A crisp morning and difficult pitch allowed Smithfield to put the brakes on Lambourne FCs charge up the City Traders Division 1 table as they surrendered their unbeaten start to table topping Smithfield.
Technical Director Tony Craig retained the 3-4-2 formation that had served so well the week before against Seabridge with the only change coming moments before kick off with Niall Fordham bravely declaring himself unfit allowing James McLean to make his first start of the season. As such Smithfield lined up as follows
I Stanway
Clark Bagnall Roberts
Craig McLean - Askey Maskery Jones
Seymour Evans
Subs Hickin, Fordham, M Stanway
With the pitch here at Smithfield Arena still feeling the effects of the previous weeks game against Seabridge, it was vital for either team to win the toss and take advantage of the better conditions at the lower end of the pitch. Smithfield duly won their 13th coin toss of the season and pounced on the opportunity to make Lambourne play into the mud for the first half.
The game opened up tentatively as both teams sounded out each other and their respective tactics with very little given away and few chances created. The game exploded into life on 23 minutes when a poor clearance on the right hand side from centre half Ben Clark allowed Lambournes No. 10 to race clear and slide the ball past the oncoming keeper Ian Stanway to put Lambourne 1-0 up. This woke Smithfield up and they began to make most of the running for the remainder of the first half and came close to equalizing through Damien Askey, Rob Evans and Matt Maskery.
With Smithfield on top and dominating it became clear that the Lambourne tactics were to entice Smithfield out and hit them on the counter attack hoping to break the offside trap. A tactic that may have extended their lead were it not for the excellent Stanway closing down the oncoming forwards in his newly adopted role as a Keeper-Sweeper. Smithfields relentless attacking presence reaped its reward on 38 minutes as they scored a well deserved equalizer. A corner from the right by Kevin Jones was not fully cleared and the ball fell to Maskery 18 yards out who hit a low drive through the still crowded box which somehow found its way into the bottom left hand corner.
Half Time Score
Smithfield Firestarters 1 1 Lambourne
Technical Director Tony Craig and Director of Football Tom Plant galvanised the players with an important team talk which focused on the need to concentrate, hold the excellent defensive line and play simple football. A factor made more important with Smithfield attacking the muddiest end of the pitch whilst defending the better end.
The half opened with the teams again sounding each other out and the opposing midfields battling to come out on top. The occasional break for either team was quickly nullified by their respective goalkeepers which lead to the first controversial incident on 57 minutes. A through ball from McLean released Smithfield Captain Paul Seymour who broke through the offside trap only to be fouled by the goalkeeper just inside the area. With Smithfield expecting a penalty, Jones placed the ball on the spot only for the referee to notice a late offside flag raised by the Lambourne linesman Mr A Cheater from Blurton. The referee upheld the offside decision and gave a free kick to Lambourne whilst allowing their keeper to stay on the pitch who would surely have been sent off otherwise.
Smithfield put this disappointment behind them and took the lead on 63 minutes as another quick break and slide rule pass from winger Matty Craig allowed Maskery to double his total with a sweet left foot drive into the top left hand corner. As Lambourne pressed for an equalizer they became more reliant on beating the Smithfield offside trap and were caught numerous times. One the one occasion they broke through on 80 minutes a long range shot was easily parried by keeper Stanways nose.
With the game fizzling out into a solid victory for Smithfield, the game provided its final twist on 89 minutes as Lambourne hit an optimistic long ball over the static Smithfield defence which allowed their No. 10 to race towards goal, round Stanway and put the ball in the net for an apparent equalizer. As most of the Lambourne players were celebrating the referee called play back to just inside the half way line as Smithfield linesman and Technical Director Tony Craig spotted a close offside decision. Despite venomous protests from the Lambourne players who surrounded Technical Director Tony Craig the decision stood and the goal was wiped from the record books for ever which allowed Smithfield to close out the game for a brilliant win The Referee consults honest linesman Tony Craig for advice
Final Score
Smithfield Firestarters 2 1 Lambourne
Smithfield Echo Man of the Match
Ian Stanway A superb display as Keeper-Sweeper . He commanded the back line and anything in the 18 yard box and was quick to launch counter attacks. Was unlucky to concede following a team mates error
Team-man of the Day
This award goes to young midfielder Niall Fordham for the second game running. Made an important call moments before kick off in deciding he was not fully fit and allowed the Smithfield Management to switch the starting XI.
Donkey of the Day
Rob Evans Despite being full of running was not up to his usual standards and must be wondering what he must do to get that elusive 20th goal of the season.
Unsung Hero
Matt Maskery Two goals today but is really the icing on the cake for a brilliant and spirited team performance. Glad to have the bragging rights around Blurton
Post Match Thoughts:
Will Technical Director Tony Craig keep a winning side?
Can Niall Fordham regain his fitness and starting place?
Will keeper Stanway keep a clean sheet ever again?
Can Clark cut out his defensive lapses which have cost the team 2 goals in recent weeks?
Can anyone stop Smithfield FC?
As ever your comments and discussion on the match are welcome.
Yours in Sport
Clark Kent
In a new feature we have managed to scoop a few exclusive pictures of action from the game....
Bagnall Trudges off at half time
Cheating Lambourne Linesman
"Honest" Tony Craig
