A trip to Gods country produced a heavenly footballing display by Smithfield as they convincingly brushed aside Duke of York 2 0. Technical Director Tony Craig was forced to abandon the recent 3-5-2 formation and revert back to a traditional 4-4-2 as a disappointing lack of personnel meant that injury plagued forward Mark Stanway, 64 year old Director of Football Tom Plant and Matt Roberts Dad, Kevin, were forced into emergency bench warming duty.
A confident and attacking start by Smithfield quickly established a rhythm that did not end until the final whistle as all players let their feet do the talking and the ball most of the work. Enjoying the biggest pitch in the league meant flying wingers Kevin Jones and Niall Fordham exploited their territory, dominate the full backs and provide an appetising service to the forwards. This was rewarded on 30 minutes when an attack on the left wing found the Herculean Joey Seymour 10 yards out who took time to draw several last ditch tackles and commit the goalkeeper before slotting into the bottom left hand corner to put Smithfield into the lead.
The lead was doubled then minutes later following excellent work in the midfield by Dean Hickin and Matt Maskery who broke up an attacking move by Duke of York and raked a 60 yard ball over a static defence for top scorer Rob Evans to run onto and smash into the top right hand corner for his 15th goal of the season.
Duke of York earned a lifeline on 43 minutes when a bizarre refereeing decision presented them with their best chance of the half. Goalkeeper Ian Stanway was harshly adjudged to have handled outside the area resulting in a free kick in a dangerous position on the right. An excellent defensive effort from the Smithfield defensive line ensured that the threat was nullified.
Half Time Score
Duke of York 0 2 Smithfield Firestarters
A pleasing and encouraging half time team talk was given by Technical Director Tony Craig to a team who played their best 45 minutes football of the season.
The second half was dominated by Smithfield who restricted Duke of York to half chances and the occasional 2 on 2 at the back. Smithfield lacked a cutting edge to extend their lead with Maskery guilty of missing several clear chances, the worst of which was looping a bullet header over the bar from 2 yards out following Joness only good corner of the day.
A the half wore on it was clear that the training put in by the Smithfield players over Christmas and New Year was paying off on an energy sapping pitch. Jones and Seymour combined several times on the left wing with neat interplay and several backheel nutmegs opening up superb attacking opportunities only to find the opposition goalkeeper in outstanding form. A breathtaking double save on 72 minutes was the highlight of his day which denied Maskery and Evans.
Such was Smithfields dominance that shots were coming in from all areas of the pitch with both full backs going close and centre half Tony Bagnall driving forward to unleash a rasping low drive that bounced 12 times before being collected by the goalkeeper. Further chances were few and far between with the best and last opportunity falling to Duke of York who could have made things interesting for the final few minutes bar Stanway making a fine 1 on 1 save.
Full Time Score
Duke of York 0 2 Smithfield Firestarters
Man of the Match
Matt Maskery Despite having an off day in front of goal I doubt any other player covered as much mileage and put in such effort. His pass to Evans for the second goal was a joy to behold and is a clear contender for pass of the season.
Donkey of the Day
With all players on their A game, winger Kevin Jones unluckily picked up the award for falling a little below his normal high standard with poor delivery of set pieces being his main downfall.
Post Match Thoughts:
What will Technical Director Tony Craigs next formation be?
Who can stop Evans and Seymour?
Can keeper Stanway make it 2 clean sheets in a row?
Does Cup glory beckon for Smithfield?
Where are Maskerys shooting boots?
As ever your comments and discussion on the match are welcome. I would also like to apologise for the late posting of this but I was busy saving the world from an evil none of you have ever or will ever see. Its hard work.
Yours in Sport
Clark Kent
The Smithfield FC Forum » Smithfield Echo
Match Report - Duke of York 6th January
(5 posts)-
Clark Kent
OfflineRoving ReporterPosted 2 years ago # -
Stanners
OfflineRetiredWhat match did you watch? You missed the blatend handball on the line from Kev's shot. You missed Joey's 35 yard piledriver that went just over?Posted 2 years ago # -
maskdogg
OfflineStrikerlol the pass was all mask no hicking involved haPosted 2 years ago # -
Damo
OfflineCentre BackPut the red cape and pants in your locker for good Kenty. You were born to write!
I would specifically mention the full backs were the main threat not the wingers, awesome display by Matt C and Matt R, plus RAF Tony and myself did some hard work in allowing them that freedom. Ian did weel to keep his concentration until the last minute too. Mask.... Shut up it was a fluke meant for Joey }:-)Posted 2 years ago # -
maskdogg
OfflineStrikerhaaha askey why u so sore im sorry me and ben didnt cum 4 the mcdonalds with u hahahah but that pass was awesome m8 from a striker aswell well n ex striker who use 2 score bk n the dayPosted 2 years ago #
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