Chesterfield continued their good start to the new season with an impressive 4-1 victory over Scunthorpe United at the Proact Stadium on Saturday 13^th September.

A second half hat trick from Eoin Doyle, who had earlier missed from the spot, and a late goal from Sam Morsy gave the Spireites a comfortable victory over The Iron after Paddy Madden had given the visitors the lead in the 46^th minute.

Chesterfield headed in to the game in excellent form. Sitting in the upper reaches of the League 1 table, they had lost just once in their opening five league matches; already picking up victories against Leyton Orient, Rochdale and Port Vale.

The visitors this afternoon were Scunthorpe United, who had defeated today’s hosts just eleven days earlier in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. However, it was likely to be a very different starting eleven from the youthful side the Spireites had put out for that contest and The Iron knew they needed to improve on their poor early season form if they were to repeat the victory this afternoon.

A bright late-summer afternoon played host to what was truly a game of two halves. The opening 45 minutes were very quiet with few chances for either side – Sam Clucas and Doyle both firing wide for the home side while former Spireite Gary McSheffery forced a relatively comfortable save from Tommy Lee at the other end.

Finally, the game burst in to life in the second period and what had been a rather dull contest turned in to a thriller!

Less than a minute after the restart the deadlock was broken. Some patient build up play from Scunthorpe eventually landed the ball at the feet of Madden. Just yards out, the striker couldn’t miss – poking the ball through the legs of the goalkeeper to put the away side ahead.

It wasn’t long until the home side were handed a huge lifeline – literally! Miguel Llera was adjudged to have handled inside the box as Daniel Johnson charged forward and the referee pointed straight to the spot.

However, despite being Chesterfield’s top scorer so far this season, Doyle couldn’t keep his cool and his spot kick smashed off the crossbar before bouncing to safety.

After missing the spot kick, many would have expected the forward to lose confidence. But this wasn’t the case and in fact it appeared to be a pivotal moment as Doyle battled to rectify his error.

Just nine minutes after falling behind, the Spireites were level once again. Clucas, making his home debut for Chesterfield after moving from local rivals Mansfield Town, charged down the wing before cutting the ball back to Doyle who fired past Robert Olejnik from close range.

And it wasn’t long until the Scunthorpe defence succumbed to the overwhelming pressure once again. This time Johnson was the creator, picking out Doyle who found the net with a powerful finish to score his and Chesterfield’s second of the afternoon.

With 18 minutes to go, the Irishman completed his hat trick. After being bundled down in the box by Niall Canavan, Doyle stepped up and this time made no mistake in converting from the spot to seemingly secure the three points.

Sam Morsy put the icing on the cake for Chesterfield in the final moments by adding another goal. Johnson was once again the provider as he played Morsy through – a neat lob from the midfielder completed a comfortable afternoon’s work for the Spireites, who moved up to fourth with this victory.

Chesterfield 4-1 Scunthorpe United

Madden ’46, Doyle ’55 ’64 ’72(p), Morsy ’88

Lee, Darikwa, Margrietter, Jones, Evatt, Clucas (Gnanduillet ’83), Roberts (Johnson ’22), Ryan, Morsy, Boco, Doyle (Ariyibi ’89)

Olejnik, O’Neill, Canavan, Llera, Dawson (Myrie-Williams ’76), Sparrow (Kee ’82), Williams, Adelakun (Taylor ’69), McAllister, McSheffrey, Madden 

 Attendance: 6,227