Smithswood Firs made the short trip to AFC Solihull as top of the table faced bottom. Smithswood Firs arrived in great form following last weeks’ cup win against Coton Green and looked to continue producing the great passing football they have managed so far this season.
From the start of the game The Lions dominated possession and looked dangerous every time the went forward. They were 1-0 up on 13 minutes as Curtis Thomas whipped a great corner in which fell for Liam Williams who fired in from short range. Like last week’s game they could have gone in at half-time with four or five on the score sheet which it looked like being once Adam Rooke continued his scoring spree twenty minutes in. It was a great team move which involved Curtis Thomas once again who whipped an undefendable cross in and Rooke was there to fire home on the half volley. The chances were there but Smithswood couldn’t increase their lead before half time as they were just rushing the final ball at times and over hitting it on what must be one of the shortest pitches in the league.
More of the same was the message at half time and to work the chances a little bit better. It was one-way traffic in the second half and the Lions took a three goal lead five minutes after the break. Sam Hulme was a constant threat up top spinning wide down the left and he left the full back for dead with his quick feet and fired a ball across the box which looked to deflect off the post and Aaron Anderson bundled it over the line. I am not sure how much he knew about it but he was in the right position. Anderson didn’t get as much of the ball in the first half as he would have liked but was a constant threat when moved into a three-man midfield in the second half. That change also gave Danny Charlton a free role in behind Liam Willams and Sam Hulme and he was unlucky not to walk away with a few goals on the day although the pleasing thing is he is getting in the right positions so the goals will come.
Curtis Thomas and Ash Weeks were again dominant in the centre of the pitch in the first half with their great range of passing and ability on the ball and they created the space for Anderson, Charlton, Hulme and Williams to attack AFC Solihull. When Anderson joined them in the second half they were even better as Smithswood controlled possession and the pace of the game.
Smithswood looked solid at the back with Lewis Cottrill, Jack Duffy, Adam Rooke, Carl Thompson and Adam Reece rarely troubled as they picked up a good clean sheet. Nathan Leek replaced Adam Rooke, Tyrone Borland for Adam Reece and Anthony Short returned from injury for Ash Weeks and they all slotted straight in nicely as they kept the pressure up. Leek was impressive with his range of passing from the back and both he and Short were heavily involved in the last goal. Anthony Short left two players for dead in the centre of the pitch with a great turn and quick feet finding Nathan Leek. Leek threaded a pin-point ball through to Liam Williams who rounded the keeper and walked the ball in for his second of the game.
It was 4-0 at the final whistle and some more great football by Smithswood but again they had plenty of chances to possibly get at least twice as many goals so will be hoping to rectify that over the coming weeks but the manager will be happy with the creative play of his team and the fact that they are getting into those goal scoring positions regularly.
The team are away again next week as they travel to Alcester Town. Both games last season were great tight affairs so this one should be no different as the Lions try to keep the pressure on and stay top of the table.
