Football

Chesterfield 0-1 Preston North End – League 1 Play Off Semi-Final (1st Leg)

pne1stleg.4

Preston North End earned a slim lead over Chesterfield in the first leg of the League 1 play off semi-final on Thursday 7th April 2015.

Jermaine Beckford scored the only goal of the game after just six minutes after Chris Humphrey’s pass cut through a nervy Spireites’ defence.

The hosts responded strongly – Gary Roberts and Ollie Banks both coming agonisingly close to scoring in the second half, but a solid Preston defensive unit held on and head back to Deepdale on Sunday with a 1-0 lead in the tie.

On a personal note, this was my first time reporting from the press box at the Proact Stadium – a very exciting experience and one I look forward to continuing next season!

(more…)

Sheffield United 1-1 Chesterfield – League 1

finaldaysufcaway1

Local rivals Sheffield United and Chesterfield played out a 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane on the final day of the regular season, with both knowing their play-off spots were already secured.

Marc McNulty opened the scoring for the hosts in the first half. But Ian Evatt’s powerful header six minutes into the second period ensured that the Spireites took a share of the spoils.

The draw means the Blades will face Swindon Town, whilst Chesterfield take on Preston North End in the League 1 play offs.

(more…)

Chesterfield 0-2 Bristol City – League 1

bristolhome1

Chesterfield finally sealed a play-off spot despite defeat to newly-crowned champions Bristol City on Saturday 25th April 2015.

The visitors came out on top in a high-quality encounter thanks to goals in either half from Kieran Agard and Aden Flint.

However, the defeat did not dampen the joyous mood at the Proact Stadium as Rochdale’s 3-2 defeat to MK Dons meant a top six finish was now guaranteed.

(more…)

Chesterfield 6-0 Colchester United – League 1

col1

League 1 strugglers Colchester United were hit for six on Tuesday 14th April 2015 as Chesterfield ran riot at the Proact Stadium.

The Spireites raced into a 3-0 lead after less than 20 minutes courtesy of goal from Gary Roberts and a Sam Clucas brace.

Dan Gardner and Jimmy Ryan made it five in the second half. Roberts then fired home from the penalty spot to round off a record-breaking victory at the new ground.

(more…)

Chesterfield 3-0 Gillingham – League 1

IMG_2574

Chesterfield returned to winning ways on Tuesday 17th March 2015 with an impressive 3-0 victory against Gillingham.

The Spireites made sure that Saturday’s home defeat was quickly forgotten as they raced into a two-goal lead inside 12 minutes thanks to goals from Sam Clucas and Jay O’Shea.

And Clucas, who played the role of striker following Caolan Lavery’s return to Sheffield Wednesday, rounded off an excellent performance with a goal in 88th minute to keep the Derbyshire club’s play off dreams alive for another day.

(more…)

Chesterfield 2-3 Coventry City – League 1

IMG_2474

Chesterfield took a major blow to their play off dreams with a 3-2 defeat to strugglers Coventry City on Saturday 14th March 2015.

Despite finding the net in either half courtesy of Jay O’Shea and late substitute Gboly Ariyibi, the Spireites fell to a third home defeat out of four as Marcus Tudgay, Sanmi Odelusi and Frank Nouble all scored for the Sky Blues in an entertaining encounter.

It was a day of firsts for Coventry, who picked up their first victory under experienced new manager Tony Mowbray on their first ever visit to the Proact Stadium.

(more…)