| Gadeside Rangers took full advantage of the second chance that Mangans' expulsion from the league's premier cup competition presented them as they comfortably swept past premier division strugglers Garston Gunners. Had Gadeside been more clinical in the final third before and after the visitors were reduced to 10 men, the scoreline could have been far more flattering. Nevertheless, it was a very assured and professional performance by a Gadeside team who seem to be finding form as the right point of the season. |
| Tom Mitchell returned to the side to partner Tariq Khan in attack with Adam Hills moving to the right hand side of midfield. Khan looked lively in the early stages showing some nice touches as he linked up well with Russ Popplewell on the left. However, the first chance of the game came in route one fashion as Tom Oliver's long clearance allowed Mitchell to shake off a defender and have a clear run at goal but the Gunners' keeper did well to superbly block the effort and the ball was cleared. Good link up by Hills and Nelmes saw the latter cross for Khan whose toe-poked effort trickled just wide. Nelmes was in the thick of the action again moments later when his surging run and effort from 20 yards looped over the keeper but clipped the top of the crossbar while Matt Evans headed wide when well placed following a Hills corner. Gunners then had a short spell of pressure and a succession of corners and free-kicks and Hills had to clear a loose ball as it bobbled around the six yard box but for the most part, Gadeside defended well. |
| It was to be as close as the visitors got to scoring for the rest of the game and Gadeside were looking increasingly dominant with Nelmes and Brooks dictating the play from the middle of the park. Mitchell again came close to breaking the deadlock when he twisted past a defender but was once more thwarted by a good low save by the Gunners keeper who then brilliantly denied Russ Popplewell after he had danced his way in from the left hand side. But the game changed on 40 minutes as the visitors were reduced to 10 men; Hills' left wing corner was met by the head of Mitchell and with the ball on its way in, a Gunners defender saved the ball with his hand on the line leaving referee Smith no option but to send the player off. Tom Mitchell confidently stepped up to convert from the spot and give Gadeside a half-time lead they thoroughly deserved. |
| At the break Hills told his players to keep their concentration and they would win. That is exactly what they did and while Gunners enjoyed a good share of the possession, they never threatened and found Gadeside's defence a hard nut to crack. Gadeside got the all important second goal on the hour when Dave Nelmes reacted well to steer home a low drive from 12 yards after Jay Evans header had been blocked. Gunners pressed forward in search of a quick response while Gadeside seemed content to sit and play on the counter attack. Still the passing was excellent but a final ball seemed to be lacking. Nelmes fired at the keeper and Brooks saw a shot blocked before Gadeside wrapped up the win with a classy third. Nelmes and Popplewell combined to free Bartosz Wiernik, who had only been on the pitch for a short while and he cooly finished past the keeper. |
| Another strong performance by Gadeside who always looked in control of the game. Defensively, Gadeside look as strong as they have done for a long time whilst in attack, if they can convert more of the chances they are creating they are a match for anyone. Gadeside will play either Dewhurst Guild or St Josephs in the quarter final. |
| Tom Oliver, Ian Freeman, Jason Brownhill, Matt Evans, Jay Evans, Daniel Brooks, Adam Hills (Ross Standaloft), Dave Nelmes, Tariq Khan (Bartosz Wiernik), Tom Mitchell, Russ Popplewell |