Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context
Gillingham 4 Chesterfield 1
League Two Game #4
Sometimes this column takes a bit more thought and a bit more time to pen. This is one of those, it just seems impossible to pen. That’s two pens already and I’ve not even got going properly. Just shows you how easy it is for a pen to be slipped in for no reason at all.
I just need to start to tackle it, a bit like Zach Hemming did, a proper, no thought needed, solid tackle, then pick up a Little pen. Blast, time’s ticking and I’m behind already. I don’t deserve this.
I just feel I’m namby-pamby-ing around, just not being able to clear my thoughts, or my lines, but there, in a presentation box, is a second Little pen. That’s two and I’ve still not warmed up.
The normal free-flowing words are all a bit staccato, no rhythm, no plan, no successful outcomes, but hold on, some inspiration at last, AbracaDobra, maybe the stimulus has returned and I can get back on track.
Pass. A very long pass confuses me. After two Little pens, it’s the turn of another little fellow, The Clitheroe Kid, to come into my mind to all but end my hopes of penning a happy ending story (Lenni Cirano, making his EFL debut, joined Gills from Clitheroe Town).
Thirty-five more minutes of hoping to get started before all inspiration is wiped out by Wyllie rushing into the box, sending The Kentish fans into ecstasy. I just can’t ‘Take’ it!
It still feels unreal. Was that this season’s Tranmere? After that game in April, Paul Cook’s side went six games unbeaten, three wins, three draws, we’d all take that right now.
Another 70-odd percent possession game. Last season, not a single EFL games that Chesterfield had between 70 and 79.9% possession was won. The three wins this season, all sub-70, the Stags game? 70.8%. Confirms that the team is susceptible to quick breaks or long balls through the middle.
It’s not the first two-pen game at Priestfield. Back in 1985, Town won two spot-kicks, Phil Brown took them both, one saved, one missed, and he then didn’t score in the league for 13 months! The Spireites only had one pen in the league all of last season, and as we can all see, the first one for Gills was anything but. Members of the Chesterfield coaching staff, on the same side as the assistant-ref, heard him say, ‘no pen’ but the man in the middle saw it differently. Gills boss Gareth Ainsworth thought ‘no pen’ too.
The first goal is always vital, the second invariably a killer, and whilst the gaffer felt that was also a harsh decision, there were chances to clear the lines ahead of the award.
Straight back into the game, should have been a platform to potentially dominate, but a 90-yard keeper kick found the left-back in amongst it, bouncing ball, quick reaction, great finish, no coming back from that. The final goal was no surprise, with many Jasmine Flower kitted Spireites much further up-field, and like Cirino’s goal, it was Marcus Wyllie’s first in the EFL.
Tom Naylor’s 100th appearance for Chesterfield wasn’t how it should have been, but him and his colleagues would love to bounce back at Harrogate Town, six times we’ve played them, no wins. Simon Weaver’s side is much changed with many of their long-serving familiar names no longer being involved, though striker Jack Muldoon is still in the squad, as is defender Warren Burrell.
Two wins and two draws confirm a more than acceptable start for the Sulphurites, like Chesterfield, they have already beaten Bristol Rovers and Barrow, Shaum McCoulsky scored the only goal against Barrow on Tuesday. Name sound familiar? Ex-Maidenhead United, our previous bogey side. Fellow summer recruit Reece Smith also moved north from Maidenhead! They also signed Shirebrook’s ex-Spireite Mason Bennett in the summer, but he picked up an injury on the opening day and hasn’t featured since.
A Take penned whilst in a dazed and confused state, another defeat at Wetherby Road and Sunday’s column will go down like a lead zeppelin. Let’s hope it’s more a stairway to heaven.
Phil’s Positive: It’s Wednesday afternoon that I’m writing this and, to be honest, I’d need a fair bit longer to unearth a genuine positive, other than I’ll take three wins in every four EFL matches all season!
Next Match: We travel to bogey team Harrogate Town on Saturday, August 23, 3pm kick-off. All of the build-up on 1866 Sport from 2 o’clock, 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.
Chesterfield (4-2-3-1 to start): Hemming; Daley-Campbell (Mandeville 69), Dunkley, McFadzean, Gordon (Lewis 88); Naylor (Fleck 69), Stirk; Markanday, Darcy (Duffy 77), Dobra; Grigg (Bonis 69). Unused Subs: Boot, Grimes.
Goals: Dobra 53 (Chesterfield), Little 28 (pen), 50 (pen), Cirino 55, Wyllie 90 (Gillingham)
Referee: Craig Hicks
Bookings: Daley-Campbell (Chesterfield), Andrews, Nevitt, Cirino, Coleman (Gillingham)
Chesterfield manager Paul Cook was booked
Attendance: 5,518 (281 from Chesterfield)
1866 Sport Banner Jones Man of the Match: Armando Dobra (chosen by Kurt Bigg)
