On Saturday 3rd September I was at the B2Net Stadium to watch Chesterfield v Leyton Orient in League 1.

Neither side could have had a worse start to the season coming into this match. Chesterfield had picked up just a single point from their first 5 games, while Orient had yet to get any points. The two teams were sat in the bottom places in League 1 and desperately needed a win to kick-start their seasons.
This match saw the home debuts of new signings Craig Westcarr from Notts County, Lee Johnson from Bristol City and Jonathon Grounds from Middlesbrough. Alex Mendy also finally made his debut for the club after receiving international clearance during the week. The French winger had previously played for Mlada Boleslav of the Czech Premier Division and a club he had helped win the Czech Cup last season. At the start of the season he had come to England and been on trial with Leeds United who were keen to sign him, but the deal fell through and he is now playing for Chesterfield.

Before the game I met and got a picture with legendary ITV commentator John Helm, who has commentated on many sporting events including the FIFA World Cup. We then headed through the turnstiles hoping to see the Spireites pick up their first victory of the season.

The game wasn’t the best with neither side threatening the goal all that often. Chesterfield had the most of the possession and looked more dangerous in front of goal but they couldn’t convert the few chances created. Alex Mendy, who played very well in the first half, had an early chance when he stole the ball of the defender and broke through one-on-one but the Orient keeper dived down and took the ball away from his feet before the Frenchman could shoot at goal.

The Spireites’ best chance came right on half time when Westcarr’s shot was cleared off the line and the ball bounced around the 6 yard box, but no one could put it in the net and the game remained goalless.

Orient’s best chances came from corners, which Chesterfield have had trouble defending this season. A couple of times the O’s headed just over the crossbar but that is the closest they came to finding the net.

The second half was much poorer than the first, with neither side really threatening the break the deadlock. Late on in the game Jack Lester was clattered by the Orient keeper, leaving the Spireite legend with a suspected broken arm leaving him out for up to 3 months which is terrible news for Chesterfield. Shockingly, the referee gave a foul against the striker despite the bad injury that meant Lester had to be stretchered off the pitch.

The game ended goalless meaning neither side had moved from the bottom places in League 1 and they are both yet to pick up a victory this season.

After the match I had pictures with new Chesterfield players Lee Johnson, Craig Westcarr and Alex Mendy as well as the new reserve goalkeeper Greg Fleming. I also met Orient manager Russell Slade and players Jamie Cureton, Dean Cox, Tom Lovelock, Moses Odubajo, Elliot Omozusi and Leon McSweeney.

Craig Davies was also back at the B2Net Stadium today to watch the game, and I got a picture with Chesterfield’s top scorer from last season.