http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/ Where the Firestarters have their say en Thu, 09 Sep 2010 21:02:18 +0000 http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/topic/117#post-739 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:05:16 +0000 maskdogg 739@http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/ yes stanners http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/topic/117#post-738 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:35:51 +0000 Stanners 738@http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/ Is this McLean fella Conk? http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/topic/117#post-735 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:26:27 +0000 Interceptor 735@http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/ <p>Clark Kent Quote:</p><blockquote><br /> Heads clearly dropped and it was no surprise when Smithfield conceded a third, four minutes later. Another long ball over the defence caused Matt Roberts to chase back and lunge for the ball.<br /> [/u]</blockquote><br /> <br /> cracking report mate just not sure on the pen.. not saying who did or didn't give the pen away, but i didn't make a tackle of any description. http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/topic/117#post-729 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:43:36 +0000 Clark Kent 729@http://thesmithfieldfc.co.uk/forum/ Rain, wind, mud, a suspect referee and poor play overall contributed to Smithfield crashing out of the Project Management Cup at the opening stage following a 5-1 thrashing by Beverley FC. Technical Director Tony Craig retained the successful 4-4-2 whilst making one tactical change with Ben Clark coming in for the unlucky Niall Fordham. When quizzed on this decision Technical Director Tony Craig commented “It’s a difficult pitch that will not suit Niall’s game for 90 minutes. He’s more of a flair player rather than a get stuck in kahoona style bruiser. It’s tough on Niall after a superb display last week but that’s football. A major plus point is a full substitutes bench which will enable me to change things if necessary and rest assured, Niall will get on today at some point.”<br /> <br /> This keen eyed reported also spotted a new signing on the bench in the form of James McLean. This nippy midfield player should make a great addition to the Smithfield squad and improve competition for places. Technical Director Tony Craig said “I’m delighted to have secured the services of James on a long term deal. He’s the kind of player we are looking for who will increase our strength in depth and provide a welcome bit of competition to a stale looking starting XI”<br /> <br /> <br /> The game started well for Smithfield with Damien Askey marshalling an active back line who employed the offside trap to easily catch out a keen Beverley forward partnership. Few chances were created by either team for the first 20 minutes as both midfields battled on a heavy pitch to establish their dominance. An early chance fell to last weeks man of the match Matt Maskery who picked up where he left off and shot over the bar from 6 yards following excellent work by Paul Seymour. With the rain worsening and the pitch quickly turning into a boggy mass, it became evident that the drier wing areas would be key to winning the match which Smithfield duly began to exploit on 32 minutes. A nice ball from defence to the right wing found Matty Craig who cut inside to unleash a 20 yard drive that their keeper did well to parry and collect at the second attempt under pressure from top scorer Rob Evans.<br /> <br /> On 35 minutes the referee began to exert his influence on the game. In missing a clear two handed push on Seymour in the area he not only denied Smithfield a chance to take the lead from the spot, but allowed the goalkeeper to collect the ball and quickly restart play. The resulting long kick was lost in flight by the commanding Askey who allowed the ball to bounce and Beverley’s No. 8 ran on to chip the onrushing Ian Stanway from fully 30 yards and give them a 1 – 0 lead. A vain appeal for offside was quickly ruled out by Smithfield’s own Director of Football Tom Plant who in running the line saw that the attacker had started his run from his own half and was therefore not offside.<br /> <br /> This hammer blow appeared to knock the wind and football out of Smithfield who were happy to play a long ball game with left back Matt Roberts particularly providing the most dangerous attacking options with his booming left foot cross field balls. Despite this change few chances were created for either side as the defences lapped up and dispersed any pressure with ease.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em>Half Time Score</em><br /> <br /> Beverley 1 – 0 Smithfield Firestarters<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> A disjointed half time team talk followed with many players offering their thoughts whilst appearing to talk over and ignore Technical Director Tony Craig. In this reporters opinion this is not the way for players to conduct themselves when and they should be listening to the advice and instructions given. <br /> <br /> The second half started in the same fashion that the first ended with long balls being drilled over midfield for forwards to chase. It soon became evident that Beverley were adapting to the conditions and style of play better than their opponents and this was proven on 52 minutes when a long ball over the top caught centre half Tony Bagnall flat footed and the resulting sliding tackle was harshly ruled a foul on the edge of the area despite him clearly winning the ball. The resulting free kick was driven underneath an inexcusably jumping wall and deflected in off Askey on the line to put Beverley 2-0 up.<br /> <br /> Heads clearly dropped and it was no surprise when Smithfield conceded a third, four minutes later. Another long ball over the defence caused Matt Roberts to chase back and lunge for the ball. Despite appearing to win the ball clearly and concede a corner, the referee gave a penalty despite being 45 yards away which was tucked away in the bottom left corner despite keeper Stanway getting a strong hand to it.<br /> <br /> Smithfield’s own long ball game came to fruition on 64 minutes when Seymour chased a lost cause into the left hand corner, flicked the ball up ready to volley into the area but only succeeded in inviting the defender close enough for it to strike him on the hand to give the referee no option but to give a penalty. A muddy penalty spot for his standing foot forced Seymour to hand over penalty taking duties to regular understudy Kevin Jones who calmly placed the ball to the keepers right side to give Smithfield a lifeline.<br /> <br /> With Smithfield chasing the game at 3-1 down, Technical Director Tony Craig brought on James McLean and Niall Fordham for Dean Hickin and Matt Maskery whilst reverting to a 3-4-3 formation to provide more attacking options. It was a bold move that looked like paying dividends as several corners were forced in quick succession but with little success as the Beverley goalkeeper dealt with them easily. A defensive lapse on 75 minutes killed the game as a competition as Ben Clark recklessly gave away possession whilst trying to pass the ball across the back three to Bagnall. This allowed the Beverley No. 10 to race through and finish a tough 1 on 1 chance that was made difficult by Stanway. This error was swiftly punished as Shaun James came on for Clark to slot into the back 3.<br /> <br /> With caution to the wind Smithfield continued attacking in the only way they know how and went close to getting a second thanks to fine efforts from Evans, McLean and a dipping 35 yard effort from Bagnall that crashed against the bar. However, with only 3 at the back Beverley punished a high defensive line as a break down the right hand side against a tiring Roberts allowed a cross to be cut back and driven clinically first time into the bottom left hand corner past the despairing dive of Stanway for a 5-1 lead.<br /> <br /> The referee blew the final whistle soon after and Smithfield trudged off the field a defeated team with their confidence shattered. A lesson in finishing and in game adaptation was given by Beverley and must be taken on board if they are to achieve promotion and success in the Premier Division.<br /> <br /> <em>Full Time Score</em><br /> <br /> Beverley 5 – 1 Smithfield Firestarters<br /> <br /> <br /> <em>Man of the Match</em><br /> <br /> Tony Bagnall – He conceded the free kick for Beverley’s second goal but despite this was strong in the tackle, defended and held the line well and was a constant threat to the opposition on the occasions he drifted into the their half<br /> <br /> <em>Donkey of the Day</em><br /> <br /> Ben Clarke – The pass that changed a match. Weak kick allowed the opposition to put the game out of Smithfield’s reach when pushing for a way back into the game. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Post Match Thoughts:<br /> <br /> Will Technical Director Tony Craig drop underperforming players?<br /> Will James McLean turn up again?<br /> Can keeper Stanway keep a clean sheet?<br /> Will Shaun James start against his old club?<br /> Just where are Maskery’s shooting boots?<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 /> [/u]