Boss Rob Smith has hailed midfielder Carl Rodgers as the jewel in AFC Telford United’s crown.

Liam Blakeman, Matty Nolan and Jon Adams won the accolades from the fans last night, their goals sealing a 3-0 victory in the Blue Square North clash at Stalybridge Celtic.

But it was the contribution of the unassuming midfield dynamo Rodgers that got Smith purring with delight.

The former Colwyn Bay man has really come of age in the last year, and is now considered one of the first names on the manager’s teamsheet.

“For me, the pick of the bunch is Carl Rodgers,” he said. “He was brilliant in keeping Stalybridge’s best player Keith Briggs quiet.

“He breaks things up and people don’t see what he does, but he’s a destroyer for us. That lad should be playing at Conference Premier level, without any shadow of a doubt.

“He’s on a contract this season so there’s no worry there, he’s going nowhere for now.”

Smith made just one change to his starting line-up from the side that had drawn at home to Blyth last Saturday, with Adams dropping to the bench to make way for Danny Carey-Bertram.

But, despite only having 17 fit players at his disposal, the Telford chief admits his toughest task is to keep them all happy.

“The one downside was that people like Tom Field, Steve Jagielka and Danny Edwards didn’t even get a shirt last night,” he said.

“It’s really difficult for us, but the lads’ attitude has been fantastic. Matty Nolan got his first 10 minutes for us and got a goal, and I thought he did ever so well.

“That shows the strength of the squad and I keep trying to impress on the lads that we will need all of them over the course of the season.”

The result sets the Bucks up nicely for Saturday’s trip to big-spending Fleetwood Town.

By CHRIS HUDSON