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Match Report - Seabridge 20th January 2008

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    Clark Kent

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    Roving Reporter

    SMITHFIELD BRIDGE OVER MUDDY WATERS



    Stirling work from Head Groundsman Ben Clarke and his team meant that Smithfield Arena saw football on Sunday when professional teams did not. Clarke and his team were out early with the birds to make sure that the pitch was playable after record rainfall in the preceding 48 hours. It looked touch and go until 10.30 when the referee inspected all areas and was happy for the game to be played.

    Technical Director Tony Craig reverted to the previously successful 3-5-2 to take advantage of the better playing surface out on the wings. As a result of this Niall Fordham returned to the starting line up in the place of Dean Hickin as they lined up as this...

    I Stanway

    Clarke – Bagnall – Roberts

    Fordham – Craig – Askey – Maskery – Jones

    Seymour – Evans

    Subs – Hickin, James, McLean, M Stanway


    A nervous start followed for both teams at they tried to become accustomed to the difficult pitch however after the opening 15 minutes it became clear that Smithfield were adapting better and forced several neat saves out of the Seabridge keeper. Continual pressure from Smithfield resulted in several corners which were rewarded on 18 minutes when one was not cleared fully and fell to Matt Roberts who lashed the ball home from 15 yards to put Smithfield deservedly in the lead. This lead and Roberts’s goal tally for the season were doubled 5 minutes later when a surging run down the left by Kevin Jones created space for Roberts too under lap into and drive the ball into the top left corner from fully 30 yards

    Smithfield missed several more excellent chances to extend their lead, the best of which came on 29 minutes when a superb ball from holding midfielder Damien Askey found top scorer Rob Evans who raced through on goal but was denied as the Seabridge keeper saved neatly at his feet. Smithfield were made to pay for their woeful finishing on 37 minutes when a flighted cross from the Seabridge’s left winger bamboozled keeper Ian Stanway who lost its trajectory to allow a simple tap in from 2 yards for a Seabridge forward.


    Half Time Score

    Smithfield Firestarters 2 – 1 Seabridge


    The second half was a more even affair however the better chances fell to Smithfield. The decision to attack the muddiest end in the first half looked to be paying dividends as the Seabridge defence struggled to cope against a strong Smithfield attack on the better surface, whilst Seabridge were reduced to rapid counter attacking that frequently got held up in the mud.

    Despite this it was a case of Smithfield not scoring and putting the game to bed. Matt Maskery, Evans, Captain Paul Seymour and Matty Craig were all guilty of wasting gilt edged chances which prompted Technical Director Tony Craig to make changes. James McLean replaced the excellent Fordham to provide a more direct threat up front, Shaun James replaced Evans to provide steel in the midfield which allowed Askey to push up, and Hickin replaced Maskery to sit in front of the back three.

    The changes got an immediate reward when on 76 minutes a corner from Jones was drifted into the near post and was met with a bullet header into the very top right hand corner from towering centre half Tony Bagnall. After this point Smithfield shut up shop and closed the game out as comfortable winners


    Full Time Score

    Smithfield Firestarters 3 – 1 Seabridge




    In a change from recent weeks we have a few new match categories. See what you think and let us here at The Echo know of your comments, suggestions, etc


    Man of the Match

    Matt Roberts – A colossus at the back and deadly attacking. 2 shots 2 goals. His tackling and distribution were first class and always provided a safe option for his team in awful conditions


    Team-man of the Day

    Goes jointly to Ben Clarke, Matt Maskery, Kevin Jones and Tony Craig, who all put in a tremendous effort sweeping and mopping to get the game on. Rumours they like playing Mrs Mop at home in the bedroom remain unclear. However I can now confirm that rumours they have been offered a position on the Wembley ground staff for £2.51 a week are true, but they have decided to remain loyal to Smithfield.


    Donkey of the Day

    Rob Evans – Missed the 10.15 meeting time and was generally behind all day after this. Not up to his usual high standards and remains stranded on 19 goals.

    Unsung Hero

    Niall Fordham – Gets this as he put last week’s disappointment behind him and had an excellent game. He was a threat going forward and put in a lot of hard work closing down the opposition when not in possession.


    Post Match Thoughts:

    Will Technical Director Tony Craig keep a winning side?
    Is Matt Roberts the new Roberto Carlos?
    Will keeper Stanway keep a clean sheet again?
    Seriously now, where are Maskery’s shooting boots?
    Does the team benefit from a full subs bench?



    As ever your comments and discussion on the match are welcome.


    Yours in Sport

    Clark Kent
    Posted 2 years ago #
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    nigel

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    Retired

    good win players, lets get are heads on for the big game against lambourne,


    goal pegs in the bag gaffer
    Posted 2 years ago #
  3. psycho

    psycho

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    Right Wing

    well done nige!!

    Lets try not to lose these pegs players.

    Psycho }:-@

    [image]

    Posted 2 years ago #
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    Stanners

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    Retired

    Are they going to be gun-grade quality pegs?
    Posted 2 years ago #

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