Smethwick Rangers V Coventry Copsewood (Division One)

​Smethwick were looking to continue their brilliant start in division one with a result against Coventry Copsewood yesterday. It’s been an eye-catching start for the hosts with six wins from nine matches prior to their match last night to leave them in 3rd. They had been excellent at the back so far with just six goals conceded from nine matches and notably drew 1-1 with Nuneaton Town on Saturday.

Coventry Copsewood were also looking to build on their encouraging start to the season. The visitors have been competitive in step six and were comfortably in mid table going into yesterday. Striker Sean Kavanagh was in form with five goals from nine matches so far. They notably beat Stapenhill 3-0 to start the season and can cause a few upsets in division one.

The atmosphere around the Boldmere community stadium was relaxed and welcoming prior to kick off. It’s been a busy opening month for both teams and yesterday was their tenth match in division one. The facilities around the ground are impressive for the level with a well-presented club house and bar available. It was a nice evening yesterday with clear skies despite showers during the day. 

​Starting line ups

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

There were three changes from the team that started against Nuneaton Town at the weekend with Danny Wood coming into the team and playing in holding midfield alongside Chukwuxavier Nwobani-Akano.

Coventry Copsewood’s starting line up included Jack Hartopp starting in goal and Charlie Gordon captaining the team from holding midfield. The formation appeared to be a 4-2-3-1 with Sean Kavanagh leading the line up front and being supported by Harvey Wells and Hamza Siddique on the wings.

There were two changes from the team that started against Nuneaton Griff at the weekend with Faith Okundaye coming into the team and playing in central defence alongside Joe Anthony. 

​First Half

Smethwick got off to a brilliant start and took the lead inside the opening fifteen minutes. Oliver Jeeves made a brilliant run to the byline and squared it to Dylan Green who finished into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0.

It helped Smethwick settle into the match and they were looking to continue their six-match unbeaten run in the league.

There was an unfortunate injury to Joe Anthony in the build up to the goal and he came off for the visitors following the opening goal. Sam Hewitt came on and filled in admirably at the back throughout the rest of the match.

Coventry Copsewood grew into the game as the first half went on and were starting to build some momentum in front of goal. Harvey Wells had an effort from the right-hand side of the box that was saved by Andrea Spanou in the Smethwick goal.

Smethwick were well organised at the back and disciplined off the ball to limit the clear-cut chances for Coventry Copsewood throughout the first half. The visitors had a lot of the ball but were struggling to get it in dangerous areas which was down to Smethwick closing off the space and pressing high up the pitch.

Pierre Phillips was brilliant throughout the first half at the back. He was reading the game well and getting to a lot of inviting balls either in the box or down the channels from the visitors. Another player who impressed for Smethwick was Chukwuxavier Nwobani-Akano who was breaking up the play and linking up well from midfield.

It was a tight match with not that many chances in front of goal. The visitors showed character to get back into the match at 1-0 down and were threatening for an equaliser in the latter stages of the first half.

Following the early injury to Joe Anthony in the opening fifteen minutes Faith Okundaye stepped up at the back and did well by clearing dangerous balls into the box. He took the pressure off the visitors and gave them a foothold in the match.   

The best chance for Smethwick came when Jake Wilkes got forward from left-back and had a shot that was well saved by Jack Hartopp.

Harvey Wells had the visitor’s best chance of an equaliser when he had a strike well saved by Andrea Spandou a few minutes before half time.              

It was an intriguing match going into half time with a lot to play for in the second half

Second Half

Smethwick had an early chance at the start of the second half with Oliver Jeeves making a good run into the box before having a shot go over the bar.

Coventry Copsewood were applying the pressure on Smethwick in search of an equaliser and were given a penalty for a foul in the box. Danny Lole stepped up and his effort hit the right-hand post before rebounding to Charlie Gordon who anticipated it well and scored to make it 1-1.

It was not quite clicking in the final third for Smethwick in the second half. They were getting into some good positions in and around the box but missing that final ball to stretch the Coventry Copsewood defence.      

Faith Okundaye made a rare mistake at the back and a loose touch let in substitute Callum North who was through on goal. He took a shot from distance that was well saved by Jack Hartopp who managed to tip the ball round the post for a corner.

It was a tight game with not that many clear-cut chances and they were evenly matched yesterday. Smethwick and Coventry Copsewood were well organised off the ball and limited the space available in the final third. It felt like one goal would be enough to decide it late on.    

Charlie Gordon was having a good game for the visitors and linking up the play well. He offered them that composure to settle into the match in the first half and led them on from midfield in search of a winner.  

There was also a late chance for Smethwick to win it in injury time following a few threatening corners into the box. A well delivered corner found Pierre Phillips who had a header cleared off the line in the final few minutes.

Not long after the referee blew for the full-time whistle with both teams taking home a point.

Full Time

Smethwick will be slightly disappointed with drawing against Coventry Copsewood which is a sign of how far they’ve come. The new management team of Francino Francis and Sam Heath were appointed last season, and they have come on leaps and bounds since fighting relegation at the start of the 23/24 season.

To be 2nd in the league is a remarkable achievement and they have been building something since moving to Boldmere in the middle of last season. They got a valuable point yesterday against a good side. It continues their seven-match unbeaten run with just one loss in the league so far this season.

Full credit to Coventry Copsewood who showed character to get back into it from 1-0 down. They kept going despite struggling in the early stages of the first half and grew into the game as it went on.

There’s a lot of quality players such as Sean Kavanagh, Harvey Wells and Bryan Kohyrelon which gives them a chance in every match.

Their defence impressed yesterday with Faith Okundaye and Sam Hewitt playing well at the back and adjusting to the injury to Joe Anthony in the first half.

Overall, there’s a lot to be positive about for both teams going forward at step six.         

FT score: Smethwick Rangers 1-1 Coventry Copsewood

Man of the match: Faith Okundaye (Coventry Copsewood)

Attendance: 35

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League