Stanway

Had one save to make first half, dropped the ball for the crucial second goal in the second, not at his best today (but was ill if I do say so myself -Ian).
7/10

Clarke

Was at fault for the first goal, but battled well after that, linked up well with Craig down the right.
8/10

Cobby

Sound performance again from the left back, was felled by an atrocious tackle in the second half, but dusted himself down and carried on.
8/10

Harris

Strange for him to play on a Sunday since he’s discovered God. Took 15 minutes to settle back in but performed well after that.
8/10

Askey

Not a lot he could do about the first 2 goals, showed how easy it was when moved to midfield the last half hour.
8/10

Ford

Gave the ball away too cheaply at times, should have had at least one goal, never gave up when all seemed lost.
8/10

Maskery

Outstanding commitment in the middle of the park, could have had a goal, never let the opposition rest.
9/10

Smith

Struggled with the pace of the game first half, was more of a threat in the closing stages.
7/10

Craig

Managed to hit the post twice in the same move in the first half, needed to have the ball played simply in the second, made the runs, needs the ball.
7/10

Woodcock

Turned up after a late call, should have had 3 goals but was denied by an inspired keeper, passenger in the second half.
7/10

Jones

Should have had at least 2 goals, showed his lack of match fitness in the second half, still on the way to recovery.
7/10

Subs

None

AWOL

Tudor – Working in Germany
Bagnall – Trip to Bristol via Gothenburg

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Stanway

Clean sheet, distribution good and pulled off a self proclaimed “wonder save”. Good all round performance.
8/10

Clarke

Steady performance. Good in the air and strong in challenge. Helped with very pleasing defensive performance.
8/10

Harris

Strong performance from the centre half, strikers never had a sniff. Distribution good as well.
9/10

Tudor

Relationship with Chopper blooming, solid performance.
8/10

Cobby

Closed the wing down to release Ford to support attack. Never looked troubled all game.
8/10

Ford

Positioning and runs were excellent, scored, robbed of goal and assist through poor decisions from ref and linesman. Finishing should have been better, should have had at least a hat trick.
8/10

Maskery

Worked tirelessly throughout the game, distribution showed much improvement. Should have scored one-on-one.
8/10

Askey

Enjoying his midfield role, worked well defensively and distribution was excellent.
9/10

Craig

Worked hard all game, supported defence and attack equally. Some good runs with bal first half.
8/10

Evans

Didn’t give the centre half time at any stage in the game. Worked hard and tracked back when required. Robbed by ref for a legitimate goal.
8/10

Bagnall

Playing up front and held the ball up well. Seemed to suite the deeper (behind the forward role more) won everything in the air and created numberous chances. Scored an excellent goal by rounding the keeper.
8/10

Subs

Jones (L)

Came on last 10 minutes, held the ball up well to keep pressure off defence.
7/10

AWOL

Baggo – Who knows
Latham – Who knows
Craig (T) – Mid-season break

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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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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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• 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.

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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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This promises to be a massive season for the Firestarters.

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