Today’s game at AFC Wimbledon finished in a goal-less draw.
Wimbledon, the team with the meanest defence in the division, didn’t concede but neither did Chesterfield score. A game that, at the interval, looked nicely poised for second-half action, failed to excite as the game drifted to a stalemate.
Wimbledon grew into the game and had the best chances but Chesterfield battled well to grab a point.
Chesterfield arrived for their first league visit to the new Plough Lane Stadium – or The Cherry Red Records Stadium, to give it its sponsored title, which is sited just 200 yards from Wimbledon’s original spiritual home.They’d already tasted victory here; in November 2022 when both Jeff King and Armando Dobra scored to seal an impressive victory in round two of the FA Cup.
The previous league clash between the two sides was last December when Dobra scored the only goal of the game at the SMH to seal the three points and clinch the fourth win on the bounce for the Spireites.
Chesterfield came into the game on the back of a 3-0 win over Fleetwood Town, the previous Saturday, which moved them to ninth place and just four points off a play-off spot. Both teams needed the points but prior to kick-off the Dons sat in fifth place, seven points better off and with the best goal difference in the division; however the Spireites edge it in terms of current form and the Dons have tasted defeat twice in their last five outings at home.
Paul Cook made four changes from last weekend’s starting XI as the injured Dobra, Lewis Gordon, Ryan Colclough and Will Grigg made way for Harvey Araujo, Tom Naylor, Ollie Banks and Bim Pepple.
The Spireites kicked off defending the end housing their noisy travelling support; they immediately pushed forward and controlled the opening exchanges.
The Dons won a free-kick 25 yards out, wide-right. James Tilley’s ball in was defended well but a follow-up move involving Josh Neufville and Callum Maycock ended with Tilley heading wide of Ryan Boot’s right post from Maycock’s cross.
Two minutes later Omar Bugiel flicked on for Matty Stevens; he was unable to control and hit wide.
From the re-start Michael Olakigbe showed his speed down the left and won a corner ; from the dead ball kick there were several balls into the area that just wouldn’t bounce favourably. The Spireites continued to pressure and went close after Liam Mandeville got his head to a great Olakigbe cross from the left, sadly it flew wide of Owen Goodman’s left upright.
A huge miss from the home side at the half-way point after Neufville crossed from the right, Stevens dummied and left the shot for Tilley who had a clear sight of goal. He hit wide when he should have done better.
A few minutes later Kelly and Bugiel traded passes in the area with the final hit coming from Kelly who struck straight at Boot from close range.
Ollie Banks was fouled 15 yards into the home half. The free-kick found Olakigbe on the left but his ball into the area drifted wide.
With ten minutes to the break, Banks took a knock, looked likely to be replaced but after lengthy treatment continued. Eight minutes later the knock was still causing problems and Paddy Madden took over from Banks; he was soon in action as he hooked a loose ball in the area clear.
Three minutes were added but little action took place as both teams looked forward to half-time instructions; in Chesterfield’s case how to convert their possession into greater threat.
Wimbledon made their first change at the start of the second half as Sam Hutchinson took over from captain Ryan Johnson.
Lots of possession again for the Spireites in the second half but the final balls lacked quality as the home side cleared.
A great cross-field ball from Pepple found Olakigbe whose run and shot won a corner; the final hit came from Ashley Palmer who hit wide.
On the hour-mark, Paul Cook made a double change as Gordon and Colclough swapped with Araujo and Pepple.
Olakigbe continued to make strong runs down the left but his team mates were unable to capitalise on his balls into the box.
It was end-to-end stuff but whenever The Dons threatened John Fleck was there to sweep up the danger.
Colclough appeared to be brought down on the edge of the area but referee Carl Brook disagreed. Cook wasn’t happy and showed his displeasure again moments later, earning a yellow card in the process.
In the 81st minute Grigg joined the action taking from Olakigbe; moments later Ryan Boot pulled off a stunning finger-tip save from substitute Osman Foyo’s hooked shot.
The Spireites won a corner in the last minute. Mandeville’s kick was met by Palmer at the far post but his header was held well.
Four added minutes were awarded but neither side could fashion a clear opening as the game drifted to a draw.
Spireites: Boot, Mandeville, Palmer, McFadzean, Araujo (Gordon 61), Fleck, Metcalfe, Naylor, Banks (Madden 43), Pepple (Colclough 61), Olakigbe (Grigg 81)
Unused subs: Thompson, .
Attendance: 8,506 (908 away)
Referee: Carl Brook
