Tooley’s Take

Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context

Chesterfield 2 Newport County 1

League Two Game #34

Emotion for minute #58. Thanks ref for understanding the needs of every Spireite at that moment, thanks to Newport County AFC for equally understanding, allowing the Chesterfield supporters to clearly show their thanks, but more importantly their love and support, for Mr Phil Kirk. Not a dry eye in the house.

The match was perfect to celebrate all things blue. Spring sunshine, an away team who wanted to play and, for the first time since Solihull Moors on New Year’s Day 2024, the Spireites came from behind to bag three points.

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole afternoon from the pre-match female flag-bearers demonstrating support for International Women’s Day to the final whistle, immediately after the lads managed to successfully defend that last gasp ‘we’re bound to concede from this free-kick’ moment.

Only a second win-double of the season to date, Doncaster Rovers the other, five more chances to add to that lowly tally, Barrow, Carlisle, Tranmere, Wimbledon and Morecambe.

The first 20 minutes of the game showed what we’d been missing in the last four pointless games. Quick movement, crisp attacking passes and a joie de vivre that’s been absent for much of this campaign. A Newport time-out (are they legal?) enabled the Portuguese manager to call over the Portugal-esque (or was it the Welsh flag) clad visitors to take on drinks, or was it to take on vital coaching matters?

Whatever, it led to Town losing a bit of their zip, but not their grip on the game, meaning it came as a surprise, or probably it wasn’t a surprise of late, that a concession came from a corner, Matt Baker hitting home. Would that lead to the Blues’ Petering Out? The One Show we wanted to go well, was it going to be spoiled by a Countryfile legend, who on Sunday afternoon may well be on telly with a load of young bulls? For the record, this Matt Baker is from the Kent countryside.

Nope. Sparkes flew, a double dose of decent deliveries from him. With 41’03” on the clock, a very Tom Naylor looking Tom Naylor flicked on near post for Banks of England to convert from much closer range than a typed out version of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. Then on 42’33” Palmer perfection at the back post, Bim bundled home, negating the one the Welsh club had celebrated only three minutes earlier. A remarkable passage of play.

That half-time lead had only been possible due to a couple of Boot beauts. A shoulder block and a superb one on one block to deny David Ajiboye, a move which also saw Liam Mandeville sprint back to get to the loose ball to snuff out any chance of a concession.

Second half, probably more dominance, more control, but a bit more pragmatic, workmanlike than the opening spell, but nevertheless plenty of PC DNA, a few #Cookball moments. Until that last free-kick moment, I never felt the lead would be ceded, and even then, with how well Palmer and Grimes had been playing, I probably wasn’t uber-anxious.

The game had to be won, not for the points, but for a battle much more important than a scramble up a league table. Let’s hope Phil’s treatment offers his family hope and when everyone’s feeling a bit down, just remember the joy that a couple of scrappy-tappy moments from inches out, in the Spireites sunshine, can deliver.

Greater Manchester’s answer to Hollywood on Tuesday. The Class of 92, led by Karl Robinson, who trails 5-1 in head to head manager meetings with Cookie (plus three draws and no Robinson side has ever scored more than one goal v any PC sides). They’re four places above Chesterfield, who are five points behind with a game in hand, and since that 8-0 FA Cup drubbing at Man City, they’ve only picked up one win and eight points in 11 games. Last two games both drawn.

It will be the Spireites’ third visit to Moor Lane, and having been in the National League and FA Cup before, it’ll be three games in three different competitions. I missed the NL game due to being in Scotland and this game will be my first miss this season. It’s a rearranged fixture – we should have gone there when they lost to City – so originally being a free week, I booked a short break in Lisbon and at match time on Tuesday, I’ll be in a restaurant called Eleven. Just as long as it doesn’t become Town’s away defeat #11 this season, I’ll be reasonably happy. #COYB. #COPK.

Phil’s Positive: Feeling the love for Phil Kirk and witnessing, in a few patches, some real #Cookball, plus the unexpected cameos of Donacien and Gordon.

Next Match: Tuesday, March 11 at Salford City, the match kicks-off at 7.45pm. All of the build-up on 1866 Sport from 7pm, then onto the commentary platform (find details on Chesterfield FC website), with half-time and After the Whistle remaining on the 1866 Sport App, online and on smart speaker. It’ll be Josh & Ellie, along with ex-Spireite Phil Picken taking you through the game, I’ll be keeping tabs via ‘X’ whilst in Portugal, so that means there’ll be no Tooley’s Take on Wednesday morning.

Chesterfield (4-2-3-1 to start): Boot; Sheckleford (Donacien 75),Palmer, Grimes, Sparkes (Gordon 90+2); Naylor, Oldaker (Fleck 75);Mandeville, Banks (Duffy 80), Dobra (Colclough 90+2); Pepple. Unused Subs: Thompson, Olakigbe.