Chesterfield will rue all their missed opportunities in today’s 1-0 loss as Oldham Athletic took all three points back home thanks to Devarn Green’s early goal.
Manager Paul Cook made five changes from Tuesday’s 1-1 draw against Wealdstone. Jeff King, Tyrone Williams, Bailey Clements, Ollie Banks and Paul McCallum all made their way into the starting line-up.
The Spireites put pressure on Oldham from the get go and nearly went ahead after a wonderful back post cross from Clements found McCallum who headed just wide of the post in the opening exchanges.
The exciting start to the game continued as Green put Oldham ahead in the sixth minute thanks to a well-taken finish past Ross Fitzsimons into the bottom corner.
After falling behind, the Spireites started to get a hold on the game with their possession being awarded with a number of corners. The best set piece chance fell to captain Jamie Grimes who headed over within a quarter of an hour.
Quick feet by Darren Oldaker on the edge of the box were rewarded with a free-kick just outside the area. The resulting free kick was driven powerfully against the wall by King.
Chesterfield’s best opportunity of the first half fell to Ryan Colclough who fired over from approximately seven yards out after great dribbling work by Banks down the right hand side.
In the 24th minute Colclough delivered a cross to the back post to Clements whose diving header went agonisingly wide of the near post.
Just before half-time McCallum sent Liam Mandeville through on goal whose powerful strike was well saved by Dorman down to his right before Banks could not get a shot off on the rebound.
Banks had a great opportunity one minute until the break, however his sliding effort inside the six-yard box was just millimetres away from tucking into the near post and went wide.
The Spireites continued their dominance into the second half with Banks finding space just inside the box and curling a right footed effort just over the bar after the break.
Right-back King continued to push further up the pitch in the second period and had a powerful shot well held by Norman.
Soon after, Clements hung up a delivery into the box where Mccallum rose highest to nod down into the goalkeeper’s gloves.
McCallum’s aerial ability continued to be a threat as in the 65th minute he glanced Colclough’s cross towards the bottom left corner where Norman made the save of the game.
Cook looked to the bench for inspiration with Danny Rowe replacing Mike Jones in the 75th minute.
Rowe nearly made the instant impact as his shot towards the bottom corner was once again well saved by Norman.
The Spireites could not capitalise on their dominance throughout as the last quarter of an hour of the game went by with few clear-cut opportunities for either side.
Chesterfield: Fitzsimons, Grimes ©, Mandeville, Colclough (Uchegbulam, 84 ), Williams, McCallum, King, Oldaker, Banks, Clements, Jones (Rowe, 75)
Unused subs: Akinola, Maguire, Quigley
