Spireites win at Newport

Two late Will Grigg goals capped off a brilliant 3-0 away victory for the Spireites against Newport County.

Dilan Markanday opened the scoring in the first 45 seconds before Grigg added two more late goals for a fantastic win in South Wales.

Paul Cook made two changes from last Saturday’s draw against Notts County with Tyrone Williams and Ryan Colclough replacing Tom Naylor and James Berry.

Within the first minute, the Blues were one-goal to the good. A long ball was flicked on by Paddy Madden, goalkeeper Nick Townsend was dispossessed by Markanday and the winger rolled the ball into an empty net.

Jenson Metcalfe almost doubled the lead by the 20th minute when his curler from the edge of the area whistled past the crossbar.

The first half was one of very few chances with little fouls breaking up the pattern of play.

Max Thompson was not particularly troubled in the Chesterfield goal; a Kieron Evans effort was the hosts’ only shot on target.

The Spireites started the second half brightly, winning a free-kick just outside the penalty area – Oldaker’s attempt unfortunately cleared the crossbar.

Around the hour-mark, Newport started to gain a foothold in the game. Substitute Kyle Hudlin looked certain to tap home at the back post from Noah Mawene’s low cross, but Lewis Gordon was there to deflect the ball behind the goal.

A minute later, a combination of Liam Mandeville and Harvey Araujo produced a brilliant last-stitch challenge to deny Courtney Baker-Richardson.

Hudlin, who proved to be a handful after coming on, almost caught Thompson out with a wayward cross that struck the far post.

Despite being on the back foot, the Spireites would get the next crucial goal. Markanday slipped in Ollie Banks down the right and his low cross was turned home by fellow substitute Grigg.

Three minutes later, Banks once again found Grigg with a low ball. The striker managed to scoop the ball over Nick Townsend, whilst on the floor, to get his second of the game.

The last minutes of the game were controlled by Chesterfield with a third win recorded on the road this season.

Chesterfield: Thompson, Mandeville (Daley-Campbell 67), Williams ©️ (Grimes 75), Araujo, Gordon, Metcalfe, Oldaker, Markanday, Dobra (Banks 75), Colclough (Jacobs 67), Madden (Grigg 70)

Unused Substitutes: Rinaldo, Berry.