Football: Smyth hits brace as Tytherington stun Premier League side (From Gazette Series)

Hellenic League Supplementary Cup Round Three: Highmoor Ibis 0 Tytherington Rocks 2

11:58am Thursday 14th March 2013 in Thornbury Sport

TYTHERINGTON ROCKS put back-to-back home defeats firmly behind them with a commanding and emphatic victory at Premier Division side Highmoor Ibis.

This was the first ever meeting between the two clubs, and Rocks started the brighter when Toby Colbourne laid off to Joe White, who struck his low drive from ten yards narrowly wide of the post. On the quarter-of-an-hour mark Rocks opened the scoring when White placed an inch-perfect cross onto the waiting head of Jack Smyth, who couldn’t miss with a completely free header into the roof of the net.

Three minutes later the lead was doubled after some neat play left White free to shoot at goal. The effort could only be parried to the hungry Smyth, who smashed home from close range and first time for his second.

A battle of the midfields played out the remainder of the first half on a sticky surface, and Toby Colbourne’s fired effort wide was the only other noteworthy attempt at goal before the break. As the game resumed the skilful Sam Taylor guided a neat ball to the back post where Toby Colbourne blazed his effort over the bar from close range.

The chances kept coming for the away side with White again causing problems and finding substitute Alex Chapman, who crashed his effort narrowly wide of the post.

In the 84th minute Chapman’s rising header at the back post could only be tipped over for a corner.

It took until added time for Highmoor’s first effort at goal, as player manager Shane Small-King drove a low free-kick into the area that Craig Beavis could only parry but he soon had control of the ball and cleared to safety.

The victory puts The Rocks in the draw for the quarter-finals of the competition in a thoroughly deserved and dominant display. Beating Hellenic Premier League opposition is not unfamiliar for them with victories over Abingdon United in 2005/06 and Wantage Town in 2007/08 making this their third over higher level opponents.

Rocks: Beavis, Nelson, Lecrass, Missiato, Emery, Sperring, White (Baker 83), Criddle, Colbourne (Walters 85), Taylor, Smyth (Chapman 77).