http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/ Where the Firestarters have their say en Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:58:18 +0000 http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/topic/186#post-1206 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:41:37 +0000 Clark Kent 1206@http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/ Smithfield Firestarters v Globe - Match Report<br /> <br /> Smithfield Firestarters 7 - 3 Globe<br /> <br /> <strong>September 21st, 2008</strong><br /> <br /> Smithfield kicked off the new season with a match against The Globe (formerly Rising Sun) in the TB Williamson Cup 1st Round. The Fenton Stadium had undergone a facelift during the summer, with new corner posts and goal nets looking stunning in the morning sunshine (well when they were finally put up). A large crowd had turned out to watch the match against a team the Firestarters had failed to beat in the last four attempts.<br /> <br /> The game was nearly called off due to the referee being called up to officiate the Chelsea v Man United game later that afternoon, so someone had to step in to save the day. With no one else brave enough to face the challenge, Smithfield manager Tony Craig stepped forward, complete with a Christmas cracker whistle and laminated red and orange cards. This left co-manager Plant with the task to pick the team alone and he responded by selecting a 4-4-2 formation and gave new boys Harris and Ford (ha ha) their debuts. Fellow new signing Ryan was on the bench as Plant had a full-strength squad of 14 players to choose from.<br /> <br /> <strong>First Half</strong><br /> <br /> The match kicked off ten minutes late due to a technical difficulty with the nets, but the season had finally begun! The first five minutes were a nervy affair with both teams trying to work the other out, but it was Smithfield who had the first attempt on goal. However the visitors drew first blood in the 8th minute when poor marking from a throw in allowed a Globe midfielder to pick up a loose ball and curl an unstoppable shot into the right corner of Stanway’s goal. It wasn’t the start manager Plant wanted and the pressure was clearly getting to him already. Rumour has it that he was seen on his phone talking to his travel agent in an attempt to get on the first flight out of the country. Also unimpressed by the start their team had made, some of the crowd decided to entertain themselves by starting a game of swing ball.<br /> <br /> The Smithfield machine gradually started to respond and Evans went close with a header at the back post. Then on fifteen minutes Clarke curled a David Beckham like cross into the box that was met by Matt Maskery who side footed the ball into the net! Smithfield were level thanks to some Blurzillian magic!!<br /> <br /> In the 29th minute referee Craig made his first controversial decision as he awarded Smithfield a penalty. Rob Evans was brought down by the goalkeeper as the forward tried to go around him to score a certain goal. The Globe players and linesman claimed the contact occurred outside the box, but Craig immediately pointed to the spot despite still being in the other half of the pitch due to his aging legs. With the Globe players descending on him like a pack of wolves he signalled over to Plant to make it two tickets on the plane to Austria. What should have been a straight red card for the goalkeeper ended up being a warning as Craig, clearly under pressure, appeared to lose the plot.<br /> Despite missing a penalty in the pre-season Chesterton Charities tournament, ‘proven’ penalty taker Damien Askey stepped up and placed the ball on the spot. He coolly placed a low shot down the middle of the goal and the ball bounced off the back of the tight net, which was stronger than one of captain Joey Seymour’s brick walls. Askey had given Smithfield the lead and the crowd went wild!<br /> <br /> Now starting to dominate the game, Smithfield went further in front thanks to a goal from Andrew ‘Fordy’ Ford on his full debut. Seymour out-muscled a Globe defender which allowed a forward header from Matt Craig to send Ford clear, who then outpaced the defence and slotted the ball calmly between the goalkeepers legs. Ian Stanway made two good saves late in the half to give Smithfield a healthy 3-1 lead at the break.<br /> <br /> <strong>Second Half</strong><br /> <br /> The Globe kicked off the second half and showed their intent by immediately putting Smithfield under pressure. It wasn’t long before the home side cracked and the score became 3-2 in the 48th minute. A cross from the right came into the box and Stanway attempted to come out and collect the ball, but he had obviously eaten too many half time oranges and failed to get off the ground. The loose ball came off the post and Askey, running back towards his own goal, blasted a powerful header into his own net.<br /> <br /> However it wasn’t long before normal service was resumed as Seymour opened his account for the season with a brilliant solo goal. Collecting the ball in the middle of the pitch, he turned and curled a low shot from 25 yards past the motionless Globe goalkeeper. The Globe were clearly shaken by this immediate response and the match then turned ugly with a few bad tackles which resulted in several bookings. The usually cool Bagnall got involved in some handbags with an opposition forward and referee Craig showed both players an orange card.