The day had finally arrived and an off-form Smithfield side turned up with anticipation of the game ahead. Grange Park Rangers, an unknown to the Smithfield players as it was the first time the teams would play. All that the Smithfield knew was that they were going to be in for a tough game as Grange Park Rangers are renowned for being one of the 2 best sides in the City and Traders Premier League. Grange Park had also a 100% record in the league before the game with 2 huge wins, 10-2 and 6-1.
Some of the Smithfield players looked at this game as a possible big defeat. Predictions of 8-0 and 5 goals in the first 12 minutes were sent around the players through Chinese Whispers.
It was not a great start for the Smithfield as Fordy turned up announcing he had forgot the corner flags, no sign of the Gaffer and Tom had to shoot off for a hard long 1 hour shift. It was announced that the Gaffer was spending the weekend with Basil Fawlty but had left clear, precise, in depth instructions – “Same team as last week”. Tom then drove off to waste more in petrol getting to work than he would actually earn.
The gaffer responsibility was given to club captain Tony Bagnall with assistant Damien Askey. These then made another appointment (by appointment I mean he appointed himself unofficially), Fordy to be director of football. Through a pre-game discussion it was decided to take a more defensive approach to the game.
The team were going to line up 4-5-1, Tony would play a new position, anchor man, 10 yards in front of the defence to support the defence lining up, Clarke, Tudor, Harris, Cobby. The wingers Craig and Ford were given instruction to play more of a wing-back role to again help to absorb the guaranteed pressure the Grange players would bring. Maskery would be the central figure in midfield with Askey playing being lone striker Jones. The were substitutes Baggeley, Latham and Golden Nugget.
The team had a small debate on what to do when they inevitably won the toss. Some wanting the advantage of the downhill wind and others sticking to the traditional up bank first half. Bagnall had a tough decision but made it on his approach to the centre circle. He tossed the coin and purposely caught it on the losing side and forced Grange to make the decision. Smithfield to shoot downhill.
The game kicked off and the Smithfield went about there defensive style and easily absorbed any early pressure. They were even creating the odd half change. These chances included an Askey 25 yard half volley which lacked a little power and a 20 yard Craig strike that managed to clear the trees. On 15 minutes, a long searching Harris free kick bounced over the defence and Ford was first to react and lifted the ball over the oncoming keeper but the ball went marginally wide. Again 5 minutes later Harris with another free-kick called out Fords name and the ball inevitably went in the opposite direction to Askey who cleverly flicked the ball over the defence to Ford who on the half volley smashed the ball over the keepers shoulder to put the Smithfield 1-0 up.
The players regrouped and went back to their game plan and the team defended well, the defence was looking impenetrable as Harris lead the line, he commanded and controlled the defence and it was clear that the team was growing in confidence. Stanway began making some good saves and commanded his 6 yard box catching anything in the air. Bagnall, Harris, Tudor, Clarke and Cobby winning every challenge on the floor and in the air.
With 30 minutes on the clock, Jones picked up a loose ball 25 yards from goal slightly on the right of goal, a good first touch took the ball away from the defender and created space for a shot. In a 1994 Tony Yeboah style, Jones hit the ball on the turn and like a rocket the ball screamed goal wards. The ball almost set alight as it travelled 22 yards on the rise, the crossbar did well to stand the pressure as it was hit on the underside and sent the ball into the back of the net. Smithfield FC 2 – Grange Park Rangers 0.
For the remaining 15 minutes of the half the Smithfield now began to play with confidence. They changed to a passing style and the midfield started to dominate possession. Quick passing moves between Maskery, Craig, Askey and Ford started creating more half chances but there was no change to the scoreline and the teams went into half time at 2-0.
The team discussed the game and came to one conclusion, this half was going to be tougher. The Smithfield were now going to be put under more pressure with the opposition kicking down hill with the wind.
The second half kicked off and almost immediately Harris found himself with another free kick in his own half. The master of deception again gave the “Ford” call and kicked the ball in an untraditional style making the ball bobble along the ground at pace towards Granges midfielders but Harris had a plan as the ball bobbled straight through one of the Granges players and found Askey. Askey turned on the ball and saw Jones making a diagonal run towards goal, the ball was passed directly into Jones path who composed himself and bent the ball around the keeper from the edge of the box. 3-0.
The next 40 minutes was a real test of character for the Smithfield as Grange committed men forward and started to dominate possession. The Smithfield had a lot of defending to do but the side got men behind the ball and dealt superbly with every attack. The Grange then showed their secret weapon, they had Rory Delaps brother and massive throw-ins were peppering the box. Stanway dominated his area though with a great display of brave goal keeping. The Smithfield were slowly running the minutes down and it looked like they might go all the way but on 70 minutes disaster struck. From a corner the ball managed to bobble through to an oncoming Grange striker who hit the ball miraculously through 10 bodies to the feet of the Smithfield skipper who was stood on the right hand post. Bagnall attempted to clear the ball but it unluckily span off his foot into the top corner of the Smithfield net. 3-1.
This gave the Grange a boost and they continued to attack and on 75 minutes a midfielder looked as though he was going to break into the box but Ford made the decision to take him out. He kicked the players leg and conceded a freekkick on the edge of the box. The Grange used their left footed free kick specialist to curl the ball goal bound but Stanway was there to intercept the bal; however, he was unable to hold on to it and it dropped into the net. 3-2.
Were the Smithfield going to throw the game away?
The Smithfield didn’t allow their heads to drop and again managed to defend superbly and with just less than 15 on the clock a long searching ball found Maskery unmarked and one on one with the keeper, he took a first time shot but scuffed the ball wide.
2 substitutions due to minor injuries were necessary, Latham for Clarke and Baggeley for Maskery. These joined the team and defended excellently.
With 5 minutes to go Grange Park Rangers committed even more men forward and this allowed the Smithfield to create chance after chance to kill the game off but the final ball was not good enough as players legs tired.
With 30 seconds to go, a low cross into the Smithfield box and found a Grange striker 7 yards out with a little space and as he shot the Smithfield players had their hearts in their mouths as the ball headed goal bound, could it happen for the second week on the bounce? NO, Stanway’s got himself down quickly and smothered the ball!
Then finally, the final whistle came and elation came over the Smithfield player, a brilliant performance all round paid off and gave the Smithfield 3 vital points.
Final Score – Smithfield 3 v Grange Park Rangers 2.
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