Chesterfield 3 – 1 Nottingham
Chesterfield kept their title hopes alive with an away win over struggling Nottingham in the Bodykraft Midlands Premier league, but had to come from a goal behind to secure victory.
The visitors had the better start, with efforts from John Beardsley, Adam Bointon and Adam Park all being blocked in front of goal. Then against the run of play, a poor defensive clearance allowed Nottingham possession in the Chesterfield circle and a good cross allowed their striker to score from close range.
In the second half, Chesterfield quickly found an equaliser when Adam Clifford intercepted a pass on the left wing and he combined with Bointon to provide Rob Anderson, who put the ball into the roof of the net.
The second soon followed from a penalty corner that was neatly passed to Park on the right and he precisely lobbed the keeper from a tight angle. Another penalty corner allowed Beardsley to secure the three points with a cool finish past the keeper at his near post.
Matt Lloyd in the Chesterfield goal prevented a nervous last five minutes when his outstretched leg managed to turn a clever first time shot around the post.
Chesterfield 3 – 4 Coventry & North Warwick
A mix of bad finishing and bad luck left Chesterfield rueing their missed chances as three points are dropped against third placed Coventry in the Bodykraft Midlands Premier league.
The home side Coventry did little to penetrate the Chesterfield defence but every time the visitors went forward they looked dangerous with great chances falling to Josh Brocklehurst, John Beardsley and Charles Grant to take the lead, but all missed the target.
The goal finally came when Adam Park hit a bouncing ball that nestled into the bottom left corner. Then a turnover of possession in the Coventry circle allowed a break that resulted in a penalty corner, which was initially saved by Adam Bointon on the line but the striker pounced onto the rebound. A second goal against the run of play then followed from another penalty corner flick that found the right side of the goal.
In the second half a chance fell to Pat Evans at the top of the circle but his shot just missed the left post. Then the killer goal was scored by Coventry as they took advantage of a generous umpiring decision to break down the left and lift the ball over Matt Lloyd into the goal.
Adam Clifford pulled one back from a rebound off a Josh Guilliamse penalty corner strike. Bointon forced a great low save from the Coventry keeper at full stretch, Clifford saw a number of shots fly over the bar and then Evans had a tap in taken away from him by a last ditch interception.
Coventry’s winner came on the counter attack when a quick free hit allowed a shot across goal to be deflected in from close range. Clifford got his second with a reverse stick shot of the game with seconds to go but no time was left to find an equaliser.
Chesterfield 3 - Harborne 1
Interim report from the Webmaster:-
What a truly MAGNIFICENT performance from the Chesterfield team ! I have not seen them play any better. I will not single out any individual for praise as this was indeed a TEAM playing for one another and with one another. The work-rate was phenomenal such that Harborne were never allowed to settle into their game. Their "star" goalscorer was allowed little or no opportunity to even play the ball, let alone get into a scoring position.
The first half ended 0-0, though the home side were certainly in the ascendency and had by far the best of the chances. Then, shortly after the break, Adam Bointon was on hand to convert in a goal mouth melee resulting from a short corner. Not too long afterwards, Mixo performed one of his magic tricks at the top of the circle to manufacture space for a shot, reverse stick into the roof of the net. Slightly against the run of play, Harborne pulled one back, but were consingned to defeat when the home team secured their third goal through Captain Macca.
Well done lads .... the crowd (yes, there were lots of spectators) ... thoroughly enjoyed your performance ... you are a credit to the Club !
And, as an additional and very important celbration on the day, Gary presented Graham Oldfield with his engraved Life Member's Tankard. He is pictured below with Gary and some of the spectators.
The "official" report of the game from our correspondent Adam Bointon:-
Chesterfield 3 – 1 Harborne
A large home crowd was left happy after Chesterfield beat league leaders Harborne to go top of the Bodykraft Midlands Premier league with only three games remaining in the season.
