| Gadeside Rangers are still on track for promotion and a potential league title after they secured a much deserved 1-0 win over Division One league leaders West Herts - who themselves needed just a point to secure the league title. The result throws the title race wide open now as Gadeside need at least a point from their midweek game with Mill End Sports ahead of what would become a title showdown match with West Herts again this coming Sunday. Tom Mitchell's moment of genius on 74 minutes gave Gadeside the win they required and ensured the most exciting end of season in their history. |
| Gadeside went with the same side that had started the game with Wellington Arms the week before and like that game, Gadeside came out of the blocks at a ferocious pace. Russ Popplewell and James Bryon on the wings were a threat to the hosts for 90 minutes and Gadeside could have been three goals up within the first 15 minutes. First a left wing free kick by Jason Brownhill saw Adam Hills escape his mark and power a header towards the far post. The home keeper reacted superbly to make up ground and tip the ball round the post for a corner. From the resulting corner, Hills picked out Jay Evans and his bullet header smashed a West Herts defender on the line before it was cleared to safety. How much he knew about it only he will know. Next Tom Mitchell turned well and fed James Bryon who appeared to be pushed in the back as he raced through the middle but referee Smith was not interested. The home side came into the game in the lead up to the half-time break but all their play was in front of the Gadeside defence who were relatively untroubled. |
| The home side's attitude was summed up just after the restart as the keeper seemed perfectly happy to hold the ball in his area, an apparent sign that West Herts were happy to play for the draw. Both sides cancelled each other out in the early parts of the second half as a hint of desperation crept into Gadeside's game as they abandoned their natural passing game and went a little route one. Home winger Saleh fired a powerful drive from 30 yards but his effort was straight at Tom Oliver. Gadeside began to get on top again with the tireless running of James Bryon causing problems and it was from his run beyond the midfield that led to the winning goal. The home keeper came rushing out of his goal to meet Bryon and the ball broke lose to Tom Mitchell who fired the ball back first time from all of 35 yards. Time seemed to slow down as the ball spun nastily towards the far post but crucially it crept inside the post and in to spark mass scenes of jubilation from the Gadeside squad. |
| Suddenly West Herts were playing with some urgency but Tom Oliver and his back four were on top form and restricted the hosts to a couple of half chances. In truth, it was Gadeside who still looked the more likely to score. James Bryon missed a glorious chance when he snatched at an effort from 6 yards while Dave Nelmes' effort from the edge of the area was dragged wide. Gadeside should have been awarded a penalty with 3 minutes left on the clock when Bryon's low right wing cross was perfectly in the path of the onrushing Mitchell who was then roughly shoved off the ball as he was poised to finish. Incredibly again, referee Smith waved away the protests. But Gadeside were not to be denied and they took all three points to set up a thrilling finish to the season. |
| Manager Adam Hills was full of praise for his players but quick to keep their feet grounded: "That was a cracking performance and a fully deserved 3 points. But we still have to remember that we haven't won anything yet and we have a very tough game against Mill End Sports on Wednesday night. Our minds must be focused on that and that alone." |
| Tom Oliver, Ian Freeman, Jason Brownhill, Matt Evans, Jay Evans, Daniel Brooks, James Bryon, Dave Nelmes, Adam Hills (Will Byrne), Tom Mitchell, Russ Popplewell |