The Smithfield FC

Outclassed and outplayed, Smithfield concede 7 for no reply on a great pitch against Grapes.

Stanway

Seemed shaky at first then for a spell had to single handedly keep the opposition at bay, let in 7 goals though.
7/10

Clarke

Battled well when our backs were against the wall, found himself out numbered as full back pushed forward.
7/10

Harris

Under pressure for most of the game with 4 of the goals coming from his side of the pitch. Never let his head go down, was replaced on the hour.
7/10

Askey

Really couldn’t do much for any of the goals which is surprising when you let in 7, kept the back line out well.
7/10

Tudor

Felt sorry for the lad having given 3 goals away through his mistakes, on another day he’d have got away with it but Grapes were ruthless up front.
5/10

Smith

Struggled defensively, and needs to pick out his pass quicker when going forward. He has the pace and needs to use it more as a weapon.
6/10

Ford

Never really looked comfortable in the middle and dropped further back as the game went on. Needs to find his pass much quicker.
6/10

Bagnall

Should be more vocal to prevent players being seemingly unmarked and less critical when the inevitable happens because they are. Over run in the middle.
6/10

Craig

Struggled to cope with the full back pushing forward, tried to find a good pass but was often hit and miss.
6/10

Maskery

Ran himself into the ground and was often fighting a lone battle up front, work rate terrific, movement really good.
8/10

Jones

Never a threat, poor workrate and made it hard for his team with his lack of movement off the ball. Didn’t keep there defenders occupied.
5/10

Subs

Cobby

Came on in the second half and looked strong, gave us what we had been missing for an hour.
7/10

Latham

Caused problems in the last half hour, made some good runs but didn’t get the ball he deserved. Looked tired after 14 minutes though.
7/10

Lat

AWOL

Harris – Sickness
Baggo– Hamstring
Mark – ???
Matt G – ???

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It was a welcome return to football as the Mighty Firestarters travelled to Cobridge for the Premier cup tie against Grange Park Rangers. Smithfield had their chances and on balance should have won the game, but a last minute extra-time goal for Grange Park sealed the win and Smithfield crashed out of the cup.

This game will be remembered for the cowardly attack on skipper Tony Bagnall by the Grange Park forward, who punched Bagnall in the back of the head, unprovoked, when a handbags scuffle broke out after a Grange Park made a two-footed tackle on the skipper.

The game will also be remembered for Fordy’s Hand-of-God-Henry handball that took the game to extra time.

Stanway

Did well in difficult conditions and under a bombardment of long throws, was beaten by 3 one on ones, a penalty and a fluke free kick.
8/10

Clarke

Battled well and put their defence under pressure with good balls forward, ran himself into the ground, only one goal came from his side where he got caught out positionally.
8/10

Harris

Asked to play left back and did a sound job, good balls forward, strong tackling, played safe when needed and looked confident on the ball.
8/10

Askey

Outstanding game in the heart of the defence, tackled well, good distribution and dangerous free kicks.
9/10

Tudor

Another good game at the back, unlucky to concede the 3rd penalty in 2 games. Made some great interceptions and played the ball well from the back.
8/10

Ford

Scored a hand ball goal, but should have had at least 3 others, guilty of wasting the ball in extra time when players were free and in good positions.
7/10

Bagnall

Gradually gained control of the midfield and battled well until he had a little sleep in the 89th minute. Only player not to know he was sent off.
8/10

Baggeley

Scored and battled well in midfield, good passes and strong in the air, ran himself to a standstill and was replaced in the 71st minute.
8/10

Craig

Kept possession well and was involved in most of the goods moves down the right, kept the pressure on the fullback and could have scored in extra time to win the game.
8/10

Maskery

Good all round performance, scored a cracking goal, was always willing to chase down a lost cause. Always a threat up front.
8/10

Jones (L)

Scored a cracking goal, but should really have sown the game up in extra time, needs to work harder when he hasn’t got possession.
7/10

AWOL

Harris – Sickness
Cobby – Working
Mark – ???
Matt G – ???

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Smithfield “clubbed” to death 8-1 by an average Blurton side.

Stanway

Let in 8 goals, thwarted another 4 one on ones, was left badly exposed by his team.
7/10

Clarke

Struggled early on with a pacy winger, found his feet before half time, went walkabout late on.
6/10

Askey

Filling in as part of a makeshift left side, never really settled at the back, good distribution early on.
6/10

Tudor

Marked their star player, battled well first half, found himself last man (and sometimes only man) in defence second half. Gave away 2 debatable penalties.
6/10

Bagnall

Drafted in at centre half, not bad first half, gradually got further away from the back line second half.
6/10

Smith

Had acres of room in first half to go forward, needed to defend a bit deeper to protect the defence more.
6/10

Maskery

Scored a well taken goal, never really commanded the midfield and needed to pass shorter to keep possession.
6/10

Baggeley

Good in the air, battled well but gradually got overrun in midfield.
7/10

Craig

Good work rate, scored the opener, Nobbled their winger, couldn’t pass to his team mates second half.
6/10

Ford

f only he’d chose to pass the ball when there’s a player available in the last 20 yards. Work rate an example to the rest of his team mates.
7/10

Jones (L)

Credit to him for turning up and playing 70 minutes with his injury, sadly he needed to play it simple to make an impact.
6/10

AWOL

Harris – Sickness
Cobby – Work
Latham – Ankle injury
Goldstraw – Back injury

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Oh dear an absolute mauling at the hands of Beverly (8-1).

