| Gadeside Rangers went goal crazy as they battered sorry Leavesden Green to move four points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand. Dan Campbell was the star of the show as he grabbed a double hat-trick to make it an incredible 13 goals in just 5 starts since signing from Headstone Athletic. |
| Adam Hills had the luxury of fielding a full 16 man squad and was finally able to give James Bridges his debut after an impressive pre-season. It didn’t take long for Gadeside to take the lead when Daniel Brooks fired into the top corner from the edge of the box. Toby Zhou continued his rich vein of goalscoring form when he cooly slotted into the far corner after being set up by Campbell while James Bridges brought a superb save from the home keeper, diving full length to turn away his close range volley. Leavesden were dealt a double blow midway through the first half as both their central defenders suffered injuries and were unable to continue leaving them to carry on with just 9 men. Gadeside continued to create chances at will and Dan Campbell finally got on the scoresheet when rounding the keeper to (just about) fire home. |
| Gadeside changed to a more attacking formation and went looking for goals in the second half and they were not to be disappointed. Dan Campbell completed his hat-trick with two quickfire goals, the second a delightful half-volley across the keeper. Leavesden pulled one back when a speculative drive from fully 35 yards lobbed Sam Green in the Gadeside goal. But normal service was resumed when Campbell grabbed his fourth when pouncing on a poor goal kick while Ivanz Mani got in on the act with a near post finish. Gadeside were getting through the Leavesden defence with embarrasing ease and sub Tariq Khan was next to score with a cool finish moments after coming on. Campbell's fifth was the pick of the bunch as he scored with an audacious 30 yard volley. |
| James Bridges finally got the goal he deserved with a close range finish from a Mani cross and Tom Oliver rifled home his first goal for the club since February 2005. Typically, the scoring was rounded off by Campbell who celebreated his double hat-trick with another cool finish against the hapless Leavesden keeper. Credit to Leavesden who didn't give up but they were simply overwhelmed by a team oozing in confidence. A big test against Abbots Langley awaits next week. |
| After the game, Adam Hills commented: "I don’t like being manager anymore, I don't know who to pick…this is gonna be difficult. On a serious note, with all due respect, today wasn't a challenge - but you still have to beat what is put in front of you. So credit where credit's due. |
| Sam Green, Daniel Everritt, Ian Freeman (Balraj Singh), Matt Evans, Tom Oliver, Daniel Brooks (Ben Higginson), Ivanz Mani, James Bridges, Dan Campbell, Toby Zhou (Tariq Khan), Adam Hills |