Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context
Chesterfield 3 Bromley 0
League Two Game #27
Who’d have thought it? Game #14 against Bromley in our seventh consecutive season as opponents and the first game between the sides, always a bit of a battle, without a single yellow card. Things must be changing!
That said, the Ravens saw a bit of red mist when key defender Omar Sowunmi lunged in on Tom Naylor, not a huge amount of contact, but studs were up and for the second straight game on Whittington Moor, Chesterfield outnumbered their opponents. And for his second straight game on Whittington Moor, the big Bromley defender was shown a red card, and for his second straight game on Whittington Moor, the biggest surprise of all, Michael Cheek didn’t score. I correct my statement at the end of the first paragraph, things just don’t change!
In the wake of the game-changing red, Bromley gaffer Andy Woodman, never one to sit quietly in a corner, was invited to go and sit quietly in a corner after exchanging his views with members of the Chesterfield technical area. No yellow cards, though.
Before that huge call by the referee Ellie, sorry, Ollie Yates, Chesterfield had strung together some good moves and looked the most likely scorers, without overly testing ex-Spireites keeper Grant Smith. The loss of their defensive talisman meant that Bromley’s most dangerous midfielder, wing-back Danny Imray, had to drop back a bit, no bad thing for the home side, and when debut-maker Dylan Duffy rolled the ball to the in-form Armando Dobra to hammer home, a slight deflection helped, it was no surprise. It was a terrific goal.
Dobra, Duffy and Sparkes (sounds like a solicitors’ practice) had been combining in a manner that made you think they’d played together forever, it was joyous to watch, and after the red, Naylor moved up to make it 4-1-4-1, enabling Paul Cook’s side to maximise their numerical advantage.
But despite initially ramming home that advantage, Town dipped a bit and in the second half Bromley had a bit more of the ball, they didn’t really threaten though, but it has to be said, sub Ryan Colclough’s second goal of the season and Chesterfield’s second of the night was a huge relief, Dobra the assistor.
Pass of the Season contender from another sub, John Fleck, to sub Paddy Madden, who reminded us all of his pedigree with another top-drawer goal, confirmed that one of the most important elements of Chesterfield’s season was back, bench strength.
The 3-0 margin was the biggest by either side in our 14 games with Bromley but despite that, Chesterfield’s defence as a whole was magnificent. Both full-backs showed guile in both halves, both centre-backs showed strength and resilience, Cheek and his replacement Kabamba were totally shut-out. A clean sheet so good, it easily passed the Daz challenge.
Hopefully Kyle McFadzean’s knock is just that and nothing more serious. Fingers crossed, he looks the biz. Fellow defender Janoi Donacien is set to return to training on Thursday whilst Harvey Araujo remains a Spireite but is back at parent club Fulham for the next couple of months receiving treatment. Being an under-21, Harvey is not ‘counted’ in the 22-man squad rules.
Back to Dobra. In EFL2 this season, he’s started 23 games, come on as sub in the other four, and he’s scored eight goals in League Two. Good. In his first full season as a Spireite, 2022/23, over the whole season, he started 23 games and came in as a sub in four more, scoring six goals. The petulance that led to suspensions, the delicate hamstrings that led to matches missed, both seem to have been ironed out, whilst the 23-year-old’s defensive instincts have improved no-end (unless you’re reading this as a scout of another club, in which case he’s been rubbish).
Much to enjoy. Result. Goals. Bromley beaten. Team show. Subs superb. Winless run ended. No Cheeky smiles. New faces integrated. A top evening.
Saturday lunchtime, away at Cheltenham Town, a team the Spireites have an excellent record against. Eight trips to Whaddon Road, four wins and three draws and, overall, a 12-2 win record with five draws. In 2000/01, won there, promoted. In 2010/11, won there, promoted. In 2013/14, won there, promoted. Lads, you know what to do!
Phil’s Positive: Yet another more than satisfactory debut for the Spireites, Dylan Duffy looked excellent down the left.
Next Match: Away to Cheltenham Town on Saturday lunchtime, February 1, don’t forget it’s a 12.30pm kick-off. Full commentary on the commentary platform (find details on Chesterfield FC website) with special guest Bob Bloomer, a former Spireites and Cheltenham player. The game is also on Sky and you can watch it in the SBK Spires Restaurant at the SMH Group Stadium on the new video wall. Build-up on 1866 Sport from 11.30am, half-time and After the Whistle remains on the 1866 Sport App, online and on smart speaker.
Chesterfield (4-2-3-1 to start): Thompson; Sheckleford, McFadzean (Metcalfe 80), Grimes, Sparkes; Oldaker (Fleck 85), Naylor; Mandeville, Dobra (Banks 85), Duffy (Colclough 69); Pepple (Madden 69). Unused Subs: Boot, Horton.
Goals: Dobra 36, Colclough 82, Madden 90+1 (Chesterfield)
Referee: Ollie Yates
Bookings: none
Red Card: Sowunmi (23 mins). Bromley manager Andy Woodman was also red carded in the aftermath of that incident.
Attendance: 7,192 (92 from Bromley)
Galaxy Travel 1866 Sport Man of the Match: Armando Dobra (chosen by Jamie Hewitt)
