rob Metcalf, Gary Cook and Daniel Brooks missing out for various reasons. Russ Popplewell returned after a month out through injury to play in goal in place of the suspended Metcalf while Evren Altinok made his Gadeside debut. The hosts put Gadeside under early pressure but it was Altinok who had should have done better when he raced clear - but his shot was blocked. |
| Gadeside did take the lead on 15 minutes through Ivanz Mani. His original corner was only half cleared and the wingman sent in a powerful shot from a wide position which the home keeper could only push into his own net. Again, Headstone enjoyed long spells of possession but rarely troubled Popplewell in the home goal. At the other end, Shanton Towle saw a low drive deflected wide while Toby Zhou fired straight at the keeper. Headstone did draw level minutes before half-time when Gadeside failed to clear allowing John Constant the chance to level - though his scuffed shot trickled aggonisingly in off the post. |
| The second half was much the same story, with Headstone enjoying the better of the possession and Gadeside looking to play on the counter attack. Russ Popplewell made a wonder save low to his left when he deflected a clearance from Gadeside defender Matt Evans onto the post - but that was as close as Headstone came. At the other end, a low cross by Altinok saw a fierce Zhou shot blocked before, with full time approaching - a quick free kick by Tom Mitchell set Mani away. With just the keeper to beat, he skied his effort way over the bar. |
| A draw was probably a fair result. Gadeside defended very well with the Evans brothers rocks in defence. Headstone had a lot of the game but failed to convert possession into clear cut chances. |
| Russ Popplewell, Danny Everritt, Jason Brownhill, Matt Evans, Jay Evans, Shanton Towle, Ivanz Mani, Adam Hills, Toby Zhou, Tom Mitchell, Evren Altinok |