In Paul Cook’s 200th game of his second spell at the club, Chesterfield beat Stevenage by 1-0 to win their 13th FA Cup game under his managership, defeating higher division Boro thanks to a Lee Bonis penalty just past the hour-mark.
Stevenage started well but the Spireites started to dominate as the half wore on and continued in the same vein in the second period. Dilan Markanday was brought down and Bonis thoroughly enjoyed blasting home what proved to be the decisive goal that sealed a place in the hat for the second round draw.
There’s been just six meetings between the two sides; the last two took place in the Spireites’ relegation season to the National League when Stevenage completed the double including a 5-1 win at the Lamex. Those two wins remain their only victories, while the Spireites have won just once in the first home clash back in January 2011.
This season both clubs are in good form. Stevenage conceded just their second goal at home last weekend and had to settle for a point against high-flying Bradford City, a win would have put the Boro top of the League One table. Not surprisingly Stevenage manager Alex Revell yesterday signed a new five-year contract. In similar vein, after failing to convert their first half chances, the Spireites conceded a late leveller at Prenton Park that denied them a third place position.
The two teams had never met in a Cup competition before; the “must be decided on the day” rules will have added an extra urgency to both teams approach. Cook chose to make just one change to the side that started against Tranmere. In came John Fleck as Ryan Stirk stepped aside.
The game was designated Stevenage’s Remembrance Day match and the pre-match silence was respected impeccably. The high admission charge had impacted on the attendance but there was a good Chesterfield following to back the team.
Stevenage kicked off as the Spireites defended the end that housed their travelling support. The first threat came in the 5th minute when Jasper Pattenden burst strongly down the right and hit a strong diagonal ball into the area; Markanday connected first with a vital clearance. Moments later the Boro gained their first corner. Harvey White’s kick was held on the ground, at the second attempt, by Zach Hemming.
A second corner, on the left, taken by Phoenix Patterson found the head of Carl Piergianni but he could only direct it wide of Hemming’s right upright.
Stevenage had a strong claim for a penalty after picking up Fleck’s misplaced pass. The ball in saw Chey Dunkley clash with Patterson in the area; the home team appealed but referee Alan Young was comfortable with the challenge.
The referee didn’t endear himself to the home fans after he showed a yellow card to Pattenden who went down in the area after a clumsy challenge from Kyle McFadzean.
Chesterfield’s best move started down the left, Liam Mandeviile hit a great ball into the box and Markanday hit towards goal but White managed to clear to a team-mate.
Markanday fed Berry in the box but his first-time effort was blocked, moments later Chesterfield thought they’d edged ahead. A great cross to the far post from Fleck saw Bonis’ looping header hit home. Sadly the linesman raised his flag immediately to indicate offside.
All-square at the interval but the Spireites had “grown into the game” and had looked much more threatening in the latter stages after Boro had dominated the early exchanges without causing serious problems.
Shortly after the re-start Dunkley picked up a yellow card for his challenge on Dan Kemp.
A ball across the box found White on the edge of the area, he tried his luck but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
Six minutes into the half Daley-Campbell crossed from the right into the area, Berry picked up hit over from a great position.
White gained a corner on the left. Piergianni connected and his header looked to be sneaking in until Berry managed to hook the ball away. Another corner followed, this time because the referee decided Hemming had held onto the ball too long.
Just after the hour mark misplaced pass provided Markanday with the chance to run into the area. Piergianni made the challenge and referee Young hesitated for just a moment before pointing to the penalty spot for the Spireites’ first penalty in 326 days. Bonis stepped up and hit sweetly home to Marschall’s right.
It was real end-to-end and Kemp hit well from the edge of the area only to watch Hemming claim coolly.
Cook made his first changes after 69 minutes. Dylan Duffy replaced Mandeville and Ronan Darcy took over from Berry.
Markanday made a fifty yard run down the right and into the area, he couldn’t fully control but Dylan Duffy got the final hit that flew over.
Darcy picked up a loose ball, ran well and fed Markanday who burst into the area, hit for goal and saw his superb effort tipped to safety by Marschall.
`Dunkley caused a few hearts to flutter as he looked to clear a home ball into the box, he couldn’t connect cleanly and his header his the crossbar before being cleared.
Duffy hit from wide right into the 89th minute and forced Marschall to put behind for a corner that was defended well.
Hemming pulled off a great late save from Jovan Malcolm’s header but nothing could stop the Spireites claiming a great win away at higher division opponents.
Chesterfield: Hemming, Daley-Campbell (Donacien 85), Dunkley, McFadzean, Gordon; Fleck, Mandeville (Duffy 69), Markanday, Naylor, Berry (Darcy 69), Bonis
Unused subs: Boot, Tanton, Grimes, Lewis, Cook, Dickson
Referee: Alan Young
