It is with great sadness that I announce that former player Lee “Vitz” McVicker has passed away.
Lee was possibly the most gifted player ever to pull on the Famous “Out of Town/Wheatsheaf shirt and was certainly the scorer of the best goal I have ever seen in amatuer football.
On behalf of the club and players past and present I send our condolensces.
Smithfield rue missed opportunities in the first half to collapse to a 5-0 defeat in the second.
Had one save to make first half, dropped the ball for the crucial second goal in the second, not at his best today (but was ill if I do say so myself -Ian).
7/10
Was at fault for the first goal, but battled well after that, linked up well with Craig down the right.
8/10
Sound performance again from the left back, was felled by an atrocious tackle in the second half, but dusted himself down and carried on.
8/10
Strange for him to play on a Sunday since he’s discovered God. Took 15 minutes to settle back in but performed well after that.
8/10
Not a lot he could do about the first 2 goals, showed how easy it was when moved to midfield the last half hour.
8/10
Gave the ball away too cheaply at times, should have had at least one goal, never gave up when all seemed lost.
8/10
Outstanding commitment in the middle of the park, could have had a goal, never let the opposition rest.
9/10
Struggled with the pace of the game first half, was more of a threat in the closing stages.
7/10
Managed to hit the post twice in the same move in the first half, needed to have the ball played simply in the second, made the runs, needs the ball.
7/10
Turned up after a late call, should have had 3 goals but was denied by an inspired keeper, passenger in the second half.
7/10
Should have had at least 2 goals, showed his lack of match fitness in the second half, still on the way to recovery.
7/10
None
Tudor – Working in Germany
Bagnall – Trip to Bristol via Gothenburg
A close fought battle for 76 minutes, but Grapes prove too good for the Smithfield who gown 2-0.
An outstanding defensive performance, praised by the opposition manager and admired by everyone who witnessed it. Kept the most potent forward line under control for 76 minutes.
10/10
Never stopped running, battled brilliantly in the midfield against a team that completely outplayed us in the previous game.
9/10
Not well today but gave a real captains performance by playing through the pain barrier.
9/10
Full of running, full of enthusiasm, always available for a pass.
9/10
Never stopped running all game, kept the midfield pressed back, always willing to help out in defence.
9/10
Gave everything he could, sadly the challenge was a bit too much for a player returning from injury.
8/10
Helped out in our hour of need, weel out of his depth but at least he turned up.
7/10
None
Harris– Now works for the church
Smith – Injured
Out for revenge against Beverly after an 8-1 humiliation away from home at the beginning of the season, Smithfield were without Central Defender Chopper Harris and midfielder Rob Evans. Due to this a change around in positions of some key players tipped the game in Beverly’s favour, and they ran out 2-0 winners.
Made some important saves in th first half hour, rarely troubled after that, couldn’t do much with either goal.
8/10
Scored his first goal of the season, unfortunately it was past our keeper, handled his opponent well and mad a remarkable goal line clearance.
8/10
Slotted in at full back for about an hour and did well, pushed up last 30 minutes to help in attack, good energy levels.
7/10
Controlled the back line well, made good interceptions and always delivered the right ball forward, opponenets man of the match.
8/10
Battled well in the heart of the defence, and became more comfortable as the game went on, always quick to get a tackle in.
8/10
game back after a knee injury, started cautiously but got better as the game went on, good to see him back.
7/10
Lead by example to take control of the midfield in the second half, ran himself into the ground.
8/10
Fantastic work rate up and down the pitch, never let the opposition get control and gradually forced them back into their own half.
8/10
Struggled to make an impression in the first half hour, but put in a great last hour to pressure the defence from wide.
7/10
Baffled doctors by playing a full game so soon after his operation and lasted the full 90 minutes oustanding effort.
9/10
Thrown in at the deep end but kept a talented defence on their toes for a good hour.
7/10
Came on for last 20 minutes to add energy up front did well when he came on.
7/10
Cobby- work
Evans – illness
Chopper – some poor excuse, no commitment
Baggaley – Playing for Britannia
Smithfield, yet to win in 2010, put in an excellent performance to stay in cup! A 2-0 win against Dision 1 outfit John Marston sees a 2-0 win, and first clean sheet of the season.
Clean sheet, distribution good and pulled off a self proclaimed “wonder save”. Good all round performance.
8/10
Steady performance. Good in the air and strong in challenge. Helped with very pleasing defensive performance.
8/10
Strong performance from the centre half, strikers never had a sniff. Distribution good as well.
9/10
Relationship with Chopper blooming, solid performance.
8/10
Closed the wing down to release Ford to support attack. Never looked troubled all game.
