Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context
Chesterfield 1 Barrow 0
League Two Game #17
Since the Spireites last beat the Bluebirds (more like wasps on the day), England have become Football world champions and the town of Barrow-in-Furness has launched around 30 submarines. And in windy and rainy conditions, thanks to Storm Bert, there was a moment when home supporters had that sinking feeling. Big boot by the visiting keeper, our Boot lost the flight of the ball in the floodlights, the recalled Williams and Araujo (aka Naylor in the middle) lost Dallas whose flick dawdled in slo-mo towards the intended target and one of our ‘even itself out’ bits of luck was called on. Nil-nil. Phew.
In the second half, the never-fall-in-love with a loanee Dallas swung and missed from a great position, another even-up job, but the Barrow striker was outshone on the day by the never-fall-in-love with a loanee Dilan Markanday. The Blackburn man (called by the commentator on the highlights a ‘former Blackburn’ man…. mmm, has he met a man with a dog in an underground car park or big Tesco?) was imperious throughout. Unplayable at times, a real joy to watch.
Even in a first half devoid of keeper saves, his work in attacking midfield and his delivery into the box was well worth the admission fee alone. In the first 20 minutes or so, he was competing with James Berry to see who could deliver the impossible most often, but when Berry clattered into keeper Paul Farman, a veteran of almost 600 senior games, that one-on-one 50/50 clash seemed to slow him up a tad, enabling Dilan to become the fast-feet king of the day.
Goal-less at the break, some harsh analysis from supporters as Paul Cook’s side had got the ball positively into the box a fair few times but just couldn’t get on the end of it. In contrast, Barrow got the ball into the box plenty of times, but their deliveries never looked particularly threatening and Boot had some useful catching practice.
Just before the interval, Araujo, with a harsh yellow to his name from early on, committed a foul on the box-edge, so the gaffer felt it wise to replace him with the skipper. Turned out to be a great call. Jamie soon crunched into ‘Dallo’ to announce his arrival, no foul given, post-match confession from the #5 indicated it ‘probably was’.
Just one Chesterfield shot in the first half, but they started racking up in the second whilst Barrow’s attacking threat began to dwindle and the balance of probability of a win began to firmly move in the direction of the home side. But the goal wouldn’t come. Markanday came closest, his wonderful steal, run and shot was tipped onto the bar by Farman, great play, top save. That moment revved up the crowd and, I remember saying on commentary with about five minutes left, ‘next goal wins it’ as it always felt like there would be one.
For me, the assist should be Armando Dobra’s, not Ryan Colclough’s! ‘Dobs’ hates not playing. He’s desperate to not only play every minute of every game, but he wants to be involved, on or around the ball, for every minute of every game. He was told to get ready to come off the bench, got kitted up, kept warm, but no fourth official’s board. Run a bit more on the touchline. Wait a bit longer. Then worst case scenario. Having been ready for five minutes, changes about to be made, but ‘Coco’ and Grigg on, and they’d not been ready for more than30 seconds! Red mist!
Ten minutes later, that’s a total of 15 minutes game ready on the touchline, Dobra’s on. ‘Give me the ball’ said his body language, ‘If you don’t I’m coming to fetch it.’ And he did, time and again, until his burst forwards won a late right-sided corner, delivered, Tyrone forces another tip onto the bar save, corner on the left. Colclough kicks, skipper sends the home support into delirium, decent chest slide too. Game won and Chesterfield become the first EFL2 side to reach 30 goals this season.
My thoughts (weirdo that I am) back on Barrow submarines. Amongst those launched since Chesterfield’s last win against the Bluebirds in 1965 were HMS Superb, HMS Splendid, HMS Tireless, HMS Talent and HMS Triumph, all perfect adjectives to sum up the final whistle feelings (and the winner scored by a sub). The polar opposite of that sinking feeling, especially when on the first look at the table, that magical seventh spot was occupied.
For your information, that ’65 win included four Spireites legends: Blakey, Holmes, Sears and Clarke. A total of 1,881 Football League appearances for Chesterfield and not one for any other club. That will never be matched.
Cup time coming up. As Paul Cook races towards 300 games in charge of Chesterfield, he’ll be coming up against a man who, like him, led Wigan Athletic to a championship, and who also led Chesterfield, but for only around 10% of the number of games as our current leader. Gary Caldwell has had a decent couple of years in charge at Exeter City, who are due to host Birmingham City on Tuesday in what will be his 250th game as a manager, but his time at Chesterfield will not be remembered with great glee. What we do know is that Exeter will look to play from the back and play football, just what a PC side wants to come up against.
Will we make it to the round of the big guns, or will we slouch back up the M5 feeling very sorry for ourselves? Caldwell v Cook in the Cup, what’s not to like (apart from a Grecians win)?
Phil’s Positive: Three points, back in the play-off zone. That’ll do.
Next Match: Gary Caldwell’s mid-table Exeter City (A), Saturday, November 30, FAC2, KO 3pm. Full commentary for subscribers on the 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, Williams, Araujo (Grimes 46), Gordon; Naylor, Oldaker (Banks 83); Mandeville (Dobra 83), Markanday, Berry (Colclough 73); Madden (Grigg 73). Unused Subs: Thompson, Jacobs
Goal: Grimes 89 (Chesterfield)
Referee: Steven Copeland
Bookings: Araujo, Williams (Chesterfield), Campbell, Dallas, Telford (Barrow)
Attendance: 7,701 (263 from Barrow)
Galaxy Travel 1866 Sport Man of the Match: Dilan Markanday (chosen by Jamie Hewitt)
