| A solitary goal just before half-time by Dan Campbell was enough to give Gadeside Rangers a narrow victory over Abbots Langley to secure a place in the Birkdale Cup final where they will play AFC Rangers. |
| This was far from a vintage Gadeside performance but it was one which in the past Gadeside would have lost as they came under some intense late pressure. Gadeside pushed Abbots back in the early exchanges without making a significant blow. Jay Evans and Dan Campbell were both off target while Adam Hills saw a free-kick sail over the top. At the other end, Gadeside were indebted to Tom Oliver who stood up and saved well when Sookin broke the offside trap and was through on goal. Gadeside grabbed the games only goal on 42 minutes when Jay Evans found Dan Campbell who fought off a defender's challenge and though his shot wasn't struck cleanly - it was enough to wrongfoot the Abbots keeper. Seconds later a mazy run by John Wilkins saw Campbell in front of goal but he snatched at his shot and sliced the ball wide. |
| The second half was a relatively scrappy affair with the bobbly and skiddy surface making it difficult to play good football. Both Hills and Evans wasted golden opportunities when heading over from corners while at the other end a dangerous free kick was whipped across the face of the Gadeside goal. With the game becoming stretched, Gadeside found themselves under increasing pressure but looking dangerous on the counter attack. Campbell fired wildly over when he should have played in Wilkins and the contrived to fluff a simple one on one chance when he was given the freedom of Watford to advance on goal. That miss nearly proved oh so costly. With their final attack of the game, Abbots launched another long free kick forward. Ben Higginson cleared the intitial ball but if fell to an Abbots defender who volleyed back at goal. It was destined for the back of the net before Tom Oliver somehow got around to palm the ball around the post. A truly inspirational save. |
| The resultant corner was purposely headed away by Justyn Walcott - which epitomised his and the rest of the defences' performance and Gadeside were able to celebrate reaching their third cup final in as many seasons. |
| Tom Oliver, Ian Freeman, Justyn Walcott, Ben Higginson, Matt Evans, Danny Everritt, Ivanz Mani (Matthew Barrett), Jay Evans, Adam Hills, Dan Campbell, John Wilkins |