Magpies Steal a Point from Blues

Photo ©Tina Jenner

After Tuesday’s fantastic performance against Wrexham, I was very optimistic for this game. Notts County are another team that will be challenging for promotion this season so any points from them will be vital in our bid for promotion. I could feel the atmosphere through the telly, 1,852 Town fans in good voice before kick off and it felt very much like another win was on the cards. Right? 

The Spireites started off well with some good pieces of play and it didn’t take long for them to get the first goal. Williams played the ball forward from the back to Quigley who held the ball up well before pulling the ball back across the area to Asante. The ball was blocked by Brindley, only for it to find Mandeville running in. 'Mandy' took a touch on his left before producing a superb finish from a tight angle, across the keeper, with his right. Just 16 minutes gone and Chesterfield were 0-1 up. There were a few chances for both sides in the remaining half-hour of the first half, but neither side could make them count. Horton found the side-netting for Chesterfield and Langstaff had a shot on target, but it was easily held by Fitzsimons. The first half ended 0-1, giving Town the advantage going into the break.

 Chesterfield nearly doubled their lead not long into the first half when King made a good run down the wing, before crossing the ball to an incoming Quigley. Slocombe managed to make a good save to tip the ball away from Quigley's head just in time. Quigley had another chance to make it two, just moments later, but fired just wide of the left-hand post. Ten minutes into a nervy 2nd half, Quigley found Asante in the box who smashed the ball into the back of the net, giving Slocombe in the County net no chance and putting Town two-nil up. 55 minutes gone and Town fans were bouncing and it seemed like we were on our way to getting another vital win. That was until we absolutely lost concentration for three minutes. A County through ball wasn't dealt with properly by the Chesterfield defence and they could only clear to Langstaff who fired the ball home to make it 1-2 in the 60th minute. Langstaff got his, and County's, second just a few minutes later in the 63rd minute. Some excellent play down the wing resulted in the ball finding it's way to Austin down the right hand side who floated a cross in to the area, which Langstaff rose to get his head to and bring the match level. Notts County fans then started to ramp up the atmosphere and it became anyone’s game. After more pressure from the home team, it took a last ditch block from Grimes to make sure that the Magpies didn’t steal all three points. Town were also pushing for the win and had a succession of corners, but weren’t able to convert. 

The match ended 2-2 and, after the performance against Wrexham, it left some fans feeling deflated and felt as though it was two points lost. On reflection, it was a point gained against a team we need to be taking points off. It could have been a lot worse. 

Another big game awaits the Spireites on Friday night under the lights against league leaders Barnet. Didn’t think I’d be saying that at the start of the season! Barnet will be coming to the Technique Stadium full of confidence and Chesterfield will need to make sure they’re ready. Whilst we remain unbeaten, we still need to work on not letting our lead slip. We do look very good going forward, but need to look after the ball more and focus on game management once we take the lead. 

As I said in my opening, any points against Notts County were vital and we can look at that as a point gained. See you at the Technique on Friday! 

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