Spireites bow out of FA Cup

Former Chesterfield boss Gary Caldwell guided his Exeter City team to a place in the third round of the FA Cup after a dominant performance produced a deserved 2-0 win over the Spireites, who never really got into their stride.

Injuries in the warm-up and during the game made Chesterfield’s task harder than it already was but they were up against an Exeter side who were a constant threat and always looked determined to make the Spireites’ longest ever FA Cup trip an unhappy one.

The Spireites, historically, have held the upper hand in the league clashes between the two sides but it was honours even last time out as both sides won their home game in the 2017/18 fixtures; however this encounter was the first time the clubs have met in a Cup match.

The Grecians went into the tie without a win, or a goal, in their previous three games but three wins and nine goals were notched in the previous three fixtures.

Paul Cook chose to make six changes to the starting line-up from opening XI in the previous weekend’s late home win over Barrow. In came Max Thompson, Ryheem Sheckleford, Branden Horton, Jamie Grimes, Michael Jacobs and Ryan Colclough as Ryan Boot, Harvey Araujo, Liam Mandeville, Lewis Gordon, Dilan Markanday and Devon Tanton made way.

Or at least that’s how it should have started but Paddy Madden picked up a knock in the warm-up and Will Grigg took over in the starting line-up.

It had rained intermittently for the previous 24 hours in Exeter and the pitch was soft as the game started in further drizzle. The Spireites kicked off defending the end that housed their impressive, noisy following.

The game sprang to life in the fourth minute as Jack Aitchison tried his luck with a strong first-time hit from just inside the area; Thompson got down well to palm to safety.

Millenic Alli showed his pace down the left flank with two very positive runs and combined with Josh Magennis, who a few minutes later had a goal-bound effort cleared from the game’s first corner from the right.

At this stage it was all Exeter and Finland international Ilmari Niskanen was next to test the Chesterfield defence as he bore down on goal but Grimes and Thompson covered well.

Little by little the Spireites were inching their way back into the game with a couple of probing moves forward. Tom Naylor won a corner on the right that brought only more possession but no direct threat.

Alli again danced down the left and this time provided for Ryan Woods, who hit well from 15 yards and brought an alert save from Thompson.

Jacobs had looked to be struggling and finally had to accept that he should take no further part as Armando Dobra took over in the 34th minute and made an immediate strong mazy run before being dispossessed.

From the break Alli continued to torment and set up Aitchison with another opportunity that was well held by Thompson.

Four minutes were added at the end of the first half; sadly City took the lead in the second of those minutes. A fantastic tackle by Sheckleford gave Exeter a corner on the left. Woods took the kick and found the head of the unmarked Tristan Crama (45+2) who headed coolly home into the top right. Thompson looked to have been held during the corner but the referee disagreed.

On the balance of play, City warranted the advantage but the Spireites  will have been disappointed not to have reached the interval level after battling hard throughout

The Spireites made a second change at the start  of the second half; Ollie Banks took over from Naylor.

Chesterfield immediately took the initiative and Colclough was clattered to the floor just outside the area; the challenge earned Ed Francis the game’s first yellow card, sadly the free-kick from Darren Oldaker ended safely in the arms of the home keeper, Joe Whitworth.

Exeter were soon back on the offensive and Magennis was thwarted by a super close save from Thompson.

Just before the hour-mark, City had a good claim for a penalty when Grimes pushed the clear-through Niskanen, instead they gained only a corner that was handled well.

Dobra and Colclough combined well in a promising move and moments later Colclough, just outside the area, saw an opening and hit narrowly wide of the left upright.

Cook made his third change after 67 minutes when Mandeville took over from James Berry. Two minutes later, City extended their lead after Niskanen (69) made a great run into the box down the right and squared the ball into the middle, giving Magennis the easiest of opportunities to touch home.

Two more Chesterfield changes followed the City goal as Cook looked to find a spark. Liam Jessop and Gordon replaced Sheckleford and Horton.

Dobra, with seven minutes remaining, almost got the Spireites back in contention; he jinked into the box and hit on the ground towards goal. Whitworth claimed easily but the effort had needed some lift if it was ever going to test the keeper.

Six minutes additional time was awarded and substitute Jay Bird almost added to City’s scoreline in the first of those six; he ran strongly for 30 yards before hitting strongly but wide of Thompson’s left upright.

Neither side fashioned another clear opening as City saw the game out safely.