Smethwick Rangers V Heather St John's (Division One)

Smethwick Rangers were looking to continue their impressive home form with a statement result against Heather St John’s at the Boldmere Community Stadium. It’s been a brilliant season for the hosts so far who were in the play-off mix with five wins and four draws from ten home matches going into yesterday.

They had one of the best defensive records in the league with just 18 goals conceded from 21 matches.     
Heather St John’s have been one of the form teams over the last month and are starting to build some momentum in step six. The Saints were coming off three wins from their last four matches to sit in 4th going into this match.

It’s been an encouraging season for the Leicester side so far who have built on the positives of last season and bought in players such as Nathan McGarrity to boost their attack.    

The atmosphere at the Boldmere Community Stadium was friendly and welcoming prior to kick off.

​The weather conditions were the most challenging of the season with storm Darragh causing havoc across the MFL and leading to numerous postponements across the four divisions. It was cold with gusty winds throughout the afternoon and credit to the supporters who turned up yesterday. 

​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 3-4-3 with Kevin Ngombi leading the line up front and being supported by Ramani Stephens and Dylan Green in attacking midfield.

There were two changes from their match against Birstall United last weekend with Efe Unuarhemhen coming back into the team and playing as part of a back three.

Heather St John’s starting line-up included Matt White starting in goal and Kyle Jardine captaining the team up front. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Kyle Jardine being supported by Nathan McGarrity and Haydn Brown on the wings.

There were four changes from their match against Lutterworth Athletic last weekend with Ben Whitehead coming into the team and playing in central defence alongside George Wesley. 

​First Half

The opening stages of the match were free flowing with both teams having good chances in front of goal. There was a guilt edged chance for Kevin Ngombi who raced through on goal before firing wide of the right-hand post for Smethwick. Jacob Carter had a half chance from the edge of the box at the other end whose shot was saved by Andreas Spanou. 

​A quality passing move saw Heather St John’s take the lead in the 13th minute. Haydn Brown was through on goal following some neat build up play and was one on one with just the Smethwick keeper to beat. He made no mistake and finished into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0 to the Saints.

Smethwick showed character and gradually grew into the match at 1-0 down. They were starting to build some momentum in front of goal in the middle of the first half with Ramani Stephens linking up well with Kevin Ngombi in the final third who had a shot well saved by Matt White in the 16th minute.

The hosts looked well organised at the back with Jake Lamb and Charlie Aston reading the danger well to limit the chances for Heather St John’s. Danny Wood also did a good job of tracking back and breaking up the play from holding midfield.

Heather were able to see out the pressure from Smethwick and were clinical in front of goal yesterday to make it 2-0 near the end of the first half. A short corner routine down the left-hand side saw Kyle Jardine get the ball outside the box. The Saints striker had an effort at goal find the top right corner from distance to give Heather a control of the match.

The visitors looked well set up yesterday with George Wesley playing well at the back and managing to break up promising Smethwick attacks. Jack Hession also linked up the play well from holding midfield and regularly won the ball back throughout the first half.         

Second Half

Heather’s form in front of goal continued in the early stages of the second half and they created a brilliant goal to make it 3-0. Substitute Jake Finnerty raced down the left-hand side before playing a low cross to Kyle Jardine who found the bottom left corner in the 49th minute.

Smethwick offered an attacking threat throughout the second half and Kevin Ngombi was doing a good job of holding up the play to build attacks. Their defensive record is one of their main strengths but there’s quality on the ball and they moved the ball well yesterday in tough conditions.

The best chance for Smethwick in the second half fell to Red Simmons who was free in the box from wing back before putting a header wide of the left-hand post.

Heather made it 4-0 late on when Nathan McGarrity cut inside before producing a quality finish into the bottom right corner. The Saints were clicking in front of goal yesterday and arguably have one of the best attacks in the division when on form.

Smethwick threatened from a couple of corners into the box in the latter stages of the second half and came close to getting a goal back. Matt White did a good job of tipping a corner over the bar to keep the clean sheet intact for Heather.

The visitors were able to see the match out in the closing stages for a huge three points that moves them up to 2nd and only two points off league leaders Nuneaton Town.

Full Time

Smethwick competed well with Heather yesterday and were a bit unlucky with the weather conditions and meeting a team in form. They played well in spells and had promising moments in front of goal with Kevin Ngombi impressing in the final third.

Despite the result, it’s been a good season overall and their still firmly in the play off hunt. To be in 4th with over half the season played is a brilliant achievement for the squad and the management team of Sam Heath and Francino Francis.

They have a tough run of games coming up against teams challenging near the top of the table. They play Coton Green (Away) next weekend before games against Cradley Town (Home), Bilston (Away) and Gornal Athletic (Home) over the festive period.

Heather St John’s were brilliant yesterday and looked like a team challenging for both the play offs and league title. The Saints are building something in step six and look capable of pushing Nuneaton Town for the title if they can keep their form up over the next few months.

Their upcoming matches include Chelmsley Town (Home) next weekend before a festive schedule against the likes Coventry Copsewood (Away), Ingles (Home) and AFC Bridgnorth (Home). 

Their record at St John’s Park has been one of their strengths so far with ten wins from thirteen matches and if they can keep putting in consistent performances, they should be near the top of the table.            

FT score: Smethwick Rangers 0-4 Heather St John’s

Man of the match: Kyle Jardine (Heather St John’s)

Attendance: 30

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League