The Smithfield FC

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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Blurton have got the most random results I have ever seen this season:

• V’s John Marston Away -  5-4 Win
• V’s Brittania @ Home – 2-2 Draw
• V’s Thistleberry Away – 4-0 Win
• V’s Draycott Potters Away – 3-4 Lost *
• V’s Brittania @ Home – 3-4 Lost *
• V’s Duke of York @  Home – 4-3 Win
• V’s Village Town Away – 4-3 Win *
• V’s The Place @ Home – 5-3 Win
• V’s Auto Direct Away- 4-2 Win
• V’s Angel Inn Away – 2-2 Draw

* Indicates cup fixture

This looks to be a tricky fixture for the Smithfield as Blurton Club have cleary got goals in them scoring an impressive 34 goals in 10 games. This is similar to the Smithfields record who themselves scored 30 goals in 8 games.

Both sides have got suspect defensive records with the Smithfield conceding 26 goals in 8 games and Blurton conceding 27 goals out of their 10. 

The big difference between these sides is the difference in opposition. The Smithfield comfortably beat the Duke of York ealier in the season and should have beat them by a bigger margin, whereas Blurton just sneaked a victory in a 4-3 thriller.

The Smithfield are also on excellent form not losing over 90 minutes in 4 games and getting the 2 best results of the season within these fixtures. Although the defensive record is not good on paper, the Smithfield seem to be settling down defensively with the central partnership of Tudor and Harris becoming pivotal in the side. The full backs have been producing much better performances recently and the implementation of a holding midfielder seems to be giving the Smithfield a defensive edge.

This mixed with the goal scoring ability the Smithfield with Ford, Jones, Askey, Maskery, Smith, Bagnall and Craig all netting goals for the side, it is no wonder the Smithfield are on favourites with BET365 offering 4/11 for the win. Jones will be missed after netting himself 7 goals so far but has been placed as doubtful due to injury.

Currently 2nd in the Premier League the Smithfield will be hoping to continue their cup run and pick up a win this weekend.

This pundits prediction: Blurton Club 2 v 4 The Smithfield.

Lets see more predictions:

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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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