Smethwick were looking to get a result yesterday afternoon against Droitwich Spa at the Trevor Brown Memorial Ground in Division One. The hosts have struggled in the league so far and were bottom of the table coming into this match with 9 points from 17 matches. One of the positives is that their within reach of safety and were only five points off Wolverhampton SC in 17th coming into this one. The hosts have a crucial month ahead with six league matches throughout December to close the gap. Droitwich Spa have been one of the standout teams in MFL Division One this season. The Saltmen have impressed so far and were 3rd in the table coming into this match with 32 points from 15 matches. Their away form was also good with five wins from eight matches on the road. They were looking to respond to their last away match where they lost 3-1 to Coventry Copsewood. This match went ahead yesterday despite the challenging weather conditions. There was a notable number of away supporters who made the journey yesterday and braved the elements which was commendable. Starting Line ups Smethwick’s line up included Harold Edjangue starting in goal and Jake Allen captaining the team from midfield. The formation looked like a 5-3-2 with a front two of Jahmaal McIntosh-McMahon and R’marni Reid-Miller. They were supported by Tabari Maxwell in the attacking midfield role. There were three changes from the team that started against Allscott Heath a few weeks back with Tivon Henry coming into the team and playing in midfield. The starting line-up for Droitwich featured Joel Chadwick starting in goal and Connor Collins captaining the team up front. The formation appeared to be a 4-2-3-1 with Connor Collins being supported by Perry Moss and Luke Molloy on the wings. There were three changes from the team that started against Coventry Copsewood a few weeks back with Alex Dugmore coming back into the team and playing in central defence alongside Callum Green. First Half Droitwich started the match brightly and were looking to get an early goal in the opening half an hour. There were a few good chances for the visitors to take the lead. Perry Moss had the best chance where he cut in from the right and fired just wide from a good position. The main pattern of play throughout the first half involved the Saltmen having a lot of possession and building attacks. Smethwick were looking to play on the counter attack and break with pace. Both teams were well set up with Droitwich linking up well in the final third and Smethwick well organised defensively to make key clearances in the box. There was an unfortunate injury to Smethwick defender Jake Wilkes mid-way through the first half who was playing well at the back. He was substituted for Charlie Aston who filled in admirably at the back. Droitwich were mainly in control throughout the opening 45 minutes but just lacked that final ball in the box to take the lead. Smethwick made it a challenging match and were brilliant at heading balls away from danger to stay in it going into half time. The team were growing in confidence as the match went on and they competed well with a quality team to keep it at 0-0 at half time. Second Half The match came to life early in the second half with Droitwich taking the lead. Perry Moss made a brilliant run down the right and picked out Charlie Tilley in the box who finished well into the top left corner to make it 1-0 to the Saltmen. The goal reflected the visitor’s control of the match in the first half where they were on top for large periods. The goal was a crucial moment in the match as it tested Smethwick’s resiliency to get back into it in tough weather conditions. They responded to the setback excellently and showed a lot of character over the next half an hour to turn the match on its head. They got an unexpected equaliser a few minutes later which was finished brilliantly by Jahmaal McIntosh-McMahon who lobbed Joel Chadwick off his line to make it 1-1. Smethwick were growing in confidence, and they took the lead through a moment of genuine quality that caught Droitwich off guard. Jevani Robinson made an excellent run down the left on the counter attack and squared the ball to Jake Allen who finished well to make it 2-1. Smethwick were on top in the middle of the second half and their gameplan was working excellently. They looked organised at the back and were clinical on the counterattack. They managed to get a third goal through a defensive mix up at the back from Droitwich. A loose ball at the back was capitalised on by Tabari Maxwell who accelerated into the box before being brought down by Callum Green for a penalty. Dylan Green converted it well from the spot to make it 3-1 and effectively seal the three points for the hosts. Droitwich did have a few half chances to get back into it late in the second half. Substitute James Lemon made a good run in the box before firing wide from a good position and Charlie Tilley shot straight at Harold Edjangue in the box. Smethwick did well to contain the visitors and take the jeopardy out of the match in the final 15 minutes and it finished 3-1 at full time. Full Time This feels like a huge win for Smethwick Rangers and something to build on for the rest of the season in their aim