Reece Smith's promising start to life at Harrogate Town continues with 'fantastic' display against Grimsby Town
Reece Smith’s promising start to life at Harrogate Town continued on Saturday with a “fantastic” display and “brilliant goal” against Grimsby.
The 23-year-old, who joined the League Two Sulphurites from Maidenhead United in the summer, produced a tidy performance at Bristol Rovers on the opening day and followed it up with an even better one.
His overall display in the number 10 role was again an accomplished one, capped by a moment of real quality in the 58th minute, which saw him break the deadlock.
Receiving the ball on the left flank following a quickly-taken free-kick, Smith cut inside onto his right foot and curled a precise low effort into the bottom corner of the Mariners’ net.
For a player who has never operated above the National League before, and who is still adjusting to life as a full-time professional footballer, the fact that he has been able to hit the ground running bodes extremely well.
And Town boss Simon Weaver is thrilled by what he has seen from Smith thus far.
“It was a brilliant goal against Grimsby and I thought that he was fantastic,” the Harrogate chief said.
“He has settled so quickly. He can play on the left, he can play in the hole and he is a threat as he showed on Saturday. It was a great finish.
"The way he has stepped up to full-time football has been impressive. He’s been top of the running charts, he’s been off the scale.
"He is a good athlete and a different type of player to what we have had before, but he has a lovely style about him and he can back it up with substance.”
Smith’s opener was cancelled out soon afterward by Charles Vernam, and although Ellis Taylor’s penalty and a fine effort by debutant Conor McAleny put Town in control by the 76th minute, Harvey Rodgers and Jaze Kabia struck late on to earn Grimsby a point.