<br /> <br /> Smithfield then got back to business in the 55th minute as Evans burst down the left wing and avoided a strong challenge before delivering a ball across the box and Seymour blasted home for a second time. 5-3! Smithfield somehow failed to extend their lead further on 60 minutes when a long free kick from Askey was flicked on by Seymour into Craig’s path. His right-footed shot was turned onto the post by the advancing goalkeeper and Maskery followed up but blasted his shot against the crossbar. A mad scramble followed and Ford failed to convert a low cross by Seymour. Such was the domination by Smithfield some of the bored defenders sneaked off to join in the Swing ball tournament, with Harris beating Bagnall in the final.<br /> <br /> Maskery scored his second goal of the game thanks to a brilliant run and cross from Seymour. The big lad picked up the ball in his own half and ran down the right wing before delivering a sublime cross over to the back post, where Maskery was waiting to nod home from 5 yards. Confidence was flowing throughout the team and three quick goals in nine minutes had put the game beyond the visitors. Stanway was also showing no ill effects from his earlier mistake as he made several key saves and the only thing flapping now was Dean Hickin’s right boot. After 68 minutes Plant made his first substitution, bringing on the lively winger Fordham to replace Matt Craig. The young Pete Doherty look-alike immediately made an impression by delivering two good balls into the opposition box.<br /> <br /> The Smithfield continued to run the opposition ragged and Evans was robbed of the goal he deserved due to a dodgy decision by the oppositions linesman. The Globe then scored against the run of play as they broke away and shot at keeper Stanway. ‘Safe hands’ was only able to parry the ball into the path of another Globe striker who tapped home to reduce the deficit to 6-3. Desperate to finish the game on a high, Plant made two more substitutions, bringing Ryan on for Evans and Mark Stanway on for Dean Hickin. The fresh blood immediately injected fresh impetus into the home side and on 79 minutes any hope of a Globe fight back was distinguished. Good work by Maskery saw a loose ball fall to Ford who capped off a brilliant debut by scoring his second goal.<br /> <br /> Four minutes later Ryan was harshly adjudged to be offside as he broke clear of the defence and finished superbly, leaving the keeper with no chance. However the score remained at 7-3, a stunning result against a good side and the Firestarters are in the hat for the second round draw. All the pre-season training appears to have paid off as Smithfield looked quicker and sharper than their Premier League opponents. The new players have settled in well with last seasons team and with Tom Plant putting his newly booked tickets to Austria to good use by going on a scouting trip, the Smithfield squad could be getting even stronger in future weeks.<br /> <br /> <strong>Man of the Match: Paul Seymour<br /> <br /> Donkey: Damien Askey</strong> http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/topic/142#post-935 Fri, 15 Feb 2008 01:14:38 +0000 the gaffer 935@http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/ Well done Kent a remarkable report and factually perfect.<br /> Don't know what the keeper is on about I for one never saw a brave save throughout the game. It's alleged that he got a serious bruise on his arm but this was quickly dispelled when in the showers after training on Thursday when the so called bruise washed off.<br /> <br /> A trio of unsung hero's, ok poetic license i suppose.<br /> <br /> Lambourne left the field a broken side physically second best. Tactically second best and lacking the skill of a dominant opposition. Our work is done. <br /> Well done the Fantastic fourteen. http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/topic/139#post-934 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:46:57 +0000 bendogg121uk 934@http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/ you mental randolf http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/topic/142#post-933 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:43:45 +0000 bendogg121uk 933@http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/ thats it clarke kent u havent got an E in your clark BUT I HAVE YOUR A DEAD MAN WALKIN OR FLYIN WOT EVER U DO<br /> <br /> here u go clarke <br /> <br /> benderjiniho,erminator <br /> <br /> i'll be back http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/topic/141#post-932 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:34:48 +0000 bendogg121uk 932@http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/ one thing i gotta say , the last person not to put a E in ma name got a mashed up face so just becarefull<br /> <br /> benderjiniho,erminator <br /> <br /> i'll be back http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/topic/142#post-930 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:55:19 +0000 maskdogg 930@http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/ [yo cyrix its noot all about u mr kent only remembers the important people an u must not b 1 who cares wot was missed most the report was correct well dont mr kent i heart uu xxxxx http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/topic/142#post-929 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:47:57 +0000 Cyrix 929@http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/ Another brilliant report from Mr Kent! There are a few factual mistakes which I will post later, but it's great.