Tooley’s Take

Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context

Chesterfield 3 Tranmere Rovers 0

League Two Game #19

Cookie, tear up your tactics, forget your formations, just go back to the winning formula of 2013/14, it’s a simple game. At the heart of that championship-winning season was the unforgettable Ryan-Morsy axis.

That’s all that’s needed this season, and I’ll tell you why, no clowning about! Just look at the last 13 games Coco has scored in; Tranmere Rovers WON, Solihull Moors WON, Aldershot Town WON, Dagenham & Redbridge WON, Aldershot Town again WON, Hartlepool United WON, AFC Fylde WON, Dorking Wanderers WON, Maidstone United WON, Eastleigh WON, Wealdstone WON, Southend United WON, Gateshead WON. So gaffer, just give the ball to Ryan more-see. Simple.

Before that, he did score at Wrexham in a defeat, but that wasn’t in England, more like California, so apart from Newport County this season, that strategy should be okay.

Right from the start, Colclough looked like he would win the battle with his full-back marker, Cameron Norman. It was all a bit 1066 in reverse as the Spireite conquered the Norman defensive line time and again before shooting in the key opener, one in the eye for the Rovers man, and the first brick in the wall of the Whittington Moor fortress rebuild. Fantastic play from midfield maestro Mandeville to arrow the ball through with such precision. Take a bow (rhymes with bough).

Storm Darragh had threatened to make good play tough (rhymes with cuff, just how good is the English language) and Tranmere looked to have adapted to the windy conditions a bit quicker, with Max Thompson having to fling himself to the right to claw out an early header, a stunning save. But after that, Town started to wind (rhymes with find) things up and wrest (silent ‘w’) control.

With Armando and Dilan matching Ryan’s flair, Mandeville and former Rover Ollie Banks feeding the flanks, full-backs Sheckleford (on his EFL debut) and ‘Flash’ Gordon alive to every situation, the afternoon teemed not only with rain, but also teemed with a team performance of the highest order.

Two saves onto the post by Tranmere keeper McGee after the opener though made you think that it could be another potentially frustrating afternoon.

The key second was, for me, the type of goal I want to see my team score. Will Grigg battling to keep the ball whilst being manhandled, shaking off the aggressor, bursting forwards down the middle.Operation Overload, three pronged attack, decisions spot on, Dilan right, Dobra left, defence breached, inch perfect delivery for Markanday and another for the assist, Armando firing in the final blow. William, the captain, was also the conqueror of the move. Without him, no goal.

Markanday’s phenomenal fast feet led to a both posts hit scenario ahead of a great moment when sub Berry took advantage of a poor clearance by Finlay to put in fellow replacement and ex-school chum Kane Drummond, still with some work to do, to score his first ever EFL goal. Smiles as wide as the River Mersey. Great story. The finest gifts from the Little Drummond Boy, pa rum pum pum pum, bang Yogi’s Drum.

Did you also notice the Rovers midfielder Merrie, first name Chris? Held onto the ball too long, sure I heard a teammate shouting, ‘Merrie… Chris.. PASS!’ Something like that anyway.

Three goals at home for the third time this season in three different competitions after Horsham and Grimsby Town in the FA Cup and Vertu Trophy games. Three big points too. What injuries? What a performance!

Just a few days ago, none of us would have expected Ryheem to play a blinder, Drummond to score, Hobson to come off the bench and Horton to be in the squad, but as the injuries (and suspension) pile up, Paul Cook’s soldiers keep on battling, and in this game, the battle was not only against Tranmere Rovers, but also against the conditions, and both were tamed. Satisfied Spireites all round.

Who knows what PC has in mind for the game against his, and most others, former club Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night in the Vertually New Name Trophy. With the squad situation as it is, options seem somewhat limited, but suspended DJ can play in this game, though he’ll miss the long trek to Carlisle United on Saturday. I hope we win, but I’ll not cry if we don’t.

If we do want to win, it’s obvious what to shout from the stands, ‘Give it to Colclough!’

Phil’s Positive: Best home performance of the season.

Next Match: Wigan Athletic (H) in the newly named Vertu Trophy,Tuesday, December 10, KO 7pm. Full commentary for subscribers on the commentary platform (find details on Chesterfield FC website). Build-up from 6.45pm, half-time and post-match remains on the 1866 Sport App.

Chesterfield (4-2-3-1 to start): Thompson; Sheckleford, Williams, Araujo (Grimes 82), Gordon; Banks, Mandeville; Markanday, Dobra (Hobson 75), Colclough (Berry 65); Grigg (Drummond 82). Unused Subs: Boot, Horton, Cook.