| Gadeside Rangers took another massive step towards securing their first Olympian League title with a narrow, but deserved win over old rivals Colne Valley. Goals came either side of the break with strikes from Dan Campbell and Tom Shurville and whilst Valley pulled a goal back late on, Gadeside held on relatively comfortable to make it 12 wins from twelve games this season. |
| Sam Green missed the game whilst away on a stag do so Tom Oliver took over the duties in goal and covered superbly throughout with an assured performance. Playing on a sticky pitch up the hill in the first half Gadeside found themselves under early pressure and Oliver had to be alert to claim a cross with Skinner waiting to pounce while Bonnick had a half chance at the far post but failed to connect with a right wing cross. At the other end - the returning Ivanz Mani proved to be a constant thawn in the visitors sides with a series of marauding runs. Adam Hills snatched a low shot just wide while Dan Campbell sent a 20 yard volley high and wide. |
| Gadeside began to get on top and find their passing game and took the lead on 31 minutes with their first real piece of football. Tom Shurville won the ball in midfield where Jay Evans and Ben Higginson combined to free Dan Campbell who sent a low drive through the keepers legs to give Gadeside the lead. The goal seemed to spark Valley back into life though for all their possession, they rarely threatened Oliver in the Gadeside goal. Gadeside played on the break with Hills, Campbell and Mani linking up well but unable to add a second goal. The Gadeside defence stood up to the late barrage of attacks just before half time with the defensive duo of Matt Evans and James Bridges outstanding. |
| With Gadeside playing down the hill in the second half - they enjoyed the bulk of possession - but like Valley in the first half - failed to create any clear cut chances. Ben Higginson saw a stunning volley from 25 yards hit the post while Campbell's shot across the face of goal was just in front of the onrushing Hills and Mani. Gadeside did double the lead on the hour mark when Tom Shurville fought off several challenges to hit a low drive from the edge of the box past the despairing dive of the keeper. Content with their lead, Gadeside sat back and looked to play on the break. However, Valley grabbed a goal back on 82 minutes when Anscomb bundled his way through before firing past Oliver. Valley put late pressure on but it was Gadeside who came closest to another goal when Campbell brought a superb save from the home keeper with a volley from the edge of the box. |
| Adam Hills was delighted after the game: "That's a massive result. It puts us 12 points clear of AFC so the pressure is on them. Valley are a decent side. They are solid and organised and I feel today we beat them at their own game. From 1 to 11 today everyone knew their jobs and did them admirably." |
| Tom Oliver, Ian Freeman, Justyn Walcott, James Bridges, Matt Evans, Ben Higginson (Jason Brownhill), Ivanz Mani (Tariq Khan), Tom Shurville, Adam Hills, Dan Campbell, Jay Evans |