<br /> <br /> Where's the mention of the last-second save from the Sweeper-Keeper? Damo shouted to me to come for it (I heard the panic in his voice) and I bravely dived at the feet of an opponent, getting a horrible black bruise for my troubles. I will show you tonight.<br /> <br /> ~Sweeper-Keeper http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/topic/142#post-928 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:04:10 +0000 Clark Kent 928@http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/ <strong>LAMBOURNE CRASH TO SUCCESSIVE DEFEATS TO MIGHTY SMITHFIELD</strong><br /> <br /> A morning of confusion, late and missing players did little to upset the Smithfield promotion Juggernaut as they convincingly beat Lambourne for the second time in two weeks.<br /> <br /> Technical Director Tony Craig reverted to a 3-4-2 formation with Damien Askey given a free role to influence the game as required. A fully fit squad also allowed the luxury of an unchanged team which lined up as follows…<br /> <br /> I Stanway<br /> <br /> Clark – Bagnall – Roberts<br /> <br /> Craig –McLean - Askey – Maskery – Jones<br /> <br /> Seymour – Evans<br /> <br /> Subs – Hickin, Fordham, M Stanway<br /> <br /> Lambournes rent-a-pitch at Blurton High School was a little heavy underfoot and did little to inspire with large bald patches in the goals and many foreign objects littering the playing areas. Despite this the game started very nervously as both teams were keen to sound out each other in a similar manner to the recent game at Smithfield Arena. Lambourne were keen to break from deep and Smithfield were happy to soak up this pressure and disrupted the attacks quite efficiently through sterling work from the back 3 and “Sweeper-Keeper” Ian Stanway. This defensive effort and the determination not to concede were displayed in two fine examples in the art of defending. On 18 minutes Tony Bagnall rose to athletically volley a ball away and caught a Lambourne attacker with a trailing lace which resulted in him leaving the field for a Mr Men plaster on a small graze above his left eye. Just 5 minutes later the defensive rock that is Matt Roberts put the ball out for a throw in to Lambourne on the edge of his own area but in doing so committed common assault against an unknown attacker which would have resulted in a prison sentence or ASBO had it occurred on CCTV. <br /> <br /> This aggressive approach to the game and defending in particular soon resulted in the sting being taken out of the Lambourne attack and reduced them to long range and frustrating efforts. These efforts were not helped on 25 minutes when Lambournes No.7 dislocated his own shoulder in a bizzare and apparent repeat of the injury two weeks previous.<br /> <br /> As the game progressed it was evident that Smithfield’s free role player Damien Askey was pulling the strings both in attack and defence. Key, raking passes to Kevin Jones and Matty Craig on the left and right wings respectively allowed Smithfield to exert continual pressure on the Lambourne goal with little to show for it in the shots column as strikers Rob Evans headed wide from 5 yards and Paul Seymour appeared to be having an off day.<br /> <br /> <em>Half Time Score</em><br /> <br /> Lambourne 0 – 0 Smithfield Firestarters<br /> <br /> <br /> Technical Director Tony Craig and Director of Football Tom Plant held an important team talk at half time and praised the team effort so far but demanded a step up in gears in order to punish a lacklustre opposition. <br /> <br /> With an inspired spirit and work ethic, Smithfield came racing out of the blocks once the second half commenced. Good creative play, again from the wings allowed Smithfield to pick up their first corner of the game which created an excellent chance for Bagnall who headed over from 10 yards. As Smithfield picked up their dominance the frustration on the faces of the Lambourne players became more evident and the game ceased to flow as a high number of rash challenges and a couple of bookings meant the game stopped and started on a more frequent basis.<br /> <br /> Not to be denied though Smithfield duly took the lead on 66 thanks to midfield dynamo Matt Maskery as a defensive header from Bagnall fell to Evans who caught the Lambourne defence flat footed with an excellent slide rule pass which allowed Maskery to run through and hit a superb drive from fully twenty five yards past the despairing dive of the Lambourne keeper. It was clear how much this meant to the Smithfield team as they mobbed the rejoicing Maskery in the centre circle. A shell shocked Lambourne redoubled their efforts in attack and looked to be on the verge of notching an equalizer as they forced 3 quick corners in succession, however, strong defensive duties and an excellent punched clearance from Stanway soon resulted in open play.