| Gadeside Rangers' newly formed second string got off to a perfect start against MK Ginder Reserves in their first competitive game. The two teams were the only fixtures in the Olympian League with the majority of the other sides in Birkdale Cup action. |
| The game started well for Gadeside who saw a lot of the ball and were creating some good openings with Kevin Putman in particular having a couple of chances to open the scoring. Near the end of the half however the referee awarded the visitors a controversial penalty after Fiontann Murphy was seemingly shoved to the floor in the build up before Balraj Singh was unlucky to trip a Ginder player just inside the box. The resulting penalty was saved by Rob Metcalf however the follow up was converted by Dady and Ginder led 1-0 at the break. |
| The second half started with more of the same from Gadeside with some good football along with alot of possession before finally grabbing the equaliser when the ball was sprayed out from centre midfield to Graeme Cole on the left wing who beat his man before producing a pinpoint cross to find the head of Jason Brownhill who powered a header into the bottom corner from 12 yards. Gadeside were now on the front foot and a few minutes later Kevin Putman showed a moment of class when he cut in from the left beating his man with ease and smashing the ball in over the keeper from 25 yards out. Ginder had a few minutes of pressure with one of their moves ending in a shot from the striker which was destined for the top corner until Metcalf stretched out to reach and catch the ball in one move, definately for the camera's! It was 3-1 to the home side midway through the second half when some good work down the right from Chris Fitzpatrick earned Gadeside a corner which Jason Brownhill curled onto Chris Fitzpatrick's head and he powered the ball into the top corner leaving the man on the line with no chance. |
| There was a moment of madness from the referee where after awarding a free-kick to Gadeside in their own box for a shove and blowing the whistle, he then allowed play to continue and Kevin Putman was urged on as he got the ball in his own half and ran around two Ginder players before chipping the keeper and following the ball in from coming back off the bar. 4-1 to Gadeside and two superb solo efforts from man of the match Putman. Gadeside kept pressing even at this stage and were dealing well at the back with anything the away team had to offer with Matt Day dominant in the air and Fiontann Murphy stopping anything coming through on the ground. In the final stages Gadeside added another one to the goal difference tally when a long throw from Chris Fitzpatrick was flicked over the keeper by Scott Walker whose performance deserved a goal. |
| So a good start to the season for Dave Barnard's side who looked at times like they'd played together for months rather than weeks and currently sit top of the league. Now it's on to the County Cup at the weekend as Gadeside go looking to continue their impressive start to the league as they welcome Old Elizabethans III to King George. |
| Rob Metcalf, Paul Bangs, Balraj Singh, Matt Day, Fionntan Murphy, Scott Walker, Gilbert Karimi (Chris Fitzpatrick), Kevin Putman, Stuart Cartner (Dave Barnard), Jason Brownhill, Graeme Cole |