The Smithfield FC

A close fought battle for 76 minutes, but Grapes prove too good for the Smithfield who gown 2-0.

Stanway, Cobby, Tudor, Clarke, Askey

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

Maskery

Never stopped running, battled brilliantly in the midfield against a team that completely outplayed us in the previous game.
9/10

Bagnall

Not well today but gave a real captains performance by playing through the pain barrier.
9/10

Ford

Full of running, full of enthusiasm, always available for a pass.
9/10

Craig

Never stopped running all game, kept the midfield pressed back, always willing to help out in defence.
9/10

Jones (L)

Gave everything he could, sadly the challenge was a bit too much for a player returning from injury.
8/10

Middleton

Helped out in our hour of need, weel out of his depth but at least he turned up.
7/10

Subs

None

AWOL

Harris– Now works for the church
Smith – Injured

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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!

Stanway

Master of the one on ones today, looked unbeatable at times and handled with confidence throughout.
9/10

Clarke

Different player with protection in front of him, superb in the tackle and raided forward at will in the second half.
9/10

Harris

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

Tudor

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

Cobby

Grew stronger as the game went on, gradually forced his winger back towards the halfway line, hardly ever gave the ball away.
9/10

Ford

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

Maskery

Work rate tremendous in the engine room of the team, carried the ball well and always posed a threat in possession.
9/10

Askey

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

Craig

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

Evans

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

Bagnall

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

Subs

None

AWOL

Jones – Knee operation
Baggo – Chelsea
Latham – Ankle injury
Smith – Knee injury

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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.

Stanway

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

Clarke

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

Harris

Backs against the wall stuff from the gritty defender, under constant pressure during the second half but battled to the end.
7/10

Askey

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

Craig (M)

Never stopped running all game, battled well to create the 1^st goal and stood tall in the land of the giants that was midfield.
7/10

Maskery

Powerful display in midfield and everywhere else on the pitch, work rate was exceptional and he ran himself into the ground.
8/10

Evans

Good that he was back in these desperate times, battled well and scored his expected goal.
7/10

Craig (T)

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

Ford

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

Ben Plant

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

Greg Woodcock

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

Subs

None

AWOL

Bagnall – Slight strain
Jones – Knee operation
Baggo – Who knows?
Latham – Ankle injury
Smith – Knee injury
Tudor – Yet another day trip (LEEDS)

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Outclassed and outplayed, Smithfield concede 7 for no reply on a great pitch against Grapes.

Stanway

Seemed shaky at first then for a spell had to single handedly keep the opposition at bay, let in 7 goals though.
7/10

Clarke

Battled well when our backs were against the wall, found himself out numbered as full back pushed forward.
7/10

Harris

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

Askey

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

Tudor

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

Smith

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

Ford

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

Bagnall

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

Craig

Struggled to cope with the full back pushing forward, tried to find a good pass but was often hit and miss.
6/10

Maskery

Ran himself into the ground and was often fighting a lone battle up front, work rate terrific, movement really good.
8/10

Jones

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

Subs

Cobby

Came on in the second half and looked strong, gave us what we had been missing for an hour.
7/10

Latham

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

AWOL

Harris – Sickness
Baggo– Hamstring
Mark – ???
Matt G – ???

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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.

Stanway

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

Clarke

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

Harris

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

Askey

Outstanding game in the heart of the defence, tackled well, good distribution and dangerous free kicks.
9/10

Tudor

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

Ford

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

Bagnall

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

Baggeley

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

Craig

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

Maskery

Good all round performance, scored a cracking goal, was always willing to chase down a lost cause. Always a threat up front.
8/10

Jones (L)

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

AWOL

Harris – Sickness
Cobby – Working
Mark – ???
Matt G – ???

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Smithfield “clubbed” to death 8-1 by an average Blurton side.

Stanway

Let in 8 goals, thwarted another 4 one on ones, was left badly exposed by his team.
7/10

Clarke

Struggled early on with a pacy winger, found his feet before half time, went walkabout late on.
6/10

Askey

Filling in as part of a makeshift left side, never really settled at the back, good distribution early on.
6/10

Tudor

Marked their star player, battled well first half, found himself last man (and sometimes only man) in defence second half. Gave away 2 debatable penalties.
6/10

Bagnall

Drafted in at centre half, not bad first half, gradually got further away from the back line second half.
6/10

Smith

Had acres of room in first half to go forward, needed to defend a bit deeper to protect the defence more.
6/10

Maskery

Scored a well taken goal, never really commanded the midfield and needed to pass shorter to keep possession.
6/10