<br /> <br /> It was from this punch that Smithfield nearly extended their lead as the ball broke to Jones who released Evans on a solo run to goal and his long range drive cruelly hit the post and rebounded to safety with the Lambourne keeper stranded. It did not take too long however for Smithfield to double their advantage. On 73 minutes as a quick break down the Lambourne right and smart interplay between Jones and Roberts allowed the ball to be played smartly to Seymour who with a defender closing him down flicked the ball up with his left foot and hit a sublime lob over the keeper and into the top right hand corner from the edge of the 18 yard box. A beautiful goal that had quality written all over it and was clearly too good for Lambourne’s keeper, who could only say “oh sh*t” as the ball sailed over him.<br /> <br /> With a commanding 2-0 lead and only 15 minutes to play, Smithfield adopted a more measured approach to their play and were content to play the long ball game into the corners and allow the strikers to hold the ball up as best they could. A tactic that was paying dividends and succeeding in riling the opposition, both on the pitch and their management on the sidelines. Lambournes frustration boiled over on 88 minutes when their linesman decided to chase winger Craig who was letting the ball run out for a throw in near to their corner flag.<br /> <br /> As seconds remained Lambourne threw caution to the wind and changed to a 1-4-5 formation and pinched a goal with a bit of sublime skill. An attack on the right wing allowed their No. 9 to cut in and retain possession before jinking past Roberts to slot the ball into the net. As Smithfield kicked off the referee immediately blew the full time whistle to bring a tactical masterclass to a close and record Smithfield FC as victors.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em>Final Score</em><br /> <br /> Lambourne 1 - 2 Smithfield Firestarters <br /> <br /> <br /> <em>Smithfield Echo Man of the Match</em><br /> <br /> Damien Askey – Easily his best display this season and showed why Management have high hopes for him in his free role position. He was commanding at the back, vocal to team mates and quick to start attacks with his keen eye for a pass<br /> <br /> <br /> <em>Team-man of the Day</em><br /> <br /> Matt Maskery – Can he play Lambourne every week? It seems to bring the best out of him and 3 goals against them in 2 games is testament to his hard work and commitment. Unluckily pipped by Askey to MOTM<br /> <br /> <br /> <em>Donkey of the Day</em><br /> <br /> James McLean – On an excellent team performance was desperately unlucky to pick up this award. Despite his workrate was let down a little by his passing and lack of vision <br /> <br /> <br /> <em>Unsung Hero</em><br /> <br /> A trio pick up this award with it going to the substitutes. Hickin, Fordham and M Stanway must surely be frustrated at not coming on for the second game in a row but did not let this get in the way of supporting their team mates for the full 90 minutes<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Post Match Thoughts:<br /> <br /> Will Technical Director Tony Craig make changes to a winning side?<br /> Will Evans play himself back into form?<br /> Will keeper Stanway keep his lucky top on loan from Seymour?<br /> Will the subs get a game ever again?<br /> Is it too early to think about promotion?<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> As ever your comments and discussion on the match are welcome.<br /> <br /> <br /> Yours in Sport<br /> <br /> Clark Kent<br /> <br /> <br /> In a continuation of our successful photographic feature we are proud to present the following &quot;GAME-ACTION&quot;<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Roberts defends like a tiger<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV1fslwS"><img src="http://www.postimage.org/aV1fslwS.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Maskery and Clark agonize over another blown chance<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1eOQJr"><img src="http://www.postimage.org/Pq1eOQJr.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Craig evades another angry Lambourne Linesman<br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV1ft8pJ"><img src="http://www.postimage.org/aV1ft8pJ.jpg" alt="" /></a> http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/topic/141#post-920 Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:56:15 +0000 maskdogg 920@http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/ cracking report mr kent i enjoyed it great keep up the good work oh yeah tell ur m8 stanners happ valentines i love him http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/topic/141#post-914 Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:57:11 +0000 Cyrix 914@http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/ Good report there Kenty :D. No mention of the best save of the match when Matty Craig took a swing and a miss for a ball coming across the box and our Keeper-Sweeper making a great bottom left-hand corner save from a ball that he saw late coming round the legs of a panicked Matt Craig.<br /> <br /> Oh well. And their offside goal was crossed in front of the Keeper-Sweeper and bundled over the line - not taken around him! &lt;img src=&quot;http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/my-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_wink.gif&quot; title=&quot;;-)&quot; class=&quot;bb_smilies&quot; /&gt; <br /> <br /> Again, great result boys - <strong>well done!!!!</strong><br /> <br /> ~Keeper-Sweeper