Academy: weekly round-up

With so many academy games happening during the week, it can be difficult to keep track of how well the teams are doing.

This article provides an easy rundown of the results for you to follow and keep track of all the Chesterfield teams.

U7s

A good display by Chesterfield’s U7s as they welcomed Hasland in their NDFYL game, with plenty of fine performances and the addition of a clean sheet.

U10s

Chesterfield U10s put on a performance to be proud of as they took on Qualitas in the JPL. Some quality football on show against tough opposition.

U11s

An exciting match-up between the best two teams in the JPL North-East and Yorkshire Premier League, as Chesterfield U11s took on UFCA/Leeds. 

It was a close, hard-fought game, with good performances all round.

U12s

A tightly contested affair saw Chesterfield U12s draw 1-1 to Forza Academy in the JPL. 

The young Spireites took control of the game but wasted their goalscoring opportunities. Forza took advantage by scoring with 20 minutes left on the clock.

Chesterfield fought back well to equalise through Todd in the dying minutes of the game to salvage a point. 

Although looking like the stronger team in the majority of the game, Chesterfield were unlucky to take away a point.

U13s 

Game One

Despite a depleted squad, Chesterfield Midland U13s took on Stoke in their JPL match-up and managed to bring home a convincing win – their second 5-1 victory in a row.

With only one outfield substitute and an unwell player, the odds were stacked against the young Spireites. After a positive chat with the coach before kick-off, the team were in high spirits.

A good attacking performance saw Bailey open the scoring at the back post after great build-up play between King and Charles, with Jenkins and Davies registering a goal each, too. Russel bagging a brace to complete the win. 

Chesterfield were unable to keep Stoke from scoring but dominated throughout the match and took their chances well.

Game Two

Chesterfield Yorkshire U13s game was one to forget.

A lacklustre performance from the young Spireites saw them fall to a 5-0 defeat against South Shields. 

The coach explained what went wrong, and what the team took from their loss: “We came up against a very good South Shields team.

“We started the game with a midfield block and the lads were very disciplined in their roles, defending the box very well.

“South Shields played some great football and were dangerous in wide areas, which caused us a lot of problems.

“Ultimately, we struggled to transition and couldn’t keep the ball due to their quality, intensity and our decision making. This meant we couldn’t get our full backs high enough, which is where we’ve had a lot of success from recently.

“We conceded from two set-plays and a penalty but defended from open play quite well.

“Changing shape in the second half gave us more success going forward and we started creating more opportunities, with our players being much braver on the ball.

“We have no excuses though. We lost to the better team on the day; they deserved the victory.”

U14s

Chesterfield U14s played out a difficult game against Solihull, coming away with a 4-1 loss under tough circumstances.

With several players missing and many out of position, Chesterfield put everything into the game and were unlucky in many moments.

The young Spireites did well to keep Solihull out but conceded just before the half-time break.

Norris equalised early into the second half to give Chesterfield hope of an unlikely result against a very tough opposition. 

However, the depth in players started to show with Solihull adding three goals to put Chesterfield out of view.

A special mention was given to MOTM Martins, who came on with a positive attitude, pushing the Spireites forward, moving the ball quickly and finding pockets of space in midfield and attack.

U15s

Game One

Chesterfield U15s travelled to the Roses Sports Ground as they battled it out against Gainsborough. The young Spireites were victorious with a 6-1 win on the road.

Coye opened the scoring after six minutes with a wonderful side-foot volley. The Spireite grabbed his, and Chesterfield’s, second on the day after 12 minutes with another volley.

Covil added a third after a pinpoint throughball by Briscoe left him one-on-one with the Stourbridge goalkeeper.

Only two minutes later, Chesterfield were pegged back as a mix-up at the back benefited the home side. A communication error between centre-back and goalkeeper saw a clearance closed down by the opposition striker, who bundled the ball into an empty net.

That was the main action from the first half, with the rest full of half-chances. 

McGawn got Chesterfield going again three minutes after the restart. Bates rolled the ball toward McGawn before he smashed an effort from 25 yards, clipping the crossbar as it rocketed in.

Provider-turned-goalscorer Bates grabbed a goal on the hour mark as Covil handed the player the assist, before Covil scored for his brace, with Brassey’s second assist of the match.

Dominating from start to finish, Chesterfield ended the game 6-1 winners. Landon, Schofield and Briscoe were all awarded the Man of the Match award, with all players performing well.

Game Two

Chesterfield Midlands U15s fell to defeat against Stourbridge in the JPL. The young Spireites suffered a 7-1 loss, with Cancello’s goal that of a consolation. 

Four of Stourbridge’s goals were gifts, leaving Chesterfield with no chance of a comeback.

The opposition handled the ball well under pressure and had a good work rate. Chesterfield couldn’t keep up.

Cancello was the shining light in a bad display – his fourth goal in four games.

U19s

Game One

A hat-trick from Waite and an O’Connor free-kick helped Chesterfield U19s overcome Halifax Town in the NLFA North Division, as the Spireites look to push towards the top of the league.

Waite opened the scoring in the 10th minute, slotting home from close range into the Halifax keeper’s corner.

O’Connor’s superb free-kick just after the 30-minute mark was sandwiched by two Waite goals, as the forward headed home a pin-point cross from Blakeley with five minutes of the first half left to play.

Seven minutes after the restart, Waite bagged his hat-trick. The striker outpaced the Halifax defence, before rounding the keeper to slot into an empty net.

Game, set, match?

Halifax pulled a goal back with ten minutes left to play from a well-struck free-kick, but this turned out to only be a consolation goal for the home side.

Hat-trick hero Waite was given the MOTM award for his efforts against Halifax in the National League U19 Alliance League.

Chesterfield now sit nine points off top spot Solihull Moors, but lack in goal difference compared to the three teams above them.

Game Two

A strong half performance from Chesterfield U19s saw the young Spireites take a healthy 2-0 lead into half-time against AFC Rushden & Diamonds. 

Torres added to his goal tally for the season before Mawer added another to put Chesterfield in control.

Chesterfield carried their momentum into the second half, with Torres bagging another goal for his brace. 

With Grantham Town’s game postponed, Chesterfield Blues were able to create a gap in between first and second-placed Grantham with their sixth win of the season and push forward in their title charge.