Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context
Chesterfield 2 Grimsby Town 1
League Two Game #5
What a match. Shows exactly what we’ve missed for six years. Playing long-term fierce rivals. Huge atmosphere. Two sides desperate to play football. Two sides desperate to win. Feisty, fast, ferocious football. Flipping fantastic.
I have to admit, at times, when the roar of the crowd reached decibel levels even higher than the new PA system, for me, apart from being exciting, it was emotional, almost ethereal. When teenage sub Harvey Araujo made one of his many critical interventions and the Grimsby fans notched up the volume to 11 as they fought valiantly to get back on level terms, and the Spireites fans roared out in appreciation of a stunning moment of play, a defender’s equivalent of a goal, I was welling up, there were high, low, fives and tens galore amongst those in blue on the pitch. It was special. You could feel it was special almost from the kick-off, and you could definitely feel it at the final whistle.
This 90-odd minutes was unlike any we’ve experienced in years. We’ve had big crowds, party atmospheres, bonkers games, but there’s been a dearth of home games with big crowds, two great teams, loads of noisy away fans, toe-to-toe contests all over the park, heroic performances from every player on both sides, nails nibbled to the quick and the ultimate, a Chesterfield win. It was so good, many of the players and officials received commemorative cards to celebrate their day.
With Chey Dunkley unlucky to miss out, in came Jamie Grimes for his first Football League appearance as a Chesterfield player and his first Football League appearance for anyone since May 5, 2018, for Cheltenham Town at Crewe Alexandra. That was the day the Spireites played their last EFL game for six years. Like Grimsby, Crewe were managed by David Artell, so surely that’s some sort of record, consecutive Football League games six years and four months apart against the same gaffer, and both games ended 2-1 to the home side!
Talking of unlucky to miss out, rinse and repeat, Port Vale this time. DJ Oldaker. Give over. Even the Sky TV commentator, on a close-up replay, said he could see no wrong.
Continuing on the unlucky theme, what’s all this hitting wood lark? Three last Saturday, Lewis Gordon and Will Grigg in this game. We were inches off making it 3-1 and saving at least some of our nails, but that would have (not that we thought it at the time) knocked a little bit of sheen off this victory. I didn’t think that at the time!
Early doors, the Mariners sailing relentlessly onto our patch of grass. They arrived with a stinking away record, but why? Their game was good, it was positive, it was a real tester for the holding midfielders and back line, and the defence received their reward when James Berry was fouled out wide and converted the angled free-kick himself. Against the run of play? Yup. But so was Swindon’s goal, so was Salford’s goal and when we had all the run of play at Priestfield, we didn’t score. Due one. Low and hard, beyond the one brick wall and through the keeper at the near post.
The goals lifted the hosts, and the contest in terms of possession and territory, evened up, and we’d have all taken 1-0 at half-time based on what we’d witnessed. Many years ago, when I wrote reports for Town games for The Star, we had to point out a ‘Turning Point’. In this game, that would have been an easy decision. Stoppage time, Grigg trying to wriggle in, Mariners man Rodgers hesitates when he could have cleared and in ghosts Dilan Markanday to bang in from six yards to open up an unexpected but incredibly important gap. A first Chesterfield goal for the wide man, I feel it won’t be the last. Massive relief.
That turning point was validated when Swindon’s opening day equaliser was re-lived, Charles Vernam running at the heart of the home rearguard and unleashing a scorcher. Good job that 45+2 went in.
With DJ’s surprise red card meaning a half-hour or so spell short-handed for Paul Cook’s side, the gaffer made a few changes, fresh legs, and in particular, young guns Araujo and Metcalfe showed just why they’ve been drafted into the squad. Much promise on display.
Of the starters, it would be unfair to leave anyone out of a list of back-slapping praise, but Ryan Boot was faultless and Devan Tanton incredible for such an inexperienced player whilst Armando Dobra showed the incredible spirit that Cook teams seem synonymous with.
More of the same next week? Fierce and feisty are staples at Vale Park, but the Valiants have only won once at home in 2024, back in March in a 2-0 win over a Bristol Rovers side that featured Lewis Gordon. That said, they won 4-1 at Newport County on Saturday (County’s two red cards both came with the score at 4-1) and they’ve also won away at Salford City twice this season, one league, one BSM Trophy, so the relegated side will be in good shape. They have great players like Jayden Stockley, Lorent Tolaj and Jesse Debrah so Darren Moore’s side are bound to provide a major test.
We all have to desperately wait to see how the manager adjusts for the Oldaker absence. Dunkley in with Naylor in midfield? Metcalfe starting? The permutations are plentiful, which is good news, and the anticipation is sky-high with what’s bound to be another great away following for what will be the 100th competitive meeting between the two old rivals (Town 43-34 up on wins).
Last Chesterfield player to score the winner at Vale Park back in 2014? Gary Roberts, best send him a ten-year anniversary card. On reflection, no need to bother, he’s already received one!
Phil’s Positive: Let’s take a retrospective positive today and remind ourselves just how good National League referees were. One other BIG positive, what an occasion, what a match, the first BIG reminder that we’re back.
Next Match: Port Vale (A), Saturday, September 14, EFL2, KO 3pm. Full Commentary for subscribers on the new commentary platform (find details on Chesterfield FC website). Build-up from 2pm, half-time and post-match remains on the 1866 Sport App.
Chesterfield (4-2-3-1 to start): Boot; Tanton (Daley-Campbell 89), Naylor, Grimes, Gordon; Banks (Metcalfe 70), Oldaker; Markanday (Araujo 70), Dobra (Jacobs 82), Berry (Mandeville 70); Grigg. Subs (not used): Thompson, Drummond.
Goals: Berry 28, Markanday 45+2 (Chesterfield), Vernam 50 (Grimsby)
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
Bookings: Grimes, Grigg (Chesterfield), Vernam, Rose, Warren, Carson (Grimsby)
Red Card: Oldaker 66 mins (two yellows)
Technical Area Bookings: Paul Cook, Gary Roberts (Chesterfield), David Artell, Shaun Pearson (Grimsby)
Attendance: 9,325 (995 from Grimsby)
Banner Jones 1866 Sport Man of the Match: Armando Dobra (chosen by Jamie Hewitt)
