Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context
Chesterfield 1 Doncaster Rovers 2
Emirates FA Cup Second Round
The Spireites’ defining moment in the FA Cup was, of course, the incredible run to the semi-final in 1996/97. For much of the time before that and most of the time after, there’s been slim pickings in the world’s oldest football tournament.
But under Paul Cook, last time and this time, he’s led the team into seven cup campaigns, and seen his charges progress to at least R2 every time. Doesn’t sound much, but in the 28 seasons since Old Trafford, the second round has been reached just half the time, 14 occasions, seven of those in seven seasons under PC. The other seven, from a total of the 21 other seasons under John Duncan, Nicky Law, Dave Rushbury, Roy McFarland, Lee Richardson, John Sheridan, Dean Saunders, Danny Wilson, Gary Caldwell, Jack Lester, Martin Allen, John Pemberton and James Rowe, have only seen seven progressions between them.
That doesn’t make the defeat against Doncaster Rovers any easier to take, but it does show that our relatively recent showings in the FA Cup have been somewhat better than average. And the performance against Donny was certainly better than average, with Town marginally the better side when there were 22 players on the park, and they battled really well after John Fleck came on and went off in rapid succession, red carded for a challenge after he’d seen the ball slip by. The turning point of the game for sure.
The game as a whole was breathless from the first to last whistle, played on a great atmosphere, an archetypal cup-tie. Neutral viewers on TV I’m sure thoroughly enjoyed the contest between two sides going for the win, playing the ball quickly, minimal faffing about at the back, prepared to tussle and give their all.
With a total of 19 changes from the midweek Vertu game, won 5-1 by Rovers, that fixture had no bearing on this one, and the two 11s were extremely fairly matched. Zach Hemming kept it scoreless with yet another great one-on-one stop whilst Lee Bonis, who’s now got five goals in his last seven games, was in the right place to convert after ex-Donny man Liam Mandeville’s shot was parried by the keeper. One-up, good place. Special mention to Kyle McFadzean for his work in the build-up. Excellent.
Lee Molyneux was one of the best players in L2 last season, he made the PFA Team of the Year, and his turn and peachy cross from the right wing was as good an assist as you’ll see all season, enabling midfielder Owen Bailey to head home his eighth goal of the season, levelling things up very quickly.
First half balance of play, Chesterfield most possession, most shots, marginally the better side, and they avoided the Achilles heel slow start to the second half and were seemingly set for another potential trip to R3 when Ryan Stirk, originally destined to play 30 minutes after his injury, was replaced after 55 by Fleck, who sadly became the ninth Spireite to be sent off in an FA Cup tie. Ironically the first two in that list, Jamie Hewitt (v Walsall 1986) and Lee Turnbull (v Darlington 1991) were both on media duty at the game!
Fleck’s five minutes on the park has only been ‘beaten’ by Shayne Bradley (3 minutes after coming on as a sub v Mansfield in 2003) and Sam Hird (two minutes v Preston in 2015).
Plenty of ‘Billy Baiting’ as Mr Sharp warmed up and when he had an effort ruled out for offside, it’s all part of the rivalry now, but after his midweek hat-trick, I’m sure he wasn’t overly bothered!
The ten men battled extremely well, nothing left on the park at all, and extra time would have been tough, but unfortunately there would be no additional 30 minutes after, in minute 90, sub left-back Jack Senior got on a lovely through ball from defender McGrath to hammer home, Hemming was clearly disappointed. Senior had never scored for Rovers before the start of the week, he’s now got two in two, both against the Spireites in two different cup competitions.
Three Ls in a row now in three different tournaments, only one left to worry about now, and the sole Saturday L2 game, a goalless game between Colchester and Gillingham, saw Chesterfield slip to position #10 and Tuesday’s hosts Cambridge United drop to #7, a point ahead of Town. United have won an equal divisional high of six at home and have conceded a divisional low six goals at home, so Neil Harris’s team will be difficult to break down.
Our last three visits to The Abbey Stadium have all been defeats. You have to go back to 1989 for our last win there, 1-0 thanks to an own goal. The last Chesterfield player to score a ‘winner’ there was Dave Thompson, in 1974, a last-minute goal to give Spireites a 2-1 win, Ernie scored the first whilst United’s goal was a penalty from Ferguson, ordered to be retaken after Jim Brown saved the first one.
Last season’s cup exit game, at Exeter City, was most memorable due to the number of injuries picked up. Let’s hope that Dilan Markanday’s clear discomfort from this game does not put him in the treatment room, alongside fellow magician Armando Dobra, for too long.
Let’s concentrate on the league.
Phil’s Positive: Doncaster were L2 champions last season, have improved their squad and Chesterfield at least matched them, stride for stride, certainly when 11 v 11 and for much of the time whilst shorthanded.
Next Match: Tuesday evening, December 9, at 7.45pm, a rare visit to The Abbey Stadium to play Cambridge United, just one visit there in the last 23 years. Coverage of the build-up on 1866 Sport from 7pm before switching to the commentary platform. Back on the App for After the Whistle. Hear from Gary Roberts and Ryan Stirk in After the Whistle from after the Doncaster FA Cup game.
Chesterfield (4-2-3-1 to start): Hemming; Tanton, McFadzean, Dunkley, Gordon; Stirk (Fleck 55), Naylor; Markanday (Darcy 73), Mandeville, Duffy (Lewis 67); Bonis (Grigg 73). Subs (not used); Boot, Grimes, Daley-Campbell, Berry, Dickson.
Goals: Bonis 31 (Chesterfield), Bailey 34, Senior 90 (Doncaster)
Referee: Neil Hair
Bookings: Maxwell, Clifton (Doncaster)
Red Card: Fleck 60 (Chesterfield)
Attendance: 6,175 (1,320 from Doncaster)
1866 Sport Banner Jones Man of the Match: Dylan Duffy (chosen by Jamie Hewitt)
