| Gadeside Rangers will be crowned champions if they pick up a point in their final game away at Abbots Langley after they produced one of their best displays of the season to beat Headstone Athletic in a match filled with drama. |
| Tom Oliver made a return in goal and had an excellent game throughout whilst there was also a return for Daniel Brooks in the heart of the midfield. Gadeside started like a house on fire and could have taken the lead as early as the third minute when Tariq Khan's marauding run into the box saw Dan Campbell well placed but his volley went into the ground and up over the bar. However the deadlock was broken on 14 minutes when good work by Khan and Campbell saw the latter send in a low cross to the onrushing Jay Evans who beat his marker and toe-poked the ball past the keeper via the post. Gadeside were well on top by now and should have doubled their lead when another low cross by Khan saw Adam Hills miskick when only four yards out and the ball was hacked off the line. Minutes later, Hills was sent clear by Brooks and his low cross saw both Khan and Campbell swing and miss at the ball with the goal gaping. |
| Gadeside were left to rue those missed chances on 40 minutes when Headstone drew level with their first real attack. The visitors counter attacked after a poor corner by Gadeside and a left wing cross was half cleared to where Jason Choat was left unmarked to slot home. The second half started with a bang with the games major turning point. Headstone should have gone ahead when Jimmy Devine ghosted into the box unmarked to control and fire at goal only for Tom Oliver to stick out a foot and deflect the ball away - a truly stunning save. From that moment on Gadeside were in fine form and regained the lead on 62 minutes. Good pressing by Freeman and Shurville saw the letter send in an inch perfect cross to Adam Hills who didn't have to break stride to cooly slot home. The lead was extended just minutes later with a goal of route one class. Tom Oliver's huge clearance saw Dan Campbell turn his defender superbly and slide the ball past the keeper to make it 3-1. |
| Adam Hills then saw a shot on the turn come back off the post while both Jay Evans and Daniel Brooks contrived to miss further gilt edged the chances as Gadeside looked to clinch the game. When the fourth did come - the goal came in humourous circumstances. Taking the ball down on the edge of the box, Tom Shurville's effort shouldn't have caused many problems but the visiting keeper allowed the ball to squeeze through his legs and roll agonisingly over the line. The game then turned sour as an off the ball altercation ensued at which Daniel Brooks was given his marching orders for violent conduct. Despite being a man down Gadeside continued to play some good football, especially on the counter attack and that is where the fifth goal came from. Jay Evans danced his way into the box and delivered an inch perfect ball to Dan Campbell who steered a volley across the goal into the far corner. Headstone grabbed a goal back when Dan Appiah scored from close range after a free-kick was not cleared properly. But a fantastic day was rounded off in the final minutes when Dan Campbell completed his hat-trick with a cool finish after receiving a pass from Ben Higginson. |
| Said Adam Hills: "It was a relief to put the two previous games behind us and get back on the winning trail. We were excellent today, we moved the ball well and our delivery and decision making were top drawer. We are nearly there. It will take one almighty f**k up from here to lose it but we wont become complacent." |
| Tom Oliver, Ian Freeman, Justyn Walcott, Matt Evans, James Bridges, Daniel Brooks, Tariq Khan (Ben Higginson), Tom Shurville, Adam Hills (Daniel Everritt), Dan Campbell, Jay Evans (Ivanz Mani) |