Tooley’s Take

Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context

Chesterfield 3 Wealdstone 2 National League Game #11

Comfortable? I can’t really remember a 3-2 win, where Town have had to come from behind, that’s been more comfortable! But in this crazy campaign, that’s as comfortable an afternoon as we’ve had on Whitt Moor so far. AFC Fylde away is the only other afternoon where nails have remained relatively unharmed, and even then, there was a bit of late nibbling.

Wealdstone may be one of the few part-time set-ups in the NL, but they can play. I could build a more than decent argument that would put them very close to the top, if not THE top, of all the teams we’ve played to date. They can pass, have pace, have a more than capable keeper and will beat several of the so-called promotion favourites this season. They defended a lot, but they didn’t park the bus, Chesterfield’s own play, even when some fluidity was missing, was responsible for much of the action taking place in the Stones’ own half.

With Jeff King back in the fold, only his second home appearance, the other being the 3-2 against Hartlepool United, Chesterfield began on the front foot again, but not with quite the intensity of the front foot starts against FC Halifax Town and Ebbsfleet United.

King had a splendid free-kick superbly saved by the visiting keeper, who became almost as annoying as his terrible twins namesakes, Jed Ward (there are very few things in this world more irritating than them). He dived at Will Grigg’s feet, caught some corkers and positioned himself perfectly for another King blast, and all of that combined to ensure Kyle Smith’s goal, a back post roll-in after both yellow and blue shirts across the six missed the chance to clear or score, separated the sides at the break.

James Berry, who’d had a probing first-half run into the heart of the penalty area that he couldn’t quite finish, did get his first goal for the club early in the second half, converting from eight yards after some sloppy defending from Wealdstone.

The intensity of Town’s play showed a marked improvement from the start of the second period and the team kept that up, a second began to look likely, and it was a huge relief when goals two and three came in quick succession, Berry turning provider for back in attack Liam Mandeville, whose last goal was in the Fylde game, before a super solo effort from Michael Jacobs for his first in Blue, becoming the 12th different scorer in Chesterfield’s 11th game.

Six sides in the NL have only scored 12 or fewer to date. By the way, transpose the 29 goals scored in 11 over a 46-game season and it’s 121.

A comfortable position with 22 plus bits to play. Few moments of worry, but Wealdstone brought on fresh legs and a bit more pace, went a bit more direct, coupled with what looked like a modicum of complacency from the hosts in the very late stages, and the very last kick of the game closed the scoreline gap to just one.

The final peep from the referee’s whistle ahead of any restart was extremely welcome. The referee’s performance was also extremely welcome, though by all accounts (I’ve not heard the interview) that was not the view of the visitors.

You can never take anything for granted in this section, who’d have thought chasers Barnet and Solihull Moors would both only draw at home, who’d have thought fourth place would be occupied by second top scorers Gateshead, who’s leading marksman, with nine goals would be Marcus Dinanga?

Rochdale on Tuesday. Still knocking them in at 38 is Ian Henderson. He’s got five this season, but he specialises in scoring against Chesterfield. His last ten games against us for Dale have spawned eight goals, he’s not scored more than eight against any club! He scored Rochdale’s stoppage-time winner at Dorking Wanderers on Saturday. They were 1-0 down in the 89th minute but managed to grab a win, Jes Uchegbulam came on immediately after they’d fallen behind just before the hour-mark, so Chesterfield’s defence will have to work out a way of combating his pace and Henderson’s uncanny knack of piercing our rearguard.

The good news is, whatever happens, Chesterfield will be top of the table for next weekend’s game at Maidenhead United (aaargghh) with that five-point gap looking very handy. Barnet and Solihull both have two away games too, at York City & Kidderminster Harriers (Barnet), and Hartlepool United & York (Solihull).

Six on the bounce, nearly 56 years since a magnificent seven, plenty of positive selection dilemmas for the gaffer (how must Wealdstone have felt when Colclough, Quigley and Dobra queued up to come on), another 7,000-plus home attendance and a bit of a cushion at the top.

With almost a quarter of the season gone, even the most optimistic Spireite wouldn’t have dared to paint a picture as positive as this.

Phil’s Positive: Another come from behind victory that again shows that the current squad has oodles of spirit and an incredible never say die attitude. Berry and Jacobs, the 11th and 12th different scorers in just 11 games. Incredible.

Next Match: Away at Rochdale on September 26, a game that kicks off at 8pm and is on TNT Sports. 1866 Sports coverage starts at 7.30pm.

Chesterfield (4-2-3-1 to start): Tyrer; King, Williams, Grimes, Freckleton; Banks, Jones; Mandeville, Jacobs (Dobra 77), Berry(Colclough 71); Grigg (Quigley 71). Subs (not used): Palmer, Oldaker.