Chesterfield 0 Stockport County 1 ( Vanarama National League) Monday 2 May 2022

(Words by hedgegrower, images by hedgegrower & Andrew Machin)

Now, Confucius knew a thing or two about stuff, and offered this to the world `Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall` and County chose today to remind us that they possess the kind of steely determination and more that the great Chinese philosopher was pointing to via a solid gold 1-0 win against promotion chasing Chesterfield.

It was a win right out of the top draw as the blues cruised into a first half lead via a Madden penalty earned by Elliott Newby who ran the Spireites back line ragged.


Newby- absolutely flew today !

It was another team performance to dine out on for seasons , but having credited Newby for his terrific showing that earned him a posse of Spireites on his case after the break, I will add Jordan Keane in the M.O.M mentions for a superb 90 odd minutes. No one let us down though!


Keano in conference with Madden ( Andrew Machin )

The win gives us a 3-point lead at the top of the National League ahead of our muck and nettles visit to Wrexham on Sunday, the Welsh side having been heroically held to a 1-1 draw by a Boreham Wood side reduced to 10 men for most of their game today!

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Back at 3 o`clock, DC had made changes in the County starting line-up, Cannon, Keane, Sarcevic and Duffus in for Minihan, Hogan, CJ and Rydel , and the team got a fantastic reception from 2600 County fans in a crowd of 9198.

NL Debut for Duffus !

They were outnumbered but never out shouted game long!

Straight away County went onto the attack – Madden was clear and was looking for Duffus but Loach the Spireites keeper spoilt the moment claiming Madden`s cross with confidence.


Madden looking for Duffus.......


....and Loach`s response !

Madden`s effort ( Andrew Machin )

Madden did link with Duffus next, the new man clear until the intervention of Miller, whose game would thereafter go south courtesy of Newby.

Duffus about to be challenge by Grimes.

Even at this early stage it was clear to see that Chesterfield were urgently seeking Denton`s head but he was not getting much change out of Palmer, Keano and company.


County press.....

At the other end though Newby was mining pure gold -his darting run only halted by Miller`s foul. County made nothing of the free kick.


Pure gold from Newby !

It was another 3 minutes before County returned to the offensive through excellent play by Croasdale who sent Duffus through on goal. A corner resulted as a defender put the ball behind, but this saw Palmer`s header clear the bar.


Keane- supplier ( Andrew Machin )

County looked lively and Newby appeared to have a colossal hex on the home sides back line, his latest dash down the right, onto Keano`s pass, cut short as he cut inside by another limb threatener from Miller.

Again, County were unable to capitalise on the free kick, indeed they almost shipped something they did not want as Kellerman scooted clear for Spireites. He was flagged offside, but it was a warning to be sharper!

The pressure continued from County and Newby whose energy saw Croasdale in on goal only to be thwarted by prompt action by captain Gunning for our hosts.

Meanwhile Denton was treating us to his stock ` fall down` panto routine – no real substitute it must be said for winning the ball, but it helps to earn a crust I suppose.

County kept the pressure on not distracted by the `off stage`theatricals.

Cannon marked by Miller

and fouled ( Andrew Machin )

A foul on Cannon ushered in a free kick, we again looked to have made nothing of this, until Croasdale`s diligence re-cycled it allowing Sarcevic to win a corner.


Denton back ( Palmer up)


and Andrew Machin`s view of Denton v Palmer

Denton got back to head the kick out- Madden lofting it straight back, this action ending disappointingly with Newby heading wide.


Just wide from Newby .

We were beyond the half hour mark now, and Denton had just nicked a cheeky free kick for Chesterfield, but Keane was outstanding in County`s rear-guard action that successfully defended this.


Keano outstanding at both ends of the park ( Andrew Machin )

Croasdale brought the ball clear from that last action, and set Newby up for another run that had the home back line all over the place in response to such an extent that , as Newby sped towards the box the flummoxed defender facing him had a hand to ball moment.


err...pen ref ! ( Andrew Machin )

Mr Swallow saw it and set about penalising it , however he indicated a free kick, which incensed the County players who had seen the liner indicate the foul was inside the box. Thankfully Mr Swallow was big enough to consult his liner and change his decision -awarding County a penalty that Paddy Madden, after a suitable delay, slotted home.


Madden celebrates with home end.

Andrew Machin`s view of Madden`s penalty.

County had the lead and 2600 voices let the world know it was so!

That was simply excellent, and not content with dazzling us at one end of the pitch Newby earned colossal plaudits at the other with some terrific defending near the corner flag!


Company for Newby !

