Phil Tooley takes a look at the game and its context
Fleetwood Town 1 Chesterfield 1
League Two Game #43
No red card and the game felt like it would have petered out to have been a bit of a 0-0 bore draw.
Kyle McFadzean’s dismissal on the hour, presumably for denying a goalscoring opportunity (last man, but still lots to do), was soon punished by ex-Spireite Ched Evans’ in off the post goal a few minutes later, meaning Spireites had to step up to the plate and grab a goal that didn’t look likely before they fell behind.
Danny Webb told me after the game that Kyle said he got a touch on the ball after James Bolton’s long ball towards striker Ronan Coughlan. Whether he did or didn’t, the Irishman, who’s only got one goal this season, back in December, still seemed to have plenty to do to score. First thoughts are that the card looks like it maybe worth investing in an appeal. The initial highlights don’t drill in much, difficult to determine any touch, but confirm Coughlan still had a long way to go before any potential goal.
We all wondered ahead of the game whether the mid-table,not going up or down, Cod Army would be on the beach. They didn’t play that way, but the pitch was undoubtedly part beach and the weather was definitely not sunbathing level, cold, wet, windy and the game reflected that miseryfor an hour.
Spireites, way off the Grimsby level, Fleetwood getting the ball in the box, creating some pinball scrambles in the six, Ryan Boot working hard to become the only player on a short list of one for the Man of the Match award, and the first of the season to win the 1866 Sport nod three games in a row.
A total of seven saves, a couple of crackers in there, whilst the visitors were quiet where it counts, quarter and half chances, nothing that looked overtly threatening until the clock showed that they needed to threaten and threaten quickly. As full time drew closer, so too did Chesterfield’s attacking play, with the team starting to show plenty of spirit and effort against the side with a numerical advantage.
With Barnet taking the lead at Notts, thanks to Kabby Tshimanga’s second, around the time of Evans’ goal, and a little after, Grimsby edging in front at Gillingham, Chesterfield’s grip on a play-off spot was slipping and nervous tension was clear amongst the 1000+ away following.
But gradually, Paul Cook’s side began looking potentially threatening, winning a few corners and turning up the pressure. Dilan Markanday probably should have levelled, but his one on one chip over the keeper was too low and saved, but the sub was causing problems and was fouled just outside the right side of the box.
Fellow sub Dylan Duffy drilled in a low ball with pace from the resulting set play, inevitable shin on ball, came out to yet to score this season Ryan Stirk, left footed blast into the danger zone, hits defender Bolton on the line, level on 89. Relief, huge relief.
Stirk’s shot was on target, obviously could have been blocked, but we gave the goal to Ryan, the PA announcer gave the goal to Ryan, the person who informs ‘the authorities’ who feed all of the goal sites, web sites and newspapers gave the goal to Ryan. Chesterfield historian Stuart Basson will undoubtedly credit Ryan, but then stick in an asterisk in the comments field to say, actually went in via Bolton, some feat as Bolton is about 45 miles south of Highbury!
Goal greeted with much joy and when we were all able to check what it really meant, initial thoughts were ‘Grimsby can still overtake us’ but then the realisation that with a game due against Swindon, our destiny remains in our own hands. Well done our very own Luke Butterfield for his stoppage time leveller for Accrington Stanley at The County Ground earlier in the day, his first ever senior goal. Massive moment.
Over the course of the afternoon, our next opponents, Crewe Alexandra, dropped out of the play-off race, as did Oldham Athletic, meaning (practically if not mathematically) that it’s two from four for places six and seven. I know Notts can all be overhauled by three clubs,plus two could overtake Salford, but that’s too much of a stretch of the imagination. Note, Salford host promoted Bromley on Thursday, congratulations to Andy Woodman and his team. We know what we need to do to ensure we visit Hayes Lane for a ninth consecutive season.
The key fixtures remaining are Grimsby’s game in hand, on Tuesday, at third placed Cambridge United (who technically we can still overtake, but I’m sure we’d all take losing that chance in midweek). Next Saturday when we host Crewe, there’s a huge game at lunchtime, Swindon v Grimsby, meaning The Mariners play two before we next kick a ball.Barnet host one win in 11 and long-time beach dwellers Gillingham, The Bees will be huge favourites to bag three points in that one.
Final day, in-form Barnet (W5 D2 in seven) go to hopefully still in the mix Harrogate Town, Grimsby visit hopefully not quite safe Tranmere Rovers as we go to Swindon and hopefully overtake them. Lots of football still to be played. Still hopeful!
Lee Bell’s Crewe have been thereabouts all season. After beating Oldham 2-1 at the end of last month, they were in the final play-off spot with six to play, but three losses in four since has ended their chances, they’ve conceded three in each of their last two games.
Four matches with Alex since we returned to the EFL have ended 3-3 in the match there in November, which followed our Vertu Trophy 7-1 hammering at Gresty Road. Last season’s games were both away wins, 3-1 at The SMH and 5-0 at Crewe, so 23 goals in the last four encounters.
Strap yourselves in.
Phil’s Positive: The team showed some spirit after being a man down and a goal down, battling right until the final whistle despite being off key.
Next Match: It’s the last scheduled home game of the season on Saturday 25 April, 3pm kick-off, with Crewe Alexandra, now out of the play-off race, visiting The SMH Group Stadium. Listen to the build-up on 1866 Sport from 2pm with commentary being on the subscription platform, then back on the App for After the Whistle. Hear from Danny Webb, Liam Mandeville, Dylan Duffy and Ryan Stirkin the Fleetwood version of the podcast.
Chesterfield (4-2-3-1 to start): Boot; Curtis, McFadzean,Swinkels, Gordon (Owolabi-Belewu 68); Braybrooke, Stirk;Mandeville (Markanday 59), Naylor (Berry 59), Dobra (Duffy 59); Bonis (Donacien 63). Subs (not used); Hemming, Fleck.
Goals: Stirk 89 (Chesterfield), Evans 66 (Fleetwood)
Referee: Ross Martin
Bookings: None
Red Card: McFadzean 61 (Chesterfield)
Attendance: 2607 (1062 from Chesterfield)
1866 Sport Man of the Match: Ryan Boot (chosen by Josh Marsh)