Baggeley

Good in the air, battled well but gradually got overrun in midfield.
7/10

Craig

Good work rate, scored the opener, Nobbled their winger, couldn’t pass to his team mates second half.
6/10

Ford

f only he’d chose to pass the ball when there’s a player available in the last 20 yards. Work rate an example to the rest of his team mates.
7/10

Jones (L)

Credit to him for turning up and playing 70 minutes with his injury, sadly he needed to play it simple to make an impact.
6/10

AWOL

Harris – Sickness
Cobby – Work
Latham – Ankle injury
Goldstraw – Back injury

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Whilst most other matches were rained off, Smithfield faced off against the Premiership whipping boys George & Dragon on a soggy Fenton Park pitch.

Stanway

Another sound display from the nine fingered keeper, handling faultless and good punched clearances throughout the game. Made a fine save late on but could do nothing about either goal.
9/10

Cobby

Growing in stature with every game, too strong for the opposition and looking more confident on the ball. Was a provider for the midfield throughout the game.
8/10

Clarke

The under-rated right back covered the width of the pitch across the back line, continually broke up their attacks and was impressive on the ball. Linked up well with the midfield and attack
8/10

Tudor

Blossoming under the guidance of ex team Captain Harris, Tackled well and often brought the ball out of defence to set up our attacking play. Made some great blocks in front of goal.
8/10

Harris

Again looked comfortable at the back and beginning to become the player we knew he could be. Confidence high tackled well and was far too good for the opposition.
8/10

Ford

– Scored his usual goal, which he took well, should have had a couple more. The free scoring midfielder was always available for a pass and tracked back to win possession. Good pass to set up the 4th goal but needs to work more on his distribution around the edge of the box.
8/10

Maskery

Took his goal well and did some good running off the ball and helped control the midfield for long periods in the game. Needs to believe in himself more in front of goal. Passing not up to his usual standard today.
7/10

Bagnall

The skipper returned from injury to put in a powerful performance. Totally controlled the midfield in a dominant first half and deserved his well taken headed goal. Short passing improving with every game. Needs to learn to slow the game down at times.
8/10

Craig

Always a thorn in the oppositions side, took his goal well after a great run from deep, was denied a couple more by good saves. Was caught having a little nap for their second goal.
8/10

Jones (L)

Good unselfish display up front, held the ball up and linked well with the midfield. Needed better supply when in the danger areas. Injured on the hour.
7/10

Askey

Outstanding in the first hour, was involved in everything, wanted the ball and his distribution was superb. Let his frustration get the better of him in the closing stages.
8/10

Smith

Came on for the last 30 minutes and made an instant impact setting up the 3rd goal, was denied by a good save, needs to time his runs better to beat the offside trap but this will come with more games.
8/10

Goldstraw

Came on for the last 10 minutes (according to the Gaffers dodgy Spanish watch) and quite frankly never put a foot wrong.
9/10

Latham & Seymour

Carrying an injury, Latham turned up in appalling conditions to cheer on his teammates. Good to see Seymour on the sideline.

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The Mighty Firestarters were on Champions League duty as they travelled to far off Wolverhampton to face Portabello Royal Oak.

They lead 2-1 for 44 minutes in the second half, only to concede a last minute header from a free-kick. After extra time the score remained 2-2 and it went to penalties…. only for the Smithfield to cruelly lose 2-3.

Ratings are as follows:-

Stanway

Was unlucky with the first goal, could do nothing about the second. Handled well throughout and made a couple of brave saves to keep the tie alive.
8/10

Cobby

It took him 10 minutes to suss out his winger, but from then on had him in his pocket, tackled and cleared the ball well. Man of the match performance.
9/10

Clarke

Strong in the tackle as ever, never stopped running and was always pushing the team forwards, a superb performance and he kept up his record of never missing a penalty, oh no sorry he missed.
9/10

Tudor

Good to see him back in the heart of the defence, did well after a shaky start and got in some crucial tackles.
8/10

Harris

Marshalled the back line well and played some good balls forward to set us on an attack, Restored the faith in the offside tactic.
8/10

Ford

Good going forwards, needs to work on his defensive duties more, lack of discipline saw him often on the edge of the wrong box when they attacked. Scored his penalty
7/10

Bagnall

Not one of his best games in the engine room, often caught in possession, and watching play from the halfway line. Injury in the second half didn’t help.
6/10

Maskery

Normally a great passer of the ball but somehow lost his touch today when simple options were available.
6/10