We were just over 5 minutes from the break now – Duffus had just missed out with a shot that cleared the bar, and replying Spireites had wasted a bonus free kick.

Duffus v Loach.( Andrew Machin )

Duffus so unlucky ( Andrew Machin )

Chesterfield were beginning to shape up a bit as the game went into its final phase, but I was heartened to see Hinchliffe clutch confidently onto an incoming cross with a clutch of blue shirts on his case in front of goal. The save had happened….it was history…..but not for Denton who promptly clattered the County keeper- a sad repeat of actions by him on Ben in previous games , and futile too- he did not get booked but he should have been.

Newby kept County honest winning another corner, then……. leading Chesterfield`s defence the un- merriest of dances with another corkingly excellent run- skipped into the box to pick out Duffus . It looked like a great moment for County, and Duffus did everything correctly making contact with the ball, but it seemed to be deflected up and onto the under side of the bar- it stayed out, and it stayed 1-0.


Duffus...so close again !


and Andrew Machin`s shot of that action.

It continued with Hippolyte blocked by a great late slider from Williams. The Spireites keeper got something on the corner but not much and he had another corner to face.


County close again !

Keane and Johnson wanted this, but the header flew over the bar- the half ending with Johnson doing well to stop a late run by King who had taken advantage of a loose ball from County.

The teams went in to cheers at the break from the County following with the score Chesterfield 0 County 1.

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County looked to keep the impetus going when the second half started- Croasdale and Duffus both unlucky with runs.


Croasdale unlucky.

Keane thought he had won a corner midst this action but was ridiculously deprived of one by the yellow flagged liner.


Keane done by liner ( Andrew Machin )

Chesterfield brought Khan on for Kellerman next , and after the delay County almost shipped the goal they were so committed not to . Khan found himself facing an open goal- it was a shoo in for sure…the equaliser, but somehow he lifted a dreadful effort over the bar!

This was the start of much pressure from Chesterfield, they were to enjoy much possession but without doing anything with it- corners….free kicks it mattered not , County`s back line marshalled by Keano kept them at arms length- never able to see the white`s of Ben`s eyes at any stage!


Rowe on ( Andrew Machin )

Spireites now had Rowe on and DC had responded swapping Rydel for Cannon and Quigley for Duffus shortly after.


Sarcevic - welcome return !

Khan was in the game again next carting Sarcevic as he charged towards the box.


Yes....I think that`s a foul !

That too ! ( Andrew Machin )

County got a free kick and Quigley spirited this onto the overlapping Rydel, but he was promptly flagged offside, heading wide again shortly after following a foul on Croasdale.


Croasdale carted ( Andrew Machin )

The yellow flagged liner was getting really irritating now, depriving Madden of the clearest of corners which would have done us nicely thank you.

On it went with Chesterfield largely in possession but deprived of the oxygen of space to manoeuvre anywhere close to goal by County`s back line.

Spireites must have thought that the insertion of Rowe would sort this issue but there was no sign of this happening as , having robbed Johnson of possession, Asante sliced a lulu of a shot wide with 10 minutes left.

County were defending really well but the pressure kept coming back again as invariably we cleared our lines long and to no one in particular.

Hogan came on for Hippolyte with 5 minutes remaining to play, but Chesterfield continued to monopolise possession – and they almost proved me wrong- Grimes firing in snorter that Hinchliffe kept out with a brilliant diving save!

The cheers for that massive moment were dwarfed next as an almighty roar went up from the County support which I took to be good news from Boreham Wood v Wrexham!

This proved to be so the 10 men of the Wood hanging on for a point!

Chesterfield kept trying to rain on County`s parade, but it was not to be and the supporters and team exchanged salutes long after the final whistle.

That was a truly famous victory - a triumph of grit , determination and skill that sees County still on top of the National League with their lead over Wrexham extended to 3 points!

Well done all- simply brilliant!

Get yourself down to Wrexham on Sunday if you have a ticket and help sing the blues to another victory!

Chesterfield line up:-

Loach, Miller ( Asante 69), Williams, Gunning, Grimes, King, Oyeleke, Kellerman ( Khan 55), Weston, Mandeville, Denton ( Rowe 76).

Subs not used : Maguire, Mc Court.

Stockport County line up:-

Hinchliffe, Keane, Palmer, Johnson, Croasdale, Cannon ( Rydel 60), Hippolyte ( Hogan 84) ( Quigley 67), Newby, Madden, Duffus, Sarcevic.#

Subs not used : Ashby-Hammond, Hogan.

Attendance 9198 ( 2600)

hedgegrower

Additional Gallery

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