Connor Smythe recalls 'classic non-league' night for Worksop Town

Connor Smyth in action against Westfields. Pic by Lewis Pickersgill.

Smythe highlighted the side’s 3-1 win at Westfields in September as a victory which summed up the beauty of non-league football and says he can’t wait to do it all again next season.

The left-back grabbed the important goal which put his side ahead in Herefordshire, before he was also dismissed during an eventful midweek voyage.

“It was just a classic non-league tale really,” said Smyth. “You’ve got the bus leaving Sandy Lane at 2pm and everyone had to take time off work – I had to ask a colleague to take over my lesson so that I could get out early to make the bus.

“We didn’t switch on and we fell behind – deservedly too, and it was a wonder strike if I remember rightly – but it kicked us into shape.

“The goal that I scored that night was the only one that I have scored this season competitively, so it was nice to get underway with that one.

“I remember running off and seeing someone celebrating in the crowd and it was my brother, who had driven down to come and support us that evening, so that was a nice moment that I won’t forget.

“The downside to that was the sending off and the two yellow cards, and people still ask me about that and still to this day I say that I am not quite sure why I was sent off.”

And Smythe admits he can’t wait to feel that bond with the fans once again.

“The drive home, with us not getting back ‘til gone half-past two in the morning – and not just us, the fans that also came to support us – is classic non-league,” he continued.

“You then have got to get some food, get to bed, and you’re up for work at six – well I was, I’m sure some of the other lads are up earlier for work the next day.

“The people that live non-league, they live it every single day and it plays a huge part in people’s lives and communities.

“You cannot underestimate the impact that football clubs have in their local community, and people have got to believe that there is going to be brighter times at the end of what we are going through and people have to cling onto those happy times.”