Smith too hot to handle as he fires Sylvans into semis

You can imagine Smith, unstoppable in his day – and this was most certainly one of those – will be licking his lips at taking on the winners of the Rangers-Red Lion North quarter-final.

Sylvans were not openly any better than the visitors on Tuesday evening, but they had the ace in their pack and it seems inconceivable that there has ever been a better individual quadruple on this ground than their current top scorer’s in this 5-2 win.

It truly was a display of outstanding finishing, perhaps only the fourth ranking as anywhere near average.

Bels’ own maestro, Charlton Gauvain, could only watch on. Fitted with a protective boot, the injured forward was an interested observer as Bels trotted out with Ryan-Zico Black in their midfield.

Sylvans made a subtle change to their back line, with Miles Hardill moving over the right of the back three and the left-footed Nick Trebert slotting in on the other side.

Once again the wind, blowing almost directly down the pitch, was a potential spoiler and the home side would have it at their backs for the opening 45.

Just 12 minutes in, Bels were ahead.

Sylvans failed to clear a ball in from the right and given time on the edge of the box Steve Renouf hooked home a fine finish that snuck just inside the post to keeper Nick Batiste’s left hand.

The lead lasted just four minutes as Smith struck for the first time.

Seb Smeed chipped a lovely pass over the top of the visiting backline and Kyle Smith produced the most exquisite of finishes over the onrushing Tom Bruley.

Two minutes later Smith almost had a second.

Freed by a long ball down field in the inside-left position, Smith raced away and only a fine block by Bruley kept the score level.

Bels suffered a blow as Stu Roussel limped off to be replaced by Chris King, but even allowing for that they would have been satisfied to reach half-time level, given the strength of the wind facing them.

But with the half into stoppage time Sylvans grabbed an important second, Tomos Ap Sion outstripping Damian Le Tocq for pace and tucking away a cool finish.

After the turnaround Robbie Williams blasted a decent chance well over as Bels pushed for the equaliser but within two minutes he did a whole lot better.

Dave Merris won a 50-50 ball with Jacob Fallaize and as the ball ran free it was fed to Williams to finish off.

Smeed responded with a sweet 25-yard volley that flew just too high and a minute later Smith again punished the visitors for adopting a high line.

An exposed defence was beaten for pace, Smith racing away and blasting his second past Bruley.

It was a great goal but bettered by his third.

Another ball over the top saw the striker pushed wide towards the corner flag. The danger seemed to have been alleviated, but from a narrow angle Smith smashed home a remarkable goal that flew high into the net before Bruley could move. It was astonishing.

Two minutes later he had another, a more standard finish but a good one nevertheless and the game was well and truly up for a Bels side who, in defeat, might consider why on earth they opted to push so high and allow Sylvans to run in behind so easily.