8/10
Positioning and runs were excellent, scored, robbed of goal and assist through poor decisions from ref and linesman. Finishing should have been better, should have had at least a hat trick.
8/10
Worked tirelessly throughout the game, distribution showed much improvement. Should have scored one-on-one.
8/10
Enjoying his midfield role, worked well defensively and distribution was excellent.
9/10
Worked hard all game, supported defence and attack equally. Some good runs with bal first half.
8/10
Didn’t give the centre half time at any stage in the game. Worked hard and tracked back when required. Robbed by ref for a legitimate goal.
8/10
Playing up front and held the ball up well. Seemed to suite the deeper (behind the forward role more) won everything in the air and created numberous chances. Scored an excellent goal by rounding the keeper.
8/10
Came on last 10 minutes, held the ball up well to keep pressure off defence.
7/10
Baggo – Who knows
Latham – Who knows
Craig (T) – Mid-season break
Smithfield are cheated of two penalties in a minute by the ref, and the opposition come down the other end to win 3-2.
It was a pleasure to watch you play on Sunday and now that we know we can do it, we need to get the consistency to perform to this level each week.
Come on you mighty Smithfield!
Master of the one on ones today, looked unbeatable at times and handled with confidence throughout.
9/10
Different player with protection in front of him, superb in the tackle and raided forward at will in the second half.
9/10
Held the back line together well, won possession and then played it simple to feet. Kept the pressure on the opposition back line from deep within his own half.
8/10
Good to see the Kidsgrove Nomad back in the heart of defence. Looked assured all game and turned defence into attack with good distribution. Hardly put a foot wrong.
8/10
Grew stronger as the game went on, gradually forced his winger back towards the halfway line, hardly ever gave the ball away.
9/10
Always available for a pass, great flick on for the first goal, got in some great positions and only the heavy pitch prevented him from scoring.
9/10
Work rate tremendous in the engine room of the team, carried the ball well and always posed a threat in possession.
9/10
like to know the Opta stats on how many times he had the ball, seemed to be involved in everything. Great driving force ion the middle of the pitch.
9/10
Forced his opponent that far back he was virtually playing up front. Carried the ball well on the heavy pitch and finished a fine move superbly for the second goal.
9/10
They just couldn’t handle him today, scored his usual goal a game, was outrageously denied a second by the goalkeeper in the pivotal point of the game.
9/10
Played with an injury but you wouldn’t have known it held the ball up front well linked up play, had a hand in both goals and kept the 2 centre halves busy all game.
9/10
None
Jones – Knee operation
Baggo – Chelsea
Latham – Ankle injury
Smith – Knee injury
Take the 8-2 home loss in context with a scratch team out, an awful lot of bad luck, and good opposition, the performance of some players was exceptional and will prove that with a full team we will have nothing to fear from Signalman. We will have learned a hell of a lot more about them than they have about us and it’s up to the mighty Smithfield to use that to our advantage when we next meet.
Had a busy day in goal, let in 8, will be disappointed with a couple of them, will be gutted with the penalty “save”. Opponents man of the match.
7/10
Showed real commitment in an under pressure back line, was often outnumbered but never gave up. His tackle for the penalty was a classic.
7/10
Backs against the wall stuff from the gritty defender, under constant pressure during the second half but battled to the end.
7/10
Last but not least of the “3 Amigos” at the back (or should that be 3 “howmanygoals”). Really put in a good shift and tried his best to slow down play and keep possession. Scored from the spot.
7/10
Never stopped running all game, battled well to create the 1st goal and stood tall in the land of the giants that was midfield.
7/10
Powerful display in midfield and everywhere else on the pitch, work rate was exceptional and he ran himself into the ground.
8/10
Good that he was back in these desperate times, battled well and scored his expected goal.
7/10
A career threatening knee injury didn’t stop him from donning the famous red shirt, showed a cool head and his pass completion rate was up there with the best.
9/10
Showed that when the going gets tough it’s gonna get tougher when he’s got the ball. Needs to keep the ball more and give the defence a rest.
5/10
Emergency signing, ran himself into the ground within an hour, was up against strong defenders, but hey he gave it his best shot.
10/10
Signed on the day and showed enough to prove with a good side around him he can do a job. Played as the lone striker and managed to keep the defence on edge all game.
10/10
None
Bagnall – Slight strain
Jones – Knee operation
Baggo – Who knows?
Latham – Ankle injury
Smith – Knee injury
Tudor – Yet another day trip (LEEDS)
Outclassed and outplayed, Smithfield concede 7 for no reply on a great pitch against Grapes.
