| In their final league game of the season Gadeside Rangers Reserves registered a welcome victory against a Radlett Road side who had beaten them 4-1 just two weeks ago. With the cup final approaching the away team were playing for their places in the starting XI as well as trying to round off a season, which in all honesty could have gone better - with three points. |
| The game started with neither team taking control as the home team opted to try balls over the top without much luck while Gadeside tried to carve Radlett apart with some short passing however a lot of passes were going astray. The home team started to enjoy some success with the through balls more and a couple of times only last ditch tackles or brave goalkeeping from Darren Hufford got Gadeside out of jail. Gadeside came close to scoring when a tame Chris Fitzpatrick shot was fumbled by the 'keeper with Stu Cartner following up the effort, however as he hit the ball the Radlett 'keeper managed to get back to his feet to block the strike. Fitzpatrick went close again as a cross from Mike Ashby was volleyed just narrowly over the top of the crossbar. The home team then were on the ascendancy until the half time whistle went to the relief of the Gadeside defence. |
| The second half brought a much more lively start for Gadeside straight from the kick off as some good play between Brownhill and Kayembe led to a shot sailing wide from 30 yards from Brownhill. Gadeside kept the pressure up and earned a few corners which were almost converted. Then came the breakthrough as a corner was half cleared back to the taker Brownhill who swung in an un-defendable ball in the box leaving the Radlett defender Elliott Staff with no chance but to leave the ball or risk an own goal. The ball glanced off his head to beat his own keeper at the near post to make it 1-0. With the home team chasing the game and getting more and more frustrated, a moment of madness from Radlett striker O'Farrell led to a straight red card after twice attempting to punch stand in centre half Matthew Barrett and twice missing him as well as head butting Graeme Cole. This was enough for the player to be ordered off the pitch. With this Radlett's head went down and rarely threatened for the rest of the game with Gadeside holding out in convincing style. It even gave Paul Bangs a chance to have a couple of shot/clearances from about 40 yards out, nothing to trouble the opposing goalie unfortunately. |
| This victory leaves the Gadeside Reserves team with a record of played 14, Won 6, Drrew 1 and Lost 7 and leaves a finish above Colne Valley Royals so all in all not a terrible season however there is much room for improvement. As the league stands Gadeside are fourth however Radlett Road still have two games to make up the 2 point gap and with a superior goal difference it means in their first season Gadeside will most likely finish 5th and have reached a cup final too. |
| Darren Hufford, Paul Bangs, Bob Flint (Matthew Barrett), Ben Higginson, Fionntan Murphy, Jason Brownhill, Mike Ashby, Chris Fitzpatrick, Stuart Cartner, Michael Kayembe, Graeme Cole (Paul Ready) |