Tooley’s Take
Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context
Rotherham United 2 Chesterfield 1
League Two Match #3
An undeserved but very welcome point slipped away, literally, at the end of a very disappointing resumption of our rivalry with Rotherham United, when Miller-man Mullin took the wind from our sails moments after Mandeville converted his first penalty for Spireites in over 300 appearances.
Mandy has been on 12-yard duty before, a third of his 15 goals for Doncaster Rovers came from the spot. His last success was a late-ish equaliser at Field Mill on New Years’ Eve in 2016, a couple of weeks after his only miss at Plymouth Argyle. The Mansfield game ended 1-1 as the one at the New York Stadium should have.
On a day when Dolly Parton was remembered in Rotherham for her philanthropy in the town, United’s key-man was more like her pal Kenny Rogers. Fabio Tavares, who once scored against The Millers in the Championship for Coventry City, was undoubtedly the day’s Gambler, knowing when to hold it and when to run.
After a bright start from Chesterfield, Dilan Markanday carved out a great chance and put in a teasing cross before Tavares gambled on Ewen Otoo being able to hook the ball forwards, which he did successfully, enabling the Portuguese striker to run onto it, round Ryan Boot and roll the ball into the net. It was his first League goal for United and his first since scoring for Burton Albion against a Leyton Orient side that featured Jack Simpson at the end of last season.
A third game this season where Town have conceded first, all in the first half, all against teams in Arsenal style kits; all a bit repetitive!
It should have got worse just before the break when George McEachran clipped the heels of Tom Bradshaw, penalty, but Chesterfield are solid when at such a disadvantage of late. Ryan Boot, diving right, saved his third straight spot-kick, equalling Mick Leonard’s record, and it’s a fifth consecutive save for the team as Zach Hemming saved the two before those. It was Bradshaw’s first penalty in two years and his first miss in over 11 years, when ex-Spireite Scott Loach, with Yeovil Town then, denied the then Walsall player.
Tavares gambled a few more times in the second half and found himself in glorious scoring positions three times, but he couldn’t make them count, whilst Chesterfield failed to find any sort of flow, any sort of identity, making less than impressive decisions on far too many occasions.
The afternoon was summed up when Josh Koroma took too long to leave the field when being subbed, meaning replacement Tom Naylor had to wait for close on three minutes before he was allowed on; frustrating for sure.
Then, when hope was being all but extinguished, sub Fraser Bryden was clipped, another penalty, Mandeville made no mistake and, with time running out, a point looked certain, maybe even three as United had subbed to defend rather than go for the jugular. Added time would be substantial, turned out to be nine, after the treatment for IrishmenEmmanuel Adegboyega, from Dundalk and Portadown’s Lee Bonis, who clashed heads with some force. The Chesterfield man had his cut glued together before making way for Bryden.
With the visiting fans still celebrating, Kyle McFadzean was in possession on halfway, he squared the ball for Simpson, who slipped, in nipped Paul Mullin, whose last goal was in 2025 for Wigan against Tavares’ Burton, and Hollywood’s Ryan Reynolds’ favourite player ran forwards to win it for the hosts thanks to our profligacy.
Undoubtedly, Rotherham were the better side, but that makes it even worse. Town got lucky then got sloppy, and what should have been a celebrated point from a performance that could then be diced and sliced over a tea-time pint, ended up being an inglorious conversation about having the ball but not using it effectively, mustering up just two on-target efforts and winning no corners; very disappointing.
We need a full-on show of bouncebackability on Tuesdaywhen Gareth Ainsworth’s Gillingham drive up from Kent. They lost in the Carabao then lost 3-0 at home to Walsall ahead of draws with Fleetwood and Northampton, so two sides in desperate need of a victory, with Paul Cook’s side also desperately in need of a sumptuous flowing performance.
Phil’s Positive: First Bovril of the season, excellent chicken & mushroom pie, matchday programme was good.
Chesterfield (4-2-3-1 to start): Boot; Hutton, McFadzean,Simpson, Gordon (Owolabi-Belewu 81); Stirk, McEachran(Lamptey 81); Markanday (Aniskjo 81), Mandeville, Koroma(Naylor 72); Bonis (Bryden 59). Subs (not used); Pond, Eccleston.
Goals: Mandeville 87 pen (Chesterfield), Tavares 12, Mullin 90 (Rotherham)
Referee: Seb Stockbridge
Bookings: Buyabu, Cover (Rotherham)
Attendance: 9291 (2285 from Chesterfield)
Spireites TV Man of the Match: Ryan Boot (chosen by Ben Smith)