Seemed shaky at first then for a spell had to single handedly keep the opposition at bay, let in 7 goals though.
7/10
Battled well when our backs were against the wall, found himself out numbered as full back pushed forward.
7/10
Under pressure for most of the game with 4 of the goals coming from his side of the pitch. Never let his head go down, was replaced on the hour.
7/10
Really couldn’t do much for any of the goals which is surprising when you let in 7, kept the back line out well.
7/10
Felt sorry for the lad having given 3 goals away through his mistakes, on another day he’d have got away with it but Grapes were ruthless up front.
5/10
Struggled defensively, and needs to pick out his pass quicker when going forward. He has the pace and needs to use it more as a weapon.
6/10
Never really looked comfortable in the middle and dropped further back as the game went on. Needs to find his pass much quicker.
6/10
Should be more vocal to prevent players being seemingly unmarked and less critical when the inevitable happens because they are. Over run in the middle.
6/10
Struggled to cope with the full back pushing forward, tried to find a good pass but was often hit and miss.
6/10
Ran himself into the ground and was often fighting a lone battle up front, work rate terrific, movement really good.
8/10
Never a threat, poor workrate and made it hard for his team with his lack of movement off the ball. Didn’t keep there defenders occupied.
5/10
Came on in the second half and looked strong, gave us what we had been missing for an hour.
7/10
Caused problems in the last half hour, made some good runs but didn’t get the ball he deserved. Looked tired after 14 minutes though.
7/10
Lat
Harris – Sickness
Baggo– Hamstring
Mark – ???
Matt G – ???
Former player of the season Kevin “Giggsy” jones has suffered a sickening blow to his recovery from Achilles heel surgery.
The talanted winger well know for his gracefulness and balance stumbled on a “piece of rough ground” and tore the his Achilles. To make matters worse he has also broken his ankle in the freak accident. His leg is back in plaster and his come back target of March 2012 now seems beyond him.
Best wishes go out to Kevin and his family.
It was a welcome return to football as the Mighty Firestarters travelled to Cobridge for the Premier cup tie against Grange Park Rangers. Smithfield had their chances and on balance should have won the game, but a last minute extra-time goal for Grange Park sealed the win and Smithfield crashed out of the cup.
This game will be remembered for the cowardly attack on skipper Tony Bagnall by the Grange Park forward, who punched Bagnall in the back of the head, unprovoked, when a handbags scuffle broke out after a Grange Park made a two-footed tackle on the skipper.
The game will also be remembered for Fordy’s Hand-of-God-Henry handball that took the game to extra time.
Did well in difficult conditions and under a bombardment of long throws, was beaten by 3 one on ones, a penalty and a fluke free kick.
8/10
Battled well and put their defence under pressure with good balls forward, ran himself into the ground, only one goal came from his side where he got caught out positionally.
8/10
Asked to play left back and did a sound job, good balls forward, strong tackling, played safe when needed and looked confident on the ball.
8/10
Outstanding game in the heart of the defence, tackled well, good distribution and dangerous free kicks.
9/10
Another good game at the back, unlucky to concede the 3rd penalty in 2 games. Made some great interceptions and played the ball well from the back.
8/10
Scored a hand ball goal, but should have had at least 3 others, guilty of wasting the ball in extra time when players were free and in good positions.
7/10
Gradually gained control of the midfield and battled well until he had a little sleep in the 89th minute. Only player not to know he was sent off.
8/10
Scored and battled well in midfield, good passes and strong in the air, ran himself to a standstill and was replaced in the 71st minute.
8/10
Kept possession well and was involved in most of the goods moves down the right, kept the pressure on the fullback and could have scored in extra time to win the game.
8/10
Good all round performance, scored a cracking goal, was always willing to chase down a lost cause. Always a threat up front.
8/10
Scored a cracking goal, but should really have sown the game up in extra time, needs to work harder when he hasn’t got possession.
7/10
Harris – Sickness
Cobby – Working
Mark – ???
Matt G – ???
Signalman – The Smithfield
0 - 0
20. Match Day
| Pos | Team | Pld | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | • | Beverly | 8 | 19 |
| 2 | ↑ | AFC007 | 7 | 15 |
| 3 | ↓ | Grapes | 8 | 14 |
| 4 | • | Signalman | 8 | 13 |
| 5 | ↓ | Grange Park Rangers | 7 | 11 |
| 6 | ↓ | The Smithfield | 8 | 10 |
| 7 | • | George & Dragon | 10 | 3 |
| 8 | • | Shamblers | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | • | Sneyd Arms | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | • | Dresden Park Inn | 3 | 0 |
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