Smith still wants more from his five-star Storks

The Storks have scored 10 goals in their last two games, conceding just one, having followed up their 5-1 victory over Burscough in the Hallmark Security Premier Division with a five star performance at home to Thackley in the FA Vase on Tuesday night.

Striker Jay Hart opened the scoring in the sixth minute at the Ruby Civil Arena to clear Padiham’s path to Wembley when curling the ball into the top corner from the left hand side of the penalty area.

Chris Turner doubled the lead in the 20th minute with a right-footed drive across the keeper that picked out the stanchion from 25 yards out.

Turner then scored a replica of his first goal in the 39th minute to provide the hosts with a comfortable cushion at the interval.

Hart grabbed his second of the evening after the break when showing great composure in a one-on-one situation with Luke Wilson to slot the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs.

And the home side saved the best until last when Dominic Craig capped a superb passage of play with a fine finish from the penalty spot with just over half-an-hour of the tie remaining.

“They seem to have got that confidence back and the players are buying into what we want to do and how we want to play,” said Smith.

“It was a really good performance, we were ruthless, and we never sat back on our lead. We kept going for more, it was really positive.

“We can’t grumble at that. We’re really pleased, not just with the goals but with the clean sheet too. It was our first as a management team.

“Danny Taberner has come in, he didn’t have much to do but he gave us that confidence in the back line. Luke Holden, who we signed from Clitheroe, did really well too.

“It’s a confidence thing. We’ve got some good footballers at the club and we’ve added more new faces with plenty of quality.

“We’ve got that buzz back after getting some positive results and that’s bringing the best out of the players.”

Smith added: “They’re buying into our ideas, they’re working hard and it’s clicking.

“There’s still a long way to go and a lot of work to do but it’s been very good so far. We want to keep breeding that winning mentality.

“We will never stop working or looking for ways to improve. If you start standing still in football then you’re in trouble.

“We’re always looking to develop and move forward. We want to put a run together and get the gates up at the Arbories.

“We know what it takes to be successful in this league and we won’t stop working until we get it how we want it to be. We’ve got a strong work ethic and we demand the best.”

Goalkeeper Taberner, from Ramsbottom, and defender Holden have been joined through the door by FC United playmaker Kieran Glynn and former Oldham Athletic attacking midfielder Jake Hargreaves.

Padiham take on Lancaster City in a friendly at Accrington and Rossendale College on Saturday with kick-off at 1 p.m.