The Smithfield FC

Smithfield rue missed opportunities in the first half to collapse to a 5-0 defeat in the second.

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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A close fought battle for 76 minutes, but Grapes prove too good for the Smithfield who gown 2-0.

Stanway, Cobby, Tudor, Clarke, Askey

An outstanding defensive performance, praised by the opposition manager and admired by everyone who witnessed it. Kept the most potent forward line under control for 76 minutes.
10/10

Maskery

Never stopped running, battled brilliantly in the midfield against a team that completely outplayed us in the previous game.
9/10

Bagnall

Not well today but gave a real captains performance by playing through the pain barrier.
9/10

Ford

Full of running, full of enthusiasm, always available for a pass.
9/10

Craig

Never stopped running all game, kept the midfield pressed back, always willing to help out in defence.
9/10

Jones (L)

Gave everything he could, sadly the challenge was a bit too much for a player returning from injury.
8/10

Middleton

Helped out in our hour of need, weel out of his depth but at least he turned up.
7/10

Subs

None

AWOL

Harris– Now works for the church
Smith – Injured

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Out for revenge against Beverly after an 8-1 humiliation away from home at the beginning of the season, Smithfield were without Central Defender Chopper Harris and midfielder Rob Evans. Due to this a change around in positions of some key players tipped the game in Beverly’s favour, and they ran out 2-0 winners.

Stanway

Made some important saves in th first half hour, rarely troubled after that, couldn’t do much with either goal.
8/10

Clarke

Scored his first goal of the season, unfortunately it was past our keeper, handled his opponent well and mad a remarkable goal line clearance.
8/10

Ford

Slotted in at full back for about an hour and did well, pushed up last 30 minutes to help in attack, good energy levels.
7/10

Askey

Controlled the back line well, made good interceptions and always delivered the right ball forward, opponenets man of the match.
8/10

Tudor

Battled well in the heart of the defence, and became more comfortable as the game went on, always quick to get a tackle in.
8/10

Smith

game back after a knee injury, started cautiously but got better as the game went on, good to see him back.
7/10

Bagnall

Lead by example to take control of the midfield in the second half, ran himself into the ground.
8/10

Maskery

Fantastic work rate up and down the pitch, never let the opposition get control and gradually forced them back into their own half.
8/10

Craig

Struggled to make an impression in the first half hour, but put in a great last hour to pressure the defence from wide.
7/10

Jones (L)

Baffled doctors by playing a full game so soon after his operation and lasted the full 90 minutes oustanding effort.
9/10

Middleton

Thrown in at the deep end but kept a talented defence on their toes for a good hour.
7/10

Subs

Plant

Came on for last 20 minutes to add energy up front did well when he came on.
7/10

AWOL

Cobby- work
Evans – illness
Chopper – some poor excuse, no commitment
Baggaley – Playing for Britannia

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Smithfield are cheated of two penalties in a minute by the ref, and the opposition come down the other end to win 3-2.

It was a pleasure to watch you play on Sunday and now that we know we can do it, we need to get the consistency to perform to this level each week.

Come on you mighty Smithfield!

Stanway

Master of the one on ones today, looked unbeatable at times and handled with confidence throughout.
9/10

Clarke

Different player with protection in front of him, superb in the tackle and raided forward at will in the second half.
9/10

Harris

Held the back line together well, won possession and then played it simple to feet. Kept the pressure on the opposition back line from deep within his own half.
8/10

Tudor

Good to see the Kidsgrove Nomad back in the heart of defence. Looked assured all game and turned defence into attack with good distribution. Hardly put a foot wrong.
8/10

Cobby

Grew stronger as the game went on, gradually forced his winger back towards the halfway line, hardly ever gave the ball away.
9/10

Ford

Always available for a pass, great flick on for the first goal, got in some great positions and only the heavy pitch prevented him from scoring.
9/10

Maskery

Work rate tremendous in the engine room of the team, carried the ball well and always posed a threat in possession.
9/10

Askey

like to know the Opta stats on how many times he had the ball, seemed to be involved in everything. Great driving force ion the middle of the pitch.
9/10

Craig

Forced his opponent that far back he was virtually playing up front. Carried the ball well on the heavy pitch and finished a fine move superbly for the second goal.
9/10

Evans

They just couldn’t handle him today, scored his usual goal a game, was outrageously denied a second by the goalkeeper in the pivotal point of the game.
9/10

Bagnall

Played with an injury but you wouldn’t have known it held the ball up front well linked up play, had a hand in both goals and kept the 2 centre halves busy all game.
9/10

Subs

None

AWOL

Jones – Knee operation
Baggo – Chelsea
Latham – Ankle injury
Smith – Knee injury

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Take the 8-2 home loss in context with a scratch team out, an awful lot of bad luck, and good opposition, the performance of some players was exceptional and will prove that with a full team we will have nothing to fear from Signalman. We will have learned a hell of a lot more about them than they have about us and it’s up to the mighty Smithfield to use that to our advantage when we next meet.

Stanway

Had a busy day in goal, let in 8, will be disappointed with a couple of them, will be gutted with the penalty “save”. Opponents man of the match.
7/10

Clarke

Showed real commitment in an under pressure back line, was often outnumbered but never gave up. His tackle for the penalty was a classic.
7/10

Harris

Backs against the wall stuff from the gritty defender, under constant pressure during the second half but battled to the end.
7/10

Askey

Last but not least of the “3 Amigos” at the back (or should that be 3 “howmanygoals”). Really put in a good shift and tried his best to slow down play and keep possession. Scored from the spot.
7/10

Craig (M)

Never stopped running all game, battled well to create the 1^st goal and stood tall in the land of the giants that was midfield.
7/10

Maskery

Powerful display in midfield and everywhere else on the pitch, work rate was exceptional and he ran himself into the ground.
8/10

Evans

Good that he was back in these desperate times, battled well and scored his expected goal.
7/10

Craig (T)

A career threatening knee injury didn’t stop him from donning the famous red shirt, showed a cool head and his pass completion rate was up there with the best.
9/10

Ford

Showed that when the going gets tough it’s gonna get tougher when he’s got the ball. Needs to keep the ball more and give the defence a rest.
5/10

Ben Plant

Emergency signing, ran himself into the ground within an hour, was up against strong defenders, but hey he gave it his best shot.
10/10

Greg Woodcock

Signed on the day and showed enough to prove with a good side around him he can do a job. Played as the lone striker and managed to keep the defence on edge all game.
10/10

Subs

None

AWOL

Bagnall – Slight strain
Jones – Knee operation
Baggo – Who knows?
Latham – Ankle injury
Smith – Knee injury
Tudor – Yet another day trip (LEEDS)

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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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