So what went wrong?
Was it the tactics? (tried and tested against better teams successfully)
Was it the attitude of the players?
Was it the commitment of the players?
Was it the pre-match instructions?(get closer to the player you are marking etc.)
Was it just one of those days?
Or is it those damn Aliens interfering again?

Whatever the reason we must learn from this game and quickly if we are to establish ourselves as a credible Premiership side.

Ratings are as follows:-

Stanway

Let in 8, had a tantrum at halftime,suggested that when he shouts “keepers ball” he doesn’t want team mates to leave it for him.
5/10

Clarke

Chased shadows first half, claims he had 3 players running at him first half, but never thought to sort out this problem until halftime.
5/10

Jones

Career threatening injury forced him off after 16 minutes, our thoughts are with him.
4/10

Harris

As a central defender was too often too far away from the rest of his back line. Tried in vain to get the backline up to the halfway line.
5/10

Askey

Got forced further and further back as his confidence drained away. Better second half.
5/10

Latham

A lot of enthusiasm, needs to channel it better, will have to learn to dominate his opposite number.
5/10

Maskery

Got lost in the midfield vacuum, needs to show more commitment when things are going badly, was too often in the different half of the pitch to the ball.
5/10

Bagnall

When the going gets tough you need the Captain to encourage and lead the fight from the front. Head went down after 3rd goal and never came back up. Needs to see the problems on the pitch and sort them out. There’s no excuse for players running around unmarked. This should be a basic fix.
4/10

Craig

Was like a magnet for the goal kicks, Needs to use his pace and ability to destroy average players who only look good because we play the high ball. Better second half.
5/10

Ford

Dismal performance as a front man, even worse when he came to help out his defence second half, obviously never heard of a “give and go” pass. Never gave the opposition a problem all game.
4/10

Jones

Took his goal well, sadly didn’t do much else, was too easily pushed off the ball, Never put any pressure on the defenders when they had the ball.
3/10

Cobby

Came on for Jones and looked shaky at first, much better when he picked up the pace of the game. The only honest performance on the team.
6/10

Goldstraw

Worst possible game to make his debut, but gave it a go when he came on.
6/10

AWOL

Baggo

Maybe we shouldn’t rely on a player who can’t be bothered to turn up. Manager’s patience beginning to wear thin.

Tudor

Hopefully back for good next week

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After a comfortable 5-3 win against Duke of York in the first round of the Cup, the team we will face next is Portobello Royal Oak on Sunday 18^th October.

They beat Bar NV 4-3 away from home. If my sources are correct Portobello play in the Wolverhampton & District Sunday Football League and after 2 matches they are rooted to the bottom of Division 2 with two away losses of 1-0 and 6-2.

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Well, the Smithfield started their European Cup adventure away at Duke of York with a comfortable 5-3 win.

Ratings are as follows:-

Stanway

Safe handling throughout. Couldn’t do much with the goals, made some brave saves second half.
8/10.

Clarke

Another sound performance from a player who never lets his team mates down.
8/10

Jones (K)

Good in the air, caught napping again for their 3rd, always supplying the forwards from deep.
7/10

Harris

More like it from the talented defender, solid performance and looked more than comfortable on the ball.
8/10

Askey

Read the game well, never looked under pressure, controlled the game from the back.
8/10

Ford

Dropped back into midfield but it didn’t stop him causing problems all game. Scored one set up two and was unlucky to have another disallowed.
9/10

Bagnall

Always looking for a forward pass, strong in the tackle, lead by example.
8/10

Baggerley

First start and settled in well, good partnership in the centre of midfield, tired second half.
7/10

Craig

Powerhouse performance from the human dynamo, final ball could be improved.
8/10

Jones (L)

Scored one and could have had more, needs to improve his off the ball game.
7/10

Maskery

Scored 2 crackers, could have had 6, and was involved in most of the best bits.
9/10

Cobby

Replaced Jones for the last 20, never gave the winger a sniff.
7/10

Tudor

Replaced Badderley on 75 mins, it’s good to see the elusive defender briefly.
7/10

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The Smithfield have drawn Duke of York in the TB Williamson Cup. We’ll be playing away on 20th September 2009. Let’s hope we can turn around that 4-2 devastating loss last season!

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