Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context
Chesterfield 0 Bromley 0
League Two Game #26
I went for my scheduled eye test the other day and, down Vision Express, there was much more of a spectacle than at the SMH Group Stadium against the, it has to be said, surprise (but deserving) league leaders.
Two contrasting styles, no surprise after 15 previous meetings in the last eight seasons, the main shock being that this was the first goalless meeting between two sides that have always served up a minimum of two goals between them in their preceding encounters. The only other surprise? Neither Cook nor Woodman were booked!
And, like the Spanish Inquisition (Monty Python reference), there was another surprise! Apparently Michael ‘Cheeky Boy’ was playing. Josh did the 1866 Sport commentary as I have a nasty cough, and when he mentioned that the man who’s scored more goals against Chesterfield than any other team in his career was being subbed, in truth I’d forgotten he was playing!
Even more surprises (no-one expected that!) Andy Woodman said that Bromley were ‘by far the better side’. Nope, no surprise he said that at all. I take that back. But it must be true, because I heard Donald Trump say that very thing as well. And that’s not fake news.
No surprise whatsoever is that Zach Hemming is becoming a very solid and reliable keeper. Four different starting back fours in the last four games through injury, suspension and acquisition, and he’s just got on with things in an increasingly commanding and efficient way. Another late penalty save from a man who once bagged a hat-trick (for Barnet) against Town, Nicke Kabamba, and was also a teammate of Zach’s at Hartlepool United back in 2019, whilst he stopped a couple of decent efforts in the first half too.
First half, a bit of ragged passing at the back (when I say ‘a bit’ I mean – crikey what was that… again?) but the rampant Ravens, seven Big Ws on the trot, had their wings clipped and their best two chances, from headers from the giants at the back, flew wide of the target.
A few bits of good Spireites play before the break, most notably when Lee Bonis poked just wide after great work from Will Dickson and Adam Lewis, who combined well in an unexpected left-sided pairing, but Paul Cook’s side stepped up in the second half and, penalty apart, starved Bromley of the ball. Somehow, in a series of late six-yard box melees, they didn’t manage to beat ex-Spireite Grant Smith, whilst in their earlier chances, either the decision making or the final execution was poor, bar Sam Curtis’s shot, which brought out a fine Smith save.
It was the home fans’ first opportunity to see the four men who debuted at MKD plus sub Tom Pearce and they all looked more than capable of adding something to a squad that looks stronger than in did on December 31, 2025.
Curtis can shift down that right flank, ditto Pearce on the left. Swinkels can defend, dust up his short, quick passing and there’s a proper player in there, Braybrooke oozes class and Ladapo will cause mayhem with his strength and speed. Add to that Dickson, now a fully fledged Spireite, for me a surprise starter on the day, but his place was fully justified as he put in his best performance in our shirt.
Twenty to go, two magicians back in full training, the squad looks more than capable of averaging two points a game from here on in, which would undoubtedly mean a top three spot, but you have to say (though PC and his backroom staff won’t) that the next game, at Newport County, is a ‘must win’ one.
Bottom of the table, one win in 11, only one home win all season, they were 2-1 up at Gillingham on Saturday on 90 minutes, but lost, no player has more than four league goals this term and arguably their best player of the season, Sammy Braybrooke, now plays for Chesterfield!
The Spireites have won the last four encounters with the Exiles, scoring one, two, three and four goals in those victories, the pitch at Rodney Parade, despite also hosting Rugby Union, is much better than it used to be, so hopefully we can at least match last season’s trip there when Dilan Markanday scored after 40 seconds and Will Grigg confirmed the destination of the points with two late on.
Three 2026 draws may be seen as a disappointing start to the year, but they’ve been against the section’s meanest defence, top scorers and league leaders, so far from a disgrace. But the game at Newport is pivotal, as it’s followed by games with top four teams Salford City and Walsall.
Seven points minimum return? I think so, and I think the squad is more than capable of that. A nice nine would be even better!
Phil’s Positive: A clean sheet against the league leaders who’d scored in every game since September (and won 11 of their previous 12 games), meaning three clean sheets in the last six games compared to three in the previous 19, solid progress. Get can openers Dobra and Markanday back and the recipe continues to look good.
Next Match: Back to Saturdays at 3pm, the first such kick-off time since before Christmas! Saturday, January 24 sees the team venture over the border to Newport County, the section’s bottom side. Listen to the build-up and After the Whistle on 1866 Sport from 2pm, with commentary being on the subscription platform. Hear from Gary Roberts, Sammy Braybrooke, Freddie Ladapo and Zach Hemming in the After the Whistle podcast from after the Bromley game.
Chesterfield (4-2-3-1 to start): Hemming; Curtis (Daley-Campbell 82), McFadzean, Swinkels, Lewis (Pearce 66); Braybrooke, Stirk; Mandeville, Berry (Ladapo 66), Dickson (Duffy 71); Bonis (Grigg 71). Subs (not used); Fleck, Naylor.
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Bookings: Curtis, Duffy (Chesterfield)
Attendance: 7,432 (148 from Barnet)
1866 Sport Man of the Match: Zach Hemming (chosen by Jamie Hewitt)
