Smethwick Rangers V AFC Bridgnorth (Division One)

​Smethwick were looking to bounce back from Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Heather St John’s with a result against AFC Bridgnorth. There’s been some positives for the club so far this season such as the away wins against the likes of Lutterworth Athletic and Saffron Dynamo.  

There was also a change in management structure over the last week with Sam Heath being named manager and being joined in the dugout by Jon Allen as his assistant.

AFC Bridgnorth were a side in form coming into yesterday’s match with just one loss from their opening nine games in division one. The Shropshire side were pushing for the play offs under manager Jack Griffiths and have built some momentum at step six following his appointment last season.  

It’s been a brilliant season for the visitors so far with eye catching results against AFC Wolverhampton City in the FA vase and Gornal Athletic in the league.  

They were coming off the back of an encouraging 3-0 win against Saffron Dynamo at the weekend thanks to a brace from Mitch Bradford and a goal from Reagan Wardle. 

​Starting line ups

Smethwick’s starting line up included Josh Webb starting in goal and Kye Billingham-Belle captaining the team from attacking midfield. The formation looked like a 3-4-3 with a front two of Lucas Edwards and Ronnie Holt being supported by Kye Billingham-Belle in the number ten role.

There were six changes from their match against Heather St John’s at the weekend with Jack Ritchie-Hopkin coming into the team and playing in holding midfield alongside Sam Simmonds.

AFC Bridgnorth’s starting line up included Craig Pain starting in goal and Reagan Wardle captaining the side on the left wing. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Nick Turton playing up front and being supported by Reagan Wardle and Mitch Bradford on the wings.

There were four changes from their match against Saffron Dynamo at the weekend with Ryan Bright coming into the team and playing at right-back. 

​First Half

Smethwick got off to a promising start inside the opening fifteen minutes and were building up the play well in the final third. Lucas Edwards was starting off attacks up front and did well to hold up the ball as the number nine. Sam Simmonds also helped build some momentum from holding midfield.

The visitors were able to see out the early pressure from Smethwick and grew into the match as the first half went on. Reagan Wardle looked a threat down the left-hand side and was taking players on for the Shropshire side. He made a couple of promising runs into the box before finding the breakthrough to make it 1-0.

He made a brilliant run off the shoulder before getting to the edge of the box and producing a composed low finish into the bottom left corner on 22 minutes.

The visitors had the momentum following the goal and took control of the match with Harvey Evans and Isaiah Beaumont helping to break up promising Smethwick attacks from holding midfield.

​They were building up the play well and looked like a side in form. Mitch Bradford reacted well to a second ball before putting a dangerous cross across the face of goal which just missed Nick Turton at the back post on 31 minutes.

The pressure from the visitors eventually told and they made it 2-0 in the latter stages of the first half when a quality ball was played to the back post and found Joe Prosser who headed into the top right corner on 41 minutes.

Harvey Evans impressed for AFC Bridgnorth throughout the first half. He did a good job of nullifying the attacking threat of Kye Billingham Belle and shielding the back four for the visitors.  

Second Half

AFC Bridgnorth continued where they left off in the early stages of the second half and made it 3-0 on 48 minutes to effectively seal the match. Reagan Wardle made another brilliant run down the left before squaring the ball to Mitch Bradford who produced a quality finish into the top right corner.

Smethwick showed some character in the second half and kept going despite the scoreline.

Nathan Allison found some space in the box before having an effort hit the left-hand post on 55 minutes.

The visitors put in a professional performance throughout the second half to keep Smethwick at bay with Joe Prosser leading by example at the back and helping to clear the ball away from danger.

Ryan Bright also impressed at right-back and had a good game for the visitors last night.

They had a half chance in the middle of the second half when Reagan Wardle found some space on the edge of the box before having a shot saved by Josh Webb.

Smethwick built some momentum in front of goal in the final twenty minutes which felt encouraging for their upcoming games. Substitute Liam Wilson beat a few players down the right-hand side before finding Ronnie Holt at the front post who fired over the bar on 74 minutes.

There were also a few positives to take defensively with Nathan Allison impressing in the second half and reading the danger well at centre back.

Joe Bolton had a half chance on the edge of the box and struck a volley that was comfortably saved by Craig Pain in the Bridgnorth goal late on.  

The visitors were able to see the game out in the closing stages to keep their momentum going in division one and make it back-to-back clean sheets. The Shropshire side moved into 5th following Bilston Town’s 4-1 loss at Sutton United yesterday.          

Upcoming matches

Smethwick have a busy run of matches in division one over the next few weeks and go to Bilston Town on Saturday before playing league leaders Gornal Athletic at home next Tuesday.

They then play Stapenhill at home on Tuesday 23rd September before going to Kirby Muxloe on Saturday 27th September. They round off September with a league cup match at Coventry Copsewood on Tuesday 30th September.

AFC Bridgnorth also have a busy run of fixtures over the next few weeks and play Sutton United (Away) on Saturday. This is followed by a home match against Bilston next Tuesday before a huge match against Stafford Town (Away) in the FA Vase next Saturday.

They then play Gornal Colts (Away) in the JW Hunt cup on Wednesday 24th September before returning to league action with a home match against Lutterworth Athletic on Saturday 27th September.      

FT score: Smethwick Rangers 0-3 AFC Bridgnorth

Man of the match: Reagan Wardle (AFC Bridgnorth)

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League