 Smith established himself in the Stoke defence in 1969 – 70 , forming a centre @-@ back partnership with Alan Bloor in between full @-@ backs Jackie Marsh and Mike Pejic . Smith was the aggressive and highly physical defender , complimented by Bloor who tended to stay further back and use his intelligence to read the game and clean up any mistakes Smith made . Smith claimed his first goal for the club on 17 September 1969 , in a 3 – 1 win over West Bromwich Albion ( West Brom ) at the Hawthorns . Stoke reached the semi @-@ final of the FA Cup in 1970 – 71 , and Smith played in the fourth round victory over Huddersfield Town despite suffering from a fractured ankle . He scored the only goal of the game in the fifth round replay away to Ipswich . He also scored a " freak goal " from a deflected Peter Storey clearance in the semi @-@ final against Arsenal on 27 March 1971 , but Stoke lost the replay four days later . 