Craig

Worked well down the right, was unlucky to have a goal disallowed through a dubious offside decision, tracked back well.
7/10

Jones (L)

Good to see him back, took his goal well and should have had another, needed more supply to be a real threat. Quite rightly has more important things on his mind.
8/10

Askey

Took his goal superbly to put us in front. Worked well first half, tapered off after half time. Did well considering his injury. Scored his penalty.
7/10

Baggeley

Managed to get 45 minutes on the pitch, tried to play football when he came on. Needs to get fitter and become a regular in the side.
7/10

Goldstraw

Nicknamed the “wizard of dribble” after an amazing run down the left. Will gradually force a starting place in the near future.
7/10

AWOL

Latham

Niggly ankle injury.

Special Guest of Honour

Kevin Jones, who makes crutches look cool. 10/10

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Oh dear an absolute mauling at the hands of Beverly (8-1).

So what went wrong?
Was it the tactics? (tried and tested against better teams successfully)
Was it the attitude of the players?
Was it the commitment of the players?
Was it the pre-match instructions?(get closer to the player you are marking etc.)
Was it just one of those days?
Or is it those damn Aliens interfering again?

Whatever the reason we must learn from this game and quickly if we are to establish ourselves as a credible Premiership side.

Ratings are as follows:-

Stanway

Let in 8, had a tantrum at halftime,suggested that when he shouts “keepers ball” he doesn’t want team mates to leave it for him.
5/10

Clarke

Chased shadows first half, claims he had 3 players running at him first half, but never thought to sort out this problem until halftime.
5/10

Jones

Career threatening injury forced him off after 16 minutes, our thoughts are with him.
4/10

Harris

As a central defender was too often too far away from the rest of his back line. Tried in vain to get the backline up to the halfway line.
5/10

Askey

Got forced further and further back as his confidence drained away. Better second half.
5/10

Latham

A lot of enthusiasm, needs to channel it better, will have to learn to dominate his opposite number.
5/10

Maskery

Got lost in the midfield vacuum, needs to show more commitment when things are going badly, was too often in the different half of the pitch to the ball.
5/10

Bagnall

When the going gets tough you need the Captain to encourage and lead the fight from the front. Head went down after 3rd goal and never came back up. Needs to see the problems on the pitch and sort them out. There’s no excuse for players running around unmarked. This should be a basic fix.
4/10

Craig

Was like a magnet for the goal kicks, Needs to use his pace and ability to destroy average players who only look good because we play the high ball. Better second half.
5/10

Ford

Dismal performance as a front man, even worse when he came to help out his defence second half, obviously never heard of a “give and go” pass. Never gave the opposition a problem all game.
4/10

Jones

Took his goal well, sadly didn’t do much else, was too easily pushed off the ball, Never put any pressure on the defenders when they had the ball.
3/10

Cobby

Came on for Jones and looked shaky at first, much better when he picked up the pace of the game. The only honest performance on the team.
6/10

Goldstraw

Worst possible game to make his debut, but gave it a go when he came on.
6/10

AWOL

Baggo

Maybe we shouldn’t rely on a player who can’t be bothered to turn up. Manager’s patience beginning to wear thin.

Tudor

Hopefully back for good next week

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Well, the Smithfield started their European Cup adventure away at Duke of York with a comfortable 5-3 win.

Ratings are as follows:-

Stanway

Safe handling throughout. Couldn’t do much with the goals, made some brave saves second half.
8/10.

Clarke

Another sound performance from a player who never lets his team mates down.
8/10

Jones (K)

Good in the air, caught napping again for their 3rd, always supplying the forwards from deep.
7/10

Harris

More like it from the talented defender, solid performance and looked more than comfortable on the ball.
8/10

Askey

Read the game well, never looked under pressure, controlled the game from the back.
8/10

Ford

Dropped back into midfield but it didn’t stop him causing problems all game. Scored one set up two and was unlucky to have another disallowed.
9/10

Bagnall

Always looking for a forward pass, strong in the tackle, lead by example.
8/10

Baggerley

First start and settled in well, good partnership in the centre of midfield, tired second half.
7/10

Craig

Powerhouse performance from the human dynamo, final ball could be improved.
8/10

Jones (L)

Scored one and could have had more, needs to improve his off the ball game.
7/10

Maskery

Scored 2 crackers, could have had 6, and was involved in most of the best bits.
9/10

Cobby

Replaced Jones for the last 20, never gave the winger a sniff.
7/10

Tudor

Replaced Badderley on 75 mins, it’s good to see the elusive defender briefly.
7/10

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