Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context
Chesterfield 2 Shrewsbury Town 3
League Two Game #36
For much of the latter stages of the last century, before any Artificial Intelligence was easily accessible, if you wanted to know the answer to a complex question, you’d write a letter and post it to ITVs Fred Dinenage who, along with a host of intellectuals such as Jack Hargreaves, Bunty James, Jon Miller and Carol Vorderman, featured on a programme called ‘How’ and they would explain, in simple terms, the answer to your intricate conundrum.
Fred’s still alive and well, aged 83, but sadly I don’t know his current address to send a letter to for him to get the gang together to answer the question’ ‘How the hell did Chesterfield not manage to beat Shrewsbury Town at the weekend?’
In any letter, I’d offer supplementary evidence that the Spireites had a seasonal high 23 shots, with the second most on target, that’s eight, which is equal most on target against a team with 11 players for the full game.
Paul Cook’s crew put in a remarkable 39 crosses, passed with a very high level of accuracy, 86.5%, but ended up as losers. The home side ‘won’ inside 90 minutes, but lost out due to stoppage time headers at the end of both halves against a side that, and I don’t want to be disrespectable, were far from the best we’ve seen this season. How?
I can’t answer such a complicated question, so I’ve turned to Fred & Co’s successor, AI, and asked the exact same question suggested a few sentences ago! This is what was returned;
The Spireites’ play-off hopes took a massive hit due to a combination of clinical finishing from Shrewsbury and a costly defensive error:
- Last-Gasp Heartbreak: After Tom Pearce equalised with a sensational 85th-minute free-kick, Sam Stubbs headed in a winner for Shrewsbury in the 93rd minute.
- Goalkeeping Howler: Shrewsbury’s second goal came directly from an error by Zach Hemming, who failed to clear a back-pass and allowed Trey Ogunsuyi to score from close range.
- Ogunsuyi’s Brace: Shrewsbury striker Ogunsuyi netted his first two league goals, including a crucial equaliser just before half-time that cancelled out Tom Naylor’s 31st-minute opener.
- Shrewsbury’s Form: Under new boss Gavin Cowan, Shrewsbury arrived as one of the division’s in-form teams, having won six of their last seven matches.
- Manager Paul Cook noted that his side would have to own the result, as it dropped them out of the play-off spots.
Well, that was comprehensive and factual (apart from the bit where it says Shrewsbury arrived having won six from seven; they left The SMH with six from seven) but it misses the point that Chesterfield added three more points to the ‘where on earth did they evaporate to’ pile that has been so costly during this campaign.
Just in 2026, the total stands at nine after Walsall, Harrogate Town, Crawley Town and now Shrewsbury Town. Chuck in Tranmere Rovers and Crewe Alexandra from earlier this season and that makes an unlucky 13 which would (and should) have put Chesterfield one point behind Bromley.
Is it a bit of arrogance in the group who, like me, feels that the squad is more than good enough? Is it a mental weakness? Is it just down to that old chestnut of Game Management? Probably a bit of all of those, but failing to make the play-offs this season would undoubtedly be an underachievement and would end six years of continual growth.
This boom and bust lark needs to be addressed; Barnet, down in the dumps, end of the world, Colchester United, boom bang a bang, all’s well, Shrewsbury Town, busted flush. We need to see at least eight booms in the final ten games, but with precious few back to back wins this season, that seems outrageously far off for a team that was dominant at Crawley and again against Shrewsbury, but picked up just one point from those two games. Heading in the right direction, stoppage time headers ruin the afternoons. Basic.
Notts County play great football, our contests with them in recent times have been humdingers, they’re without a couple of key players, but since losing 2-0 on our grass on Boxing Day, they haven’t conceded more than one goal in any game. It’s another ‘Must Win’ for all Spireites, and we’ll all take spawny for sure.
Phil’s Positive: Everything apart from when the ball was in our own penalty area.
Next Match: Saturday, March 14, it’s the short trip to Notts County, with a 12.30pm kick-off at Meadow Lane. Listen to the build-up on 1866 Sport from noon with commentary being on the subscription platform, then back on the App for After the Whistle. Hear Paul Cook, Sammy Braybrooke, Tom Pearce plus ex-Spireite Sean Parrish, who’s coach at Shrewsbury, Notts County cricketer Ben Slater and Chesterfield FC Women correspondent Jordan Benford.
Chesterfield (4-3-3 to start): Hemming; Curtis, McFadzean, Swinkels, Owolabi-Belewu (Pearce 71); Braybrooke, Naylor (Mandeville 71), Stirk (Dobra 46); Markanday, Berry (Dickson 77), Grigg (Bonis 71). Subs (not used); Dunkley, Donacien.
Goals: Naylor 31, Pearce 85 (Chesterfield), Ogunsuyi 45+2, 70, Stubbs 90+3 (Shrewsbury)
Referee: Alan Dale
Bookings: Dobra (Chesterfield), Ogunsuyi, Cox (Shrewsbury)
Attendance: 8,118 (653 from Shrewsbury)
1866 Sport Man of the Match: Sammy Braybrooke (chosen by Jamie Hewitt)
