On Saturday 17th December I was at the B2Net Stadium to watch Chesterfield play fellow League 1 strugglers Walsall.
This was already a crucial match for both sides as both were lingering around the relegation zone, and Chesterfield were rock bottom and without a win since September.
Today’s game was also the last appearance for the Spireites on loan striker Leon Clarke, who returned to his club Swindon Town after this match. It is almost certain that Clarke will leave Swindon in January, though whether he will return to Chesterfield or go elsewhere remains to be seen.
The stadium was quite full with a total of 6,236 fans watching the action. Chesterfield put some early pressure on the Saddlers and an early attack saw Craig Westcarr force the keeper in to a good save.
The game was end to end with both sides pushing for a goal, and it was the away side that broke the deadlock on the 29th minute courtesy of Alex Nicholls who fired home his 5th of the season with a shot in to the bottom corner.
Chesterfield went looking for an equaliser but failed to create a great chance and the sides went in at the interval with Walsall 1-0 ahead.
The Spireites dominated the second half and desperately tried to find the goal that would bring the scores level. A perfect chance fell to Jack Lester early in the half, when Talbot’s cross met him just inches away from goal but he failed to control it and the ball was taken off his foot before he could level the scores.
Danny Whitaker had an effort from the edge of the area bounce off the crossbar and it felt as if it just wasn’t Chesterfield’s day. However, with just seconds to go, Jack Lester received the ball inside the area, turned and fired the ball in to the net to salvage a point for the Spireites.
After the match, I had pictures with Walsall players Richard Taundry, Connor Deards, Claude Gnakpa and ex-Manchester City player Jonathan Macken.
Despite getting a late point, it still wasn’t enough to lift Chesterfield from the foot of the table and the Spireites need to turn things around very quickly if they are to stay in this division.
Chesterfield 1-1 Walsall
Nicholls ’29, Lester ’90
Lee, Talbot, Trotman, Ford, Griffiths, Westcarr (Bowery ’70), Allott, Whitaker, Mendy, Lester, Morgan (Obadeyi ’79) Walker, Westlake (Bowerman ’86), Sadler, Butler, Beevers, Taundry, Chambers, Peterlin, Macken (Grigg ’63), Paterson (Halliday ’79), NichollsAttendance: 6,236
Jeff Hall and his friend get in to the Christmas spirit
Walsall are the final team to visit the B2Net Stadium in 2011
Its Christmas in the Chesterfield club shop
The Walsall team coach
with Richard Taundry
with Connor Deards
with Claude Gnakpa
The Saddlers players warm up
Balloons set to be released before kick off
They prepare to release the balloons
The Balloons are released
The balloons fly off in to the blue sky
The Walsall supporters
The two teams line up before kick off
The official photographs are taken
Chesterfield get the game underway
The Chesterfield dugout
Two veterans, Jon Macken and Jack Lester
The Walsall players celebrate after taking the lead
Half an hour gone and Walsall lead
The players head to the changing rooms at half time
View of the action from our seat
The Spireites look to steal all 3 points after Lester's late equaliser
The players shake hands at the final whistle
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