Matt’s heroics secure award

MATT SMITH

ATHLETIC’S giant striker Matt Smith is the latest winner of the FA Cup with Budweiser’s player-of-the-round award.

Smith’s heroics in scoring in both fifth-round matches against Everton have earned him the prestigious award – and an invitation to this year’s FA Cup final at Wembley.

Smith scored a stoppage-time equaliser in the first game last-16 game at Boundary Park, earning a replay at Goodison Park which Athletic lost 3-1.

Smith collected 48-per-cent of the public vote, ahead of Blackburn’s Jake Kean, Wigan duo Callum McManaman and Arouna Kone, and Barnsley’s Chris Dagnall.

The 23-year-old will join Scott Murray, Nicky Platt, Kieran Lavery, Andre Gray, Ryan Bowman, Danny Hylton, Alex Lawless and Scott Rendell as a guest of Budweiser and The FA at this season’s final in May.

The last player from Oldham to secure the player-of-the-round honour was Oldham Town’s James Curley.

He won the inaugural award way back in September, 2003, after bagging a hat-trick against Liversedge in the first qualifying round.

The sixth round takes place this weekend with holders Chelsea travelling to Manchester United, Everton hosting Wigan, Barnsley going to Manchester City and Millwall entertaining Blackburn.