Tooley’s Take

Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context  

AFC Wimbledon 0 Chesterfield 2

Emirates FA Cup Second Round

Why on earth are there not more promotion opportunities from the National League to League Two? Town’s win over promotion-chasing Northampton Town showed that the quality gap is minimal, in fairness, the National League is only just a bit better than EFL2! And that view was more than reinforced as Paul Cook’s side dominated from first whistle to last at the Dons’ shiny new-ish home. 

Of course, AFC Wimbledon created chances, Liam Mandeville hooked one off the line at 0-0 and Harry Pell missed a sitter when his side were one down, but apart from a far post catch from a right wing cross, Ross Fitzsimons was redundant again. But they were at home, they were unbeaten in ten, their starting XI showed just one change from the side that won 2-0 at Tranmere Rovers last Saturday. They should have created chances, but they created far fewer than the average NL team do. Exemplary defending. 

Joe Quigley forced a fine save from Nik Tzanev before he assisted Armando Dobra’s goal just before the interval. The Albanian Arrow left Ogundere flat on his back, ten yards inside the Chesterfield half, he darted forwards to the box-edge, a fine interchange with big Joe, and the rising shot from close to the penalty spot was unstoppable. A fine goal. 

Cross or shot? If it was a cross, it was a shocker, nowhere near a green shirt, if it was a shot, King Jeff can claim another Goal of the Season contender (as was Dobs’ goal). My ‘short list’ of possible contenders is now 16 goals long, we’ll have to have a knock-out competition to compile the short-list! 

The only downside was the head injury to Tyrone Williams, purely accidental, but he was clearly not right and withdrawing him to give Ash Palmer a debut was the only choice available. The former two-time Stockport County champion set about his task well, not a foot put wrong, and he and the skipper linked up well. He looks a great addition to the squad. 

A sixth win on the bounce, the first since the last season at Saltergate during which we beat a Bury side that featured Magnificent Mike and we’re in the FA Cup third round in consecutive seasons for the first time in 53 years. We’ve won in three straight rounds (by starting in qualifiers) two seasons on the trot for the first time in over 100 years and club historian Stuart Basson points out that Fitz’s three straight Cup clean sheets has only ever been matched by Messrs Lee and Mercer whilst Dobs has scored in three straight Cup ties in the same season for the first time in over 60 years. It was also our first away win at either AFC Wimbledon or the original Crazy Gang and five games unchanged. Heaven!

The 701 travelling fans were superb too. Loud and proud, if we take that many to South West London, how many will go to Halifax next weekend? Best get your tickets in early to see if we can pull off a Brynner, McQueen, Bronson, Vaughn, Coburn, Dexter & Buchholtz (I’m an original, not a Denzel, Ethan & Chris type). It would be magnificent. 

Whilst the performance on the park was fantastic, it was equally delightful to witness the social media love for my 1866 Sport co-commentator Nathan Smith. The 2013/14 championship winner turned up for duty in his match shirt from that season and with his winners’ medal round his neck! The listeners loved him, even Jamie Hewitt gave him a virtual pat on the back! Can’t say that he passed his homework test though. Set out to travel on the train on a day the trains were on strike. Schoolboy error, Nathan. 

Back to stats, we need to break Halifax’s in-out rhythm next weekend. Their last ten games have seen these results: WDWLWLWDWL, so winning every other game needs to stop. All of those games have been tight with Chris Millington’s men scoring 11 in that time and conceding nine, so generally games of few goals. The Shaymen’s top scorer, with seven, is a man Paul Cook signed for Town, Manny Dieseruvwe, whilst two other summer signings are Ash Palmer’s fellow Hatters champions Jordan Keane and Sam Minihan, whilst rather bizarrely, star defender Nathan Clarke, who retired in the summer, has been replaced by his brother Tom, recruited from Fleetwood Town. 

Ball #61 for Monday evening’s draw. Who do you want? West Ham United away for me please. I completed my 92 Football League grounds way back in 1986, Highbury was my final one (Arsenal, not the Cod-based outpost), but with the phalanx of new grounds since, The London Stadium is my only one missing for re-completing a full set. 

Phil’s Positive: Round three again, clean sheet again, no bookings again, EFL2 team beaten again. 

The Spireites’ next game is on Saturday, December 3 at FC Halifax Town, don’t forget it’s a 12.30 kick-off. If you’re not able to get, 1866 Sport will bring you full coverage. 

Chesterfield (4-1-4-1 to start): Fitzsimons; King, Williams (Palmer 35), Grimes, Clements; Jones; Mandeville, Oldaker, Whelan (Akinola 78), Dobra (Uchegbulam 78); Quigley (Tshimanga 85). Subs (not used): Chadwick, Maguire, Horton, Sheckleford, Asante. 

Goals: Dobra 44, King 76 (Chesterfield)

Referee: David Rock

Bookings: Kalambayi, Chislett, Bendle, Ogundere (AFC Wimbledon)

Attendance: 4,176 (701 from Chesterfield)

Netcoms IT 1866 Sport Man of the Match: Jeff King (chosen by Nathan Smith)