Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context
Chesterfield 2 Salford City 0
League Two Game #12
That’s 14 points picked up on Whitt Moor this season; only 15 earned by Gillingham at Priestfield tops that home tally and the Spireites’ 13 home goals is only bettered by the black and white striped guys at Grimsby and Notts. More than decent.
After six home games last season, also unbeaten, just eight points and nine goals registered; after 12 games home and away, this season’s points tally is three better than a year ago. The team is sixth now compared to eighth a year ago, and game #13 last season was a 1-1 draw at home to Colchester, so a chance to open up the gap a bit more next weekend. Progress.
Salford City rolled into town sitting in sixth spot with three away wins and just five conceded on the road, their two defeats both by just an odd goal, so it was a match against a contender, something that Paul Cook’s side hasn’t really come to grips with ahead of this fixture, just one point from three games against teams in the kick-off time top-ten.
Sparring to start, understandable. Salford with three up top meant that Chesterfield’s full-backs had to defend first and foremost, and both did that extremely well, but that formation meant that there was a bit more space in the middle of the park, giving Tom Naylor and Ryan Stirk a bit of space, and they set out their stall to ensure they bossed the middle third, and they did just that.
Chey Dunkley and Kyle McFadzean, very much in the spotlight, put in their tightest show of the season against the seasoned Cole Stockton, who didn’t cause any issues, plus the lively pair of Kadeem Harris and Daniel Udoh who’ve both got loads of experience further up the pyramid. They both demonstrated pace and power, but between them only tested Zach Hemming once, a fine save onto the post from Udoh (at 1-0), who appeared in 41 of Wycombe’s L1 games last season. Solid.
The first half was pretty low-key, played out in front of a great atmosphere, Herr Tuchel would have loved it, with much of the half-time chat being about the man in the middle, Mr Mackey, and much of it wasn’t necessarily about his hamstring injury just before the break.
The hosts started to look a bit more dangerous after the restart and just after the hour-mark, a regular source of supply popped up, a Liam Mandeville corner, which was rocket-nodded goalwards by the skipper only for defender Ollie Turton, no doubt trying to keep the ball out, diving in to head home an own goal.
Half an hour to keep out Beckham’s Boys, far from a guarantee, but the team gelled, worked hard in and out of possession and gave up few chances to the Ammies.
Fresh legs, fresh approach, James Berry pulls back for Ronan Darcy, first effort saved, second chance scored, ball in from the left and ball into the net, made from the bench. Game over.
The stats showed an even game, which it was, but a quality delivery and a quality double substitution was enough to see Chesterfield move back to sixth spot and make it seven wins and three draws in PCs last ten head to heads with Karl Robinson.
Sevens and eights out of ten all round, a solid if not spectacular show against a higher ranked side at the start of the game and a game in which Chesterfield’s defence shone and a game in which key chances were taken, just what we all want to see after games where most of the chances seem to have been snapped up by the opponents.
Pete Wild’s Cod Army up next. Their roster includes Ched Evans and James Norwood, but they’ve lost their last three away games. Cook will be without the suspended duo of Daley-Campbell and Naylor, both who had crackers, one of which got a crackers booking. Fleetwood came from behind to beat Harrogate 3-2 at home on Saturday, picking up the points from just 34% possession, so it could be another afternoon where patience is required.
But before that, it’s FA Cup draw time, 6.30pm on Monday. One thing’s for sure, we’ll not play Rochdale, they lost in the fourth qualifying round, but some intriguing potential opponents include Weston-super-Mare, South Shields, Buxton, Hemel Hempstead Town and the tie I’d like the most, AFC Telford United. Loads of replays too could throw up more interesting pairings, Truro City, Harborough Town, St Albans City and Chester all have home replays in the week.
Time to let off some steam now, at the 200 years of the railway celebrations at Barrow Hill on Sunday, with The Flying Scotsman the star attraction. My grandfather Bob Brightmore was an LMS signalman there back in the day and as a kid I’d often be allowed to pull the signals or points levers. Not sure health and safety would allow that now, but they do seem to allow punters to watch a match from a hanging basket dangling down from a massive crane. Stuart Basson, when did that last happen?
Phil’s Positive: Solid team performance against the team in sixth place at kick-off, the sort of show that sees you pick up lots of points and silences some of the glass half empty keyboard warriors. Great bounce back.
Next Match: Home again as Pete Wild’s Fleetwood Town come to Chesterfield on Saturday, October 18, 3pm kick-off. Build up on 1866 Sport from 2pm ahead of switching to the commentary platform. Back on the app, online and smart speaker for After the Whistle; for the Salford version, a link which can be found on the Chesterfield FC website as well as being on podcast platforms, you can hear reaction from Danny Webb, Vontae Daley-Campbell, Zach Hemming and Lee Bonis.
Chesterfield (4-2-3-1 to start): Hemming; Daley-Campbell, Dunkley, McFadzean, Gordon; Stirk, Naylor; Markanday, Mandeville (Berry 68), Dobra (Darcy 68); Bonis (Dickson 89). Subs (not used); Tanton, Lewis, Fleck, Donacien.
Goals: Turton (og) 62, Darcy 83 (Chesterfield)
Referee: Oliver Mackey (Sam Wesson 45+1)
Bookings: Naylor, Daley-Campbell, McFadzean (Chesterfield), Turton, Woodman (Salford)
Paul Cook was also shown a yellow card. Sympathies Gaffer!
Attendance: 7,962 (242 from Salford)
1866 Sport Banner Jones Man of the Match: Chey Dunkley (chosen by Jamie Hewitt)
