It was a morning of messages for Paul Ryder from several of his players all saying they were unavailable for the Crusaders game. Smithswood would be without Harber, Treadwell, Morris, Hession, Wall, Marshall and Sayer meaning they would have only 11 players and manager Ryder would be the only sub.
Starting Line Up
Evans (Capt)
Glenn
Rooke
Wilkins
Thompson
Mayers
Short
Else
Harris
Thomas
Anderson
Subs
Ryder
Smithswood had the better of the opening 25 mins hitting the bar and having a few chances on goal, which bought some good saves out their keeper. Crusaders had a chance from a corner but Smithswood were the better team in the opening exchanges and they confirmed this when the went 1-0 up on 26 mins.
26 mins GOAL 1-0 Anderson was put through wide right and drove towards the keeper and getting a powerful shot off which was saved by the keeper but Smithswood’s Short was the first to react to the rebound. Short placed his shot in the corner, which was kept out by a spectacular save, unfortunately it was their defender making the save and not the keeper. The ref had no choice but to red card the player and award Smithswood a penalty. Short calmly stepped up to slot it home and give Smithswood
Fantasy Update Scorer Short, Assist Anderson
Red Card Crusaders
33 mins Else plays the ball wide to Mayers. He stands up against the defender drawing him in then skins him and drives a low cross to Anderson. The keeper gets their first ahead of Anderson to make a good save
36 mins Goal 2-0 Smithswood hit a long high cross in which the keeper thought was going out but Rooke didn’t give it up and kept it in. He fired it hard across the goal line and the defender put in his own net.
Fantasy Update Scorer Rooke
40 mins Else and Short work hard to win the ball back in midfield. Short takes them on and his shot goes for a corner. From the corner Wilkins rises above the defence to win the header, which is just wide from
44 mins Great move from Smithswood as Thompson plays the ball into Else who puts Short through. He lays it off to Anderson whose shot is saved by keeper. Great football from the Firs
45 mins Glenn takes a throw in to Rooke who whips a great low cross in catching the Crusaders defence flat footed. Else is only inches away with his lunge as he tries to tap it in.
Half Time Smithswood 2 Crusaders 0
46 mins Harris plays it in to Short who sets up Else whose long-range effort is saved by the keeper. Smithswood go after the third
57 mins A great Counter attacking move from Smithswood. Mayers plays it wide to Anderson who crosses it low to Short. Short tees up Thomas who fires high and wide. A great move, which would have been a quality goal
60 mins. Smithswood work the ball in between Rooke Thomson and Harris to Else who drives forward and hits a bullet shot which is just over the bar
71 mins. Crusaders win a free kick by touchline. Evans comes and punches clear with the ball going out for a throw at the half way line. Well played by Evans as he hasn’t had much to do in the second half
72 mins Glenn passes in to Thomas who shifts past one defender and shoots hard and low. The keeper saves and spills it nut no one from Smithswood is following in.
72 mins Goal 3-0 Smithswood’s attacking play finally gets the reward of the third goal. Short plays a great ball through to Harris who calmly lifts it over the keeper and in to the net
Fantasy Update Scorer Harris Assist Short
75 mins Smithswood pile on the pressure with Else shooting from outside the box then Harris feeding Mayers whose shot is held by the keeper. It is all Smithswood who are the only team who look like scoring. Even when they lose the ball they battle back with Mayers making up 10 yards to tackle and Wilkins getting some tough tackles in. Glenn and Rook also make some great covering tackles as Smithswood push on for the fourth but keep it close at the back
79 mins Sub Ryder on for Wilkins who is straight into action as they get through but Rooke makes a great tackle and they shoot well wide.
81 mins Goal 4-0 Thompson crosses to Short who attempts an overhead kick just inside the penalty area. It falls to Harris whose shot is saved by the keeper but Harris buries the rebound
Fantasy Update Scorer Harris Assist Short
85 mins Thomas shoots from 25 yards and the keeper spills it. Short is first to react to the rebound and slots home but the flag is up for offside
87 mins Anderson hits a bullet shot which is just inches over the bar as Smithswood's fitness has them in total control of the game
90 mins Smithswood take a quick free kick and Andesron plays a great one two with Short that splits the defence but his shot is straight at the keeper. Firs attacking to the last whistle
92 mins The ball breaks from a Crusader throw to short who tries an early lob which beats the keeper but goes just wide.
Full time 4-0 to Smithswood