to stay up. The manner of the win is the most pleasing thing with the hosts genuinely deserving the win and working hard throughout the afternoon to get it. They played excellently as a team to nullify the attacking threat of Droitwich in tough conditions. The defence really stood out in this match with the backline making constant clearances and headers to stop Droitwich attacks. Jake Lamb was excellent and read the game well at the back. He made a lot of key headers and blocks to get the ball away from danger. Charlie Aston and Youssef Elazhari also played well as part of a back three and they made some big clearances. Another strength of the team was the full backs who played well. Dylan Green provided an attacking outlet on the right when on the counterattack and Jevani Robinson was also dangerous on the left. Jahmaal-McIntosh McMahon was excellent up front and had an underrated game as the number nine. He built up the play well and used the ball well when given the opportunity. Despite the defeat, there was quality on show from Droitwich. The team showed plenty of effort, but it was not clicking in front of goal. There were also a few uncharacteristic mistakes at the back. It’s just a case of this not effecting future matches as the team are well in the hunt for a top three finish. Defeats can sometimes help the season get back on track and hopefully this will be the case for the Saltmen. On a positive, Alex Dugmore played well at the back and was reading the game well. He made some big interceptions and recovered the ball well for the visitors. Charlie Tilley looked threatening as the number ten and was linking up well in the final third. Perry Moss also looked dangerous out on the right and was positive on the ball. When looking at the season overall, it’s been brilliant from Droitwich so far who are in 3rd with 32 points from 16 matches. Yesterday was just one of those days but there’s still plenty of the season left to get back on track. FT score: Smethwick Rangers 3-1 Droitwich Spa Attendance: 35 Man of the match: Jake Lamb (Smethwick Rangers) Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League Ashby Ivanhoe V Tividale Ashby Ivanhoe have adapted well to step five football in the United Counties League. The Knights were promoted last season from MFL Division One and won the play off final against Droitwich Spa to reach the premier division north. Their currently 11th in the table with 16 points from 12 matches and have competed well against some quality teams. Their main strength has been at home with two losses from seven matches in the league. The Knights have made the NFU Sports Ground a bit of a fortress which has helped them in both the league and the FA Vase. This is the club’s first appearance in the third round of the FA Vase, and it’s been a brilliant run so far from the Leicestershire side. They beat North West Counties League Division One South leaders Brocton in the previous round 5-3 and have also beaten Belper United and Bilston Town to reach this stage. Their recent form in the league is a bit patchier with six points from their last six matches. However, when looking at the season in general it’s been brilliant so far. Sam Grouse is a player to watch who has 19 goals in all competitions this season. Tividale have benefited from an excellent run in the FA Vase this season. The club have struggled in the MFL Premier and are in 16th with 10 points from 13 matches. Hopefully the FA Vase run will aid them in their goal to stay up. Despite having a challenging season in the league, their run in the FA Vase should give the squad a bit of confidence for the rest of the season. They have beaten Shirebrook Town, Wisbech United and Shawbury United to reach this stage of the competition. It’s going to be a tough match tomorrow with Tividale’s away form being a problem with just one win from seven league matches. However, they beat Wisbech United away in the first round on penalties so their capable of causing an upset. Dominic Dell is a player to watch with 8 goals in all competitions. Biggleswade United V Whitchurch Alport Biggleswade have been good in the premier division of the Spartan South Midlands League and are challenging for the play offs. Their 6th in the table with 27 points from 16 matches and have three games in hand over FC Romania in 5th on 33 points. Their home form at the Verdant Stadium has been solid with just three losses from ten matches in the league. However, they have conceded more goals at home than on the road with 22 compared to 13. The Bedfordshire side have struggled in the league recently with six points from their last six league matches. They beat Real Bedford in the previous round in a thriller that was decided on penalties. It was a statement win from Biggleswade with Real Bedford top of the premier division of the Spartan South Midlands League with 43 points from 16 matches. Coree Wilson is a player to watch with 15 goals in all competitions. Whitchurch Alport have struggled in the MFL Premier this season and are in 15th with 12 points from 13 matches. The Shropshire side have been a mixed bag on the road with two wins from seven matches in the league. Despite having a challenging season, their run in the FA Vase should give