This article provides an easy rundown of the various academy matches that have taken place over the past week…
U9s
Game One
Chesterfield U9s welcomed Somersall Rangers Bulldogs, battling well against tough opposition.
Despite not playing to the best of their ability, there were many positives to take away from the game, but also many aspects to work on in training.
Game Two
Chesterfield U9s took on York Elites in the JPL but lacked their usual cutting edge in attack and lacked defensively at times, leaving somewhat disappointed.
Like the other U9s, there were many positives and negatives, all of which will be worked on in training.
U10s
A good day at the office for Chesterfield U10s, comfortably taking on York City in the JPL.
U11s
Chesterfield U11s fought the elements during their JPL match against Yorkshire RTC, battling hard and putting training into practice.
U12s
Chesterfield U12s took home a well-earned 3-0 victory as they welcomed UFCA in their JPL match-up.
With an excellent attitude and some good fight, the young Spireites overcame tough opposition through a Thompson brace and a Todd goal to seal the win.
A special mention for Manlove, who walked away with the MOTM award.
U13s
Game One
Highfields witnessed a 2-2 draw between Chesterfield U13s and Coventry Sky Blues.
Jenkins and Hall made sure that the young Spireites could take home a point, with Coventry unable to take the lead in the last few moments of the game thanks to Perry.
Despite not playing to their usual standards, and the opposing team full of some very skilful players, Chesterfield were able to hang on for the draw – a result that may not have happened six weeks ago.
Game Two
Chesterfield Yorkshire U13s overturned a 3-2 half-time scoreline to pip Yorkshire RTC to a JPL win, with the game finishing 5-4.
Having gone 4-2 down, the young Spireites showed resilience and intensity to battle back against tough opposition.
Braces from Monnelly-Neves and Barton, alongside a Meehan strike helped Chesterfield in their fight back over RTC.
“It was a tough fixture against a resilient opponent, who battled hard against us,” said the U13s coach.
“The boggy and narrow pitch played into their hands, making it compact, battling for 50/50s and second balls.
“We started bright but got caught on the counter a couple of times.
“Once we made a plan to control their threats, it was so much easier.
“I was so proud of the lads with their fight back in the closing stages of the game. From 4-2 down to win 5-4, it was brilliant. Our intensity and tempo made it possible.”
U14s
Game One
The young Spireites travelled to South Shields for their Saturday fixture, drawing 2-2 in a fiery match-up.
Two cheap goals in the first 20 minutes put Chesterfield Yorkshire U14s on the backfoot, as South Shields poked home from a corner before scoring the second from the resulting restart.
Chesterfield showed great resilience to draw level before the break. Justice reacted quickest from a corner to prod home, before Shepperd smashed a shot into the top corner to make it 2-2.
Chesterfield dominated the second half for large spells but were unable to make their chances count and take the three points.
Game Two
A fatigued second half saw Chesterfield fall to a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Stourbridge FC.
The young Spireites were excellent in the first half, implementing their training by pressing quickly and switching the play well in attack, with the players receiving the ball in tight areas and spreading the ball quickly to aid their defensive play.
Having gone into the break 2-0 up through Worall and Norris, the lack of substitutes became obvious as the visitors scored three quick-fire goals early into the second half.
A third from Marsden was not enough to grab a point in their JPL fixture, as Stourbridge took home all three points.
Futsal Game
Chesterfield Town U14s guaranteed their place in the Futsal Cup quarter-finals, pushing past CFC with a 2-1 scoreline.
The opposition were physically bigger and stronger, and worked Chesterfield hard.
Two goals from Davies, which earned him the MOTM award, was enough for the young Spireites to push past CFC.
Harris did well to control the midfield and dazzle the opponent with his skills, while Charles and King worked together to frustrate the opposition defence.
U15s
Game One
A match between Qualitas and Chesterfield saw a rollercoaster of events, with both teams taking the lead throughout the game. The young Spireites were on the right end of the result, walking away with all three points in a 5-3 victory.
McGawn opened the scoring after 16 minutes, having his shot deflected in following a fine cross from Brassey.
Qualitas pegged Chesterfield back five minutes later, before taking the lead three minutes after that.
A Coye brace, a lob and a header, sandwiched another Qualitas goal, meaning the sides were even early into the second half.
On the hour mark, it seemed like the result could have gone either way. To add to his earlier assist, a Covill brace, however, took the game away from Qualitas and earn Chesterfield three points in the JPL.
It would have been easy for heads to drop but the young Spireites battled hard and showed a good attitude to come away with the right result.
Game Two
Another Cancello brace helped Chesterfield U15s overcome Kidderminster, with the win being an all-important 4-2 away victory.
The young Spireites went into the break at 2-1, and completed the win in the second half, with Horsley and Mercer chipping in with the goals.
Chesterfield did well to bounce back from recent results, as Cancello continues his rich vein of form, scoring for the third consecutive game.
