Smethwick Rangers V Gornal Athletic (Division One)

​Smethwick Rangers were looking to build on their encouraging 2-2 draw against Bilston Town at the weekend with a result against league leaders Gornal Athletic. The hosts got a point on Saturday thanks to two late goals from Javone Forrester and Lewis Capper-Imms.    

Gornal Athletic were looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season to Heather St John’s at the weekend. The Peacocks lost 3-1 to the Saints on Saturday to end their unbeaten run in division one and were looking for their first win since beating Ingles 1-0 at the end of last month.  

The visitors had an eye-catching start to the season under new manager Stuart How and won nine consecutive matches throughout August. This included an impressive 7-1 win at Leicester St Andrews on the opening day and home wins against Bilston Town and Sutton United to go top of the table.

They have also signed Reagan Wardle from AFC Bridgnorth over the last week to boost their attacking options up front. 

​Starting line ups

The starting line up for Smethwick included Jonathan Brown starting in goal and Kye Billingham-Belle captaining the team from holding midfield. The formation looked like a 3-4-3 with a front two of Alex Look and Charlie Manners being supported by Nathan Oyemade from attacking midfield.

There were seven changes from their match against Bilston Town at the weekend with Lewis Allison coming into the team and playing as part of a back three alongside Sam Simmonds and Nathan Allison.

The starting line up for Gornal Athletic included Reece Francis starting in goal and captaining the team. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Alex Cameron playing up front and being supported by Taylor Homer and Reagan Wardle on the wings.

There were two changes from their match against Heather St John’s at the weekend with Daniel Harvey coming into the team and playing in holding midfield alongside Ryan Winwood. 

​First Half

Smethwick started the match on the front foot and were looking to cause Gornal problems in the early stages of the first half. Jack White found some space down the left-hand side before finding Charlie Manners in the box who couldn’t quite connect with the cross on 5 minutes.

​The visitors also created a notable chance early on when Jake Short found some space down the left before playing a good ball to Alex Cameron at the back post who put his header over the bar on 15 minutes.

Smethwick settled into the match well throughout the first half and were competitive against the league leaders. The back three of Lewis Allison, Sam Simmonds and Nathan Allison were helping to clear the danger and limit the clear-cut chances for Gornal.

Jack White also helped to break up the play from holding midfield and shield the back four which allowed Kye Billingham-Belle the chance to get forward more as the number eight.   

The first half was cagey in front of goal which was testament to how organised both sides were off the ball.

Gornal looked good at the back with Daniel Hadley reading the danger well and Ben Podmore leading by example to help clear the danger.  

The best chance of the first half came when Nathan Oyemade found some space in the box before having a shot well saved by Reece Franics at the near post on 37 minutes.

Both sides showed flashes of their attacking threat with Nathan Oyemade impressing for Smethwick throughout the first half and looking to make things happen up front.  

Jake Short also impressed for Gornal at left wing back and was looking to build attacks from the left flank and help the Peacocks get up the pitch.  

The best chance for the visitors to break the deadlock came a few minutes before half time when Alex Cameron made a brilliant run off the shoulder from a long ball into the box. Jonathan Brown was alert and came off his line quickly to claim the ball and break up the attack.  

​Second Half

The match continued where it left off in the second half with chances limited in front of goal and both sides cancelling each other out.

Daniel Harvey stood out for the visitors in the second half and worked hard off the ball. He did a good job of closing the space and pressing high up the pitch to stop Smethwick building attacks from midfield.

Reagan Wardle found Ben Podmore from a free kick delivered into the box who headed over the bar for the visitors on 55 minutes.

​Smethwick still looked a threat at the other end and created a good chance on the hour mark. Alex Look beat a few players in the box before having a shot saved by Reece Francis at the front post.

The visitors had a good twenty-minute spell of momentum in the middle of the second half which made the difference last night in a tight game. Taylor Homer struck a free kick that was tipped over the left-hand post by Jonathan Brown on 68 minutes.

The Peacocks found the breakthrough in the 71st minute when Brad Ward found some space down the left-hand side. He delivered a quality ball to the back post that found Taylor Homer who made a good run before finishing into the top right corner for 1-0.

It was unfortunate from a Smethwick perspective who competed well with the league leaders and caused them problems.

The attacking quality from Gornal in the final third made the difference in a close match yesterday.

Smethwick kept going in search of a late equaliser with the best chance falling to Nathan Oyemade from the edge of the box. He created some space before having an effort go wide of the left-hand post on 85 minutes.

Nathan Allison had a brilliant game for Smethwick yesterday and was constantly clearing the danger and breaking up promising Gornal attacks to keep the hosts in it.

The visitors were able to see out the pressure from Smethwick late on to get a huge win in division one and stay top of the table.

It feels like an important result for Gornal with the defence stepping up and helping the visitors get their tenth win of the season.

It’s a competitive division one so far with both Sutton United and Heather St John’s winning last night to keep the pressure on the Peacocks at the top of the table.

Upcoming fixtures

Smethwick have a busy run of matches over the next few weeks and play Stapenhill at home next Tuesday before travelling to Kirby Muxloe on Saturday 27th September.

They then play Coventry Copsewood (Away) in the league cup on Tuesday 30th September before returning to league action with a run of home games against Birstall United (Saturday 4th October) and Allexton and New Parks (Saturday 11th October).

Gornal have a huge match against Haughmond (Home) on Saturday in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase before returning to league action against Saffron Dynamo (Home) next Saturday.

They then play Lye Town at home in the league cup on Tuesday 30th September before playing Stapenhill (Home, Saturday 4th October) and Chelmsley Town (Away, Monday 6th October) in division one.                

FT score: Smethwick Rangers 0-1 Gornal Athletic

Man of the match: Daniel Hadley (Gornal Athletic)

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League