the squad a bit of confidence for the rest of the campaign. The visitors have beaten a variety of quality teams from steps five and six to reach this stage. This includes beating Lutterworth Athletic, Worcester Raiders and Wednesfield. They will go into this match as underdogs but it’s a good opportunity to test themselves against quality opposition. Eastwood Community V Stourport Swifts Eastwood have been brilliant in the premier division north of the United Counties League and are challenging for the play offs. The Nottingham side are 4th in the table with 29 points from 14 matches and have two games in hand over play off rivals Skegness Town who are in 5th and a point behind them. Their form at Coronation Park has been a strength with four wins from five matches in the league. Eastwood’s recent form is impressive with 13 points from their last six matches and their on a five game unbeaten run in the league. Tyler Blake is a player to watch with 14 goals in all competitions. They beat Dudley Town in the previous round and beat Cogenhoe United and Southwell City to get to the third round. Stourport have been excellent in the MFL Premier and are challenging for the play offs. The Swifts are in 7th with 24 points from 14 matches and level on points with Darlaston Town in 5th who have a better goal difference. Their away record has been hit and miss with one loss from seven matches but drawing four of those. They got an excellent away win at AFC Wulfrunians in the previous round which should give Stourport supporters hope of causing an upset tomorrow. The visitors will go into this match as marginal underdogs but are capable of getting through to the fourth round. It’s been an excellent run so far with the standout result being the home win against Sherwood Colliery in the first round. Highgate United V Lichfield City Highgate have been excellent in the MFL Premier division and are challenging for the league. The Gate are in 3rd with 29 points from 13 matches and are challenging the likes of Congleton and Lichfield City at the top of the division. The Solihull side have got the best defence in the league with just 16 goals conceded. Their record at the Coppice has been brilliant with five wins from eight matches and just one loss. Ryan Harkin is a player to watch up front who has eight goals in all competitions this season. They beat Pinchbeck United in the previous round and avoided a potential upset with the Lincolnshire side leading at half time. Lichfield have also been brilliant in the MFL Premier division and are involved in a title race with Congleton. Their 2nd in the table with 32 points from 15 matches and got a crucial win against Uttoxeter Town last weekend to close the gap on Congleton at the top of the division. Their away record has been good with just one loss from seven matches and the character of the squad has been a key strength this season. In their last away match they scored a late equaliser against Stourport Swifts to get a point. The Staffordshire side have the second best defence in the division with 17 goals conceded. Dan Smith is a player to watch up front who has 19 goals in all competitions. The visitors have had an excellent run in the FA Vase and have beaten Newark and Sherwood United, Romulus, Alsager Town and Heather St John’s to reach the third round. With both defences playing well and looking solid at the back, this has the potential be a tight match tomorrow that could go the distance and be decided on penalties. Lincoln United V Congleton Town Lincoln have been excellent in the premier division north of the United Counties League and are challenging for the league title alongside Sherwood Colliery. Their currently in 2nd with 36 points from 14 matches and have a game in hand over Sherwood at the top of the table with 41 points. Their record at home has been outstanding with seven wins from seven matches and just two goals conceded at Ashby Avenue. They also have the best defence in the league with just seven goals conceded. Matt Cotton is a player to watch who has 17 goals in all competitions. Their recent form in the league has been incredible with six wins from six matches and no goals conceded in a competitive division. The Whites beat Heanor Town in the previous round and have also beaten Bugbrooke St Michaels and Newark Town to reach this stage of the FA Vase. Congleton have been brilliant in the MFL Premier since being transferred from the premier division of the North West Counties League over the summer. The Bears have grown into the season and are currently top of the table with 35 points from 16 matches. Their away record has been good with just three losses from nine matches and four wins. The Bears’ main strength has been at home so it could be a tough test for them tomorrow afternoon against an in-form side. The Chesire side have been excellent recently with 15 points from their last six matches. They beat Loughborough Students at home in the previous round to reach this stage. This is shaping up to be a brilliant match in the FA vase tomorrow and one of the standout ties from the third round. Preview feature written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League |
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