Tooley’s Take

Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context

Chesterfield 6 Southport 1 Isuzu FA Trophy Third Round

I went to this game anticipating (and even secretly hoping for) a first hurdle exit from the Trophy. Other more important things cooking.

I returned home with a warm glow of satisfaction after seeing six academy prospects play their hearts out, marvelling at the twists and turns of Harley Curtis (21), purring over 20-year-old Miguel Freckleton’s mature performance at left centre-back and wondering just how the 22-year-old veteran James Berry somehow squeezed through a yellow brick wall to score his goal.

I was blown away by the maturity on display and my mindset had completely changed from being a devout Chexit supporter to being a firm remainer, with the hope that youth gets its head in the fourth round next month. I want to see more from these lads.

Hats off to King, Jacobs, Quigley, Sheckleford and Boot for guiding these relatively inexperienced players through, particularly having fallen behind early on to a goal from 32-year-old ex-Barrow, Stockport, Sutton and Port Vale striker Richie Bennett, who was in an experienced side (average age almost 26), led by skipper David Morgan, who’s been playing in League One with Accrington Stanley for the last three seasons. The Sandgrounders were far from a push-over sort of team.

Michael Jacobs levelled from a teasing ball in from the Assist King, but it was a turn and pass from Curtis that ensured the visiting defence was opened up, and Curtis ended a fantastic personal first-half with a goal of his own.

Quigley and Jacobs off at the break, Gibraltar U21 international winger Liam Jessop (18) and striker Tom Marshall (20) came on to join 20-year-old Australian Ryley D’Sena, Jay Abudu (17), born in Ghana and formerly at Sheffield United, plus Sam Hooper (18), taking the average age of the 11 players that started the second half for the Spireites to just under 22, four years less than Southport’s average.

Berry’s run through a solid wall to make it 3-1 was followed by Town’s final change, 18-year-old Ali Mohiuddin coming on for the third goalscorer, making it a majority of academy players on the park for the hosts. Southport’s three subs were aged 30, 25 and 19, with the teenager in that trio, Mikey O’Neill, having already made 19 senior appearances for Preston and Grimsby, so not quite as raw as the Spireites replacements.

Step up Jessop. It was a cross (he said not) from the former FC Bruno’s Magpies player, but a very deliberate second a couple of minutes later, helped by great play from Marshall, made it 5-1, whilst former Hertford Town U19 man Mohiuddin’s late 20-yarder was probably the only concession keeper Renshaw will have felt he could have done better with.

At the time, it felt like the 2-1 half-time lead with the two changes would probably not be enough. What do I know? The play after the break was surreal, bordering on the magical, with Town’s youngsters dominating their much more experienced opponents and showing the ruthless streak that Paul Cook’s National League team has developed this season.

Of course there were mistakes, perfection never happens in football, but with the scratch second-half side, you couldn’t have asked for or expected more. It was a perfect experience to watch the fearlessness of youth being guided by arm-round more experienced pros as they combined to put on a phenomenal performance.

When Southport manager Jim Bentley looks back at and analyses the second-half side his team opposed, and were dominated by, winning the period 4-0, he’ll no doubt be furious. It shouldn’t have been that straightforward for the Spireites, but their enthusiasm and endeavour carried them through to a famous victory and an even more illustrious team performance.

I’d been under the weather for three days and was seriously considering not going, but knowing there’d be some youngsters involved was the catalyst to drag me out of bed. It was the best tonic I could have had.

Immodium may have helped stop the flow, but Neil Cluxton’s academy were responsible for opening the floodgates! Non-stop shots and a far from bog-standard show.

Tricky away games for the top three next week. Third-placed Barnet go to Ebbsfleet United, second in the table Bromley travel to Southend United whilst PC’s lads are at inconsistent Hartlepool United, five wins and five defeats plus a draw in their home NL games to date.

It will be Chesterfield’s first meeting with a side we’ve already played this season. Pools started quickly to lead 2-0 at the SMH Group Stadium on August Bank Holiday before Tom Naylor scored a last-gasp winner to cap a fantastic second half.

Anthony Mancini was instrumental in Hartlepool’s strong start, scoring the second, but he went off injured on 20 minutes and hasn’t played since. Ex-Spireite Mani Dieseruvwe scored the opener and now has 15 for the season, two coming this weekend in their come from behind (with a strong team) 5-1 win at City of Liverpool, meaning he’s scored nine in nine.

But just eight points earned in their last 11 NL games means that a Chesterfield team that’s at the top of their game should be confident of earning maximum points at Victoria Park. It’s ten seasons since Town last won there, earning three points that contributed to winning the L2 title under Paul Cook. Same again please.

Phil’s Positive: Three of the six goals scored when the Spireites had SIX academy players on the park with one other notched with five youngsters in the mix. Remarkable.

Next Match: Back to NL action and a tricky trip to Hartlepool United on Saturday, December 16 (wrap up warm!) Kick-off is at 3pm with 1866 Sport on air from 2pm.

Chesterfield (4-2-3-1 to start): Boot; King, D’Sena, Freckleton, Sheckleford; Hooper, Abudu; Jacobs (Jessop 46), Curtis, Berry (Mohiuddin 62); Quigley (Marshall 46). Subs (not used): Tyrer, Mandeville, Dobra, Horton.