Having faced each other twice already this month, Gate were looking to avenge their considered arch rivals, after New Street took the honours in both pre-season friendlies. 

It was a packed Gate changing room as eighteen players announced their presence.  New Street brought a decent following in what turned out to be an explosive affair.  No surprise as this time points were on the line.  With the freshly cut grass courtesy of the Council, both teams played a neat passing game,  New Street looked particularly sharp on the attack and it wasn't long before they took an early lead.  A long ball, which just happened to catch the wind, hung and swirled in the air before the New Street striker (Joey?) nodded it in from the edge of the area past the out-rushing Gate keeper. 

Gate struggled for territorial advantage, but Kes and Gaz Anders were immense in defence as most of the play came down the right flank.  Gate had less of the possession but did have the potent combination of last season’s top scorer Paul Barrow and new signing Ant Babbs.  Barrow first had a good chance saved before rebounding to Babbs, who coolly slotted the ball in to the top corner from an acute angle. 

The rest of the half was a dogged affair as the game became scrappy.  Perhaps Gaz Kenny, no8 for New Street was the culprit. Gate knew about the soaring hot-head from the previous two games, but there was little they could do as Kenny (cousin of Andy) tore in to the Gate side with a tide of relentless fouling and ranting to match. Gate desperately missed tough-man Jason Chilton who berated from the touchline. Street’s no8 looks a good player on the ball, but there was little football being played as half time drew close.  In fact, referee Smith informed the Gate players that the instruction of 'Chop him' & 'Bring him down' were coming from Street captain and central midfielder partner to Gaz Kenny, Ste Unsworth.

In the second half Gate found it hard to get out of their own half as New Street pressed for a second.  After being inflicted constantly by Gaz Kenny, Ste Maziere stood up and locked horns with the troublemaker for a painful half minute.  It ignited the match even more and the levels of testosterone from players to spectators reached high levels.  The game needed Stuart Hall, but he wasn't there, so, on the game went.

New Street scored another goal as they broke down the Gate left. The cross came in and was cleared back out, but it came back in again and 3 or 4 New Street players were stood waiting at the far post to curl the ball home. 

Ant Babbs created his own chances, going close on a number of occasions courtesy of his sweet left foot.  Babbs is constantly being compared to Andrew Cole, not afraid to miss, he promises to tally a flood of goals.

New Street scored another tap in following a goal mouth scramble (Joey again?) as Gate again capitulated late on. 

With Ste Costello’s addition to the team, Gate have an excellent defence and question marks will be raised over the midfield for a lack of possession.

At the final whistle tempers flared once more, but Gate had to accept they were beaten by the better team…again.

Phil Schonewille; Gaz Anders, Karl Skelland, Ste Costello, Nick Tickle (Ste Maziere); Gaz Maziere, Matt Pape, Lee Barrow, Martin Hudson (Dan Oakes); Paul Barrow, Ant Babbs;

Subs Not Used: Adam Hayes, Jeff Voller, 

Goals: Ant Babbs