| Gadeside Rangers kicked off their 2007/8 campaign with a well deserved victory against Wealdstone FC's reserve side with a 3-2 victory which left player-manager Adam Hills purring. |
| Once Gadeside realised they had little to fear from their 'semi-professional' opposition, they soon began to take the game to Wealdstone though chances at both ends were few and far between. Tom Shurville rifled a left footed half-volley over the bar and both Tariq Khan and Matthew Barrett miscued when clean through on goal. At the other end Sam Green saved a free kick low down to his right. Gadeside had the ball in the net right on half time when Tariq Khan turned in Matt Evans' downward header - but the referee ruled out the goal for offside. |
| The game didn't remain goalless for long though as Gadeside went ahead when Tom Shurville met a John Wilkins near post corner with a powerful header into the top corner. Rob Metcalf saved well from a fierce drive before Gadeside doubled their lead. Danny Everritt's right wing cross was only half cleared and Toby Zhou pounced to arrow a low drive into the far corner. Wealdstone did pull a goal back when Muanza rose unchallenged to head home. |
| The hosts began to put Gadeside under some increasing pressure but the back four, marshalled by the impressive James Bridges - stood firm and dealt with what came their way. With time running out - Gadeside regained their two goal when lead a Wealdstone defender made a mess of clearance as he toe-punted the ball into the top corner with Toby Zhou ready to pounce. Wealdstone pulled a last gasp goal back but Gadeside were not to be denied a very impressive victory. |
| Manager Adam Hills commented after the game; "I am well pleased with that. The attitutude shown so far during pre-season has been first-class and that result has come from a lot of hard work by the boys. It took us a few minutes to realise that we could match them and there were several exceptional individual performances. Plenty of positives and loads to build on." |
| Sam Green (Rob Metcalf), Danny Everritt, Ed Shurville, James Bridges, Matt Evans, Daniel Brooks, Matthew Barrett (Toby Zhou), Tom Shurville, Adam Hills (Ivanz Mani), Tariq Khan and John Wilkins |