Leicester St Andrews V Smethwick Rangers (Division One)

Leicester St Andrews were looking for a result yesterday to close the gap on the play offs in division one. They were one point off the top five going into this match and had won five consecutive matches in the league.
  
Smethwick Rangers were in 3rd going into yesterday and on an impressive fifteen game unbeaten run in the league. It’s been a brilliant season so far for the visitors under manager Sam Heath and they were looking to keep it going yesterday.

The atmosphere at Canal Street was friendly and welcoming prior to kick off. The facilities are impressive for the level with a well-presented club house and selection of drinks available for supporters. The programme on offer was informative and included an update of Leicester’s season along with a history of both Leicester St Andrews and Smethwick Rangers.
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The ground is accessible to visit by public transport and supporters can get either the 84 or 85 bus from Leicester City Centre before getting off at the Hall Lane stop where it’s a short eight-minute walk to the ground.  

​Starting line ups

The starting line up for Leicester St Andrews included Luke McAdam starting in goal and Shaun Barber captaining the team from attacking midfield. The formation looked like a 4-3-3 with a front two of Josh Crossley and Greg Mills being supported by Shaun Barber in the number ten role.

There was one change from their match against Heather St John’s last weekend with Leon Fray coming into the team and playing in central defence alongside Andy Melville.

Smethwick’s starting line-up included Andreas Spanou in goal and Charlie Aston captaining the team from central defence. The formation looked like a 5-3-2 with a front two of Kamil Solecki and Dylan Green being supported by Chukwuxavier Nwobani-Akani from attacking midfield.

There were two changes from their match against Lutterworth Athletic last weekend with Tazivaishe Chibaya coming into the team and playing as part of a back three. 

​First Half

Smethwick had a bit of early momentum inside the opening ten minutes and were threatening the Leicester goal with a series of long throw ins. Red Simmons was taking a couple of throws in into the box that caused Leicester a few problems, but they managed to deal with the pressure to settle into the game.

Leicester started to build some momentum in the first half and were moving the ball around well through midfield. Jake Warren and Shaun Barber were linking up the play well and finding space in the final third to create chances.

Josh Crossley was through on goal in the middle of the first half and one on one with Andreas Spanou. The Smethwick keeper stepped up and made an instinctive save to keep it at 0-0.

Smethwick were well organised off the ball which has been one of their main strengths this season. They had the joint best defensive record in division one going into yesterday with just 14 goals conceded from 18 matches and it showed with some brilliant defending from Efe Unuarhemhen and Tazivaishe Chibaya at the back keeping it at 0-0.

The pressure from Leicester eventually told and they put together a quality passing move to take the lead in the 34th minute. Shaun Barber found some space from midfield before playing an inviting through ball to Josh Crossley down the left-hand side. He worked the ball well before squaring it to Greg Mills who got into a good position before producing a quality finish into the top left corner.

It was an impressive goal from the Drews and showcased what their capable of up front. The front two of Josh Crossley and Greg Mills looked a real threat for Leicester in this match and they created a lot of chances in the final third which was encouraging.

Smethwick were looking to soak up the pressure in the first half and play on the counterattack. They had a few half chances to get an equaliser with the best one falling to Dylan Green who had a free kick on the edge of the box saved by Luke McAdam in the closing stages of the first half.

Leicester had another good chance to score and take control of the match near the end of the first half when Greg Mills cut inside from the left-hand side before getting a shot off that hit the crossbar.

None the less, it was an impressive first half from the Drews who defended well off the ball as well as looking a threat up front. Leon Fray was reading the game well at the back and clearing a lot of good balls into the box. Liam Canavan was also breaking up the play from holding midfield.  

Second Half

The opening stages of the second half were cagey and the chances were limited. Leicester St Andrews had a lot of the ball, but Smethwick were doing well to stay in the match at 1-0 down in the hope of getting a late equaliser. The back three defended well and limited the chances in front of goal with Charlie Aston doing well to cut out the danger.

The first real clear-cut chance came with twenty minutes to go when substitute Sam Carroll made a brilliant run down the right-hand side before squaring it to Shaun Barber whose shot was saved by Andreas Spanou in the Smethwick goal.

The visitors had a good chance for an equaliser when a free kick by Red Simmons was well saved by Luke McAdam in the 72nd minute.

The Drews were moving the ball about well in the closing stages of the second half with Jake Warren playing some good balls into the final third. Sam Carroll was also looking a threat on the right-hand side and making things happen.

As Smethwick were committing players forward in search of an equaliser, they were caught on the break with a long ball finding Josh Crossley. He produced a brilliant finish from distance that looped over Andreas Spanou and found the top right corner to make it 2-0.

Smethwick showed some character in the final stages of the match and kept going in search of a goal. They were threatening from set pieces into the box and were a bit unlucky when they found some space before having shots blocked or cleared away from danger.   

Leicester saw the match out for a clean sheet and a huge three points that moves them into the play offs. They’re on an impressive run of form under manager Ross Perkins and they’ve emerged as a genuine play off contender since the start of October.

Full Time

Leicester were brilliant in this match and looked like a team in form. The Drews have gradually grown into the season and are starting to click up front and at the back with an inspired performance to beat Smethwick yesterday. One of the main concerns for the Drews was the injury to Andy Melville at the end of the first half who was reading the game well at the back.

They have gone a bit under the radar in step six but look capable of getting in the play offs if they can sustain their form over the next few months.  

Their fixture schedule includes upcoming league games against Wednesfield (Home), AFC Bridgnorth (Away) and Gornal Athletic (Away).

Smethwick competed well yesterday but just fell short to a brilliant Leicester side to end their notable unbeaten streak. They defended well at the back for the most part with the likes of Tazivaishe Chibaya coming into the team and stepping up to the pressure from the Drews.

Their still in a good position to challenge for the play offs over the next few months if they can string together a consistent run of results. To be in 4th going into the start of November with just two losses from 19 matches is a brilliant achievement and they have been one of the surprise teams this season in a competitive division one.  

Their schedule includes games against Chemsley Town (Home), Allexton and New Parks (Away) and Birstall United (Home) over the next few weeks.

FT score: Leicester St Andrews 2-0 Smethwick Rangers

Man of the Match: Josh Crossley (Leicester St Andrews)  

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League