The home side dominated most of the game, creating plenty of chances and reducing Harborne to a handful of penalty corners. Matt Lloyd in the Chesterfield goal kept out a low drag-flick from a penalty corner and swept up the leagues top scorer before he could get a shot off. At the other end, Adam Bointon missed a chance at the left post after Dave McCormick pulled his initial shot wide and then McCormick forced a great save from the Harborne keeper with a lifted shot form the top of the circle that almost crossed the line.
Chesterfield broke the deadlock early in the second half after a pulled penalty corner strike by Josh Guilliamse was turned in at the left post by Bointon. They doubled their lead minutes later when Adam Park burst into the circle and found Adam Clifford to turn his marker and fire a reverse stick shot over the keeper into the roof of the net.
Harborne pulled a goal back in fortunate circumstances after a ball into the circle hit the post and rebounded for their striker to put the ball into the net. Fears of a desperate final ten minutes were relieved when McCormick struck a lifted penalty corner strike that the keeper could only turn into the roof the net. Despite going down to ten men, Chesterfield looked the more likely to increase their lead and Clifford was denied his second by a phenomenal double save from the Harborne goalie.
And now for some photos from the game:
Chesterfield 2 – 2 Lichfield
Chesterfield dropped two points against a struggling inexperienced Lichfield side, who were unlucky not two grab all three points by scoring their only two chances in the game. The visitors started brightly as the Lichfield defence dropped back and gave title contenders Chesterfield some respect, but after a couple of crosses into the circle went begging at the far post, Lichfield settled into the game.
The remainder of the first half was of poor quality as both sides continuously failed to keep possession of the ball to create chances with errant passing and bad first touch. Chesterfield were lucky not to have a couple of players sin-binned for bad tackles and the illegal control of an overhead ball.
In the second half it looked as if the visitors may take control of the game after they took the lead when Adam Clifford broke into the circle down the right and fed Rob Anderson to turn the keeper in front of goal and score from a narrow angle. But the poor passing continued and eventually a turnover in midfield allowed Lichfield to get a shot off at the top of the circle and have players queuing up at the far post to tap the ball into the net.
Lichfield’s second goal soon followed in a similar manner after possession was given away in midfield and the left winger found some luck after his mis-hit effort looped over the helpless Matt Lloyd and bounced into the goal.
This prompted an immediate response and the scores were level again when Adam Bointon robbed a Lichfield midfielder and slid a weighted pass into the circle for Dave McCormick to roof into the net with a first time shot from the top of the circle. Josh Guilliamse almost stole the three points in the final minutes when his powerful low shot was going to nestle into the bottom left but the Lichfield goalkeeper got the faintest of touches to put the ball wide.
Chesterfield 2 – 1 Mansfield
Chesterfield scored two late goals to take all three points from local rivals Mansfield in a toughly contested game in the Bodykraft Midlands Premier league. Mansfield were happy to sit back and defend their circle in an attempt to hit Chesterfield on the break, meaning both sides struggled to create chances.
Matt Lloyd in goal made two fine interventions to prevent the Mansfield centre forwards from advancing into goal scoring opportunities after they burst into the Chesterfield circle. Josh Guilliamse had a couple of chances from penalty corners and Dave McCormick provided a couple of fine passes into the circle but no Chesterfield striker could find a goal scoring touch.
As it looked as if the game was going to drift to a goalless draw, Mansfield took the lead with their only penalty corner of the game after Matt Lloyd made a fine initial save but the rebound fell nicely for Mansfield allowing them to tap the ball into an empty net.
With ten minutes to go, Chesterfield were forced into throwing more players forward and the pressure finally told when Pat Evans found a killer pass to pick out John Beardsley in front of goal to score.
Chesterfield thought they had a penalty stroke moments later after when the Mansfield defender illegally prevented Beardsley a goal scoring opportunity, but Guilliamse scored from the resulting penalty corner with a powerful shot that the goalie could only parry into the roof of the net.
Chesterfield 3 – 2 Worcester (A)
Chesterfield secured another away victory despite having two forwards missing for the game against Worcester in the Bodykraft Midlands Premier league. Worcester took the lead early on with a solid push at goal from a penalty corner but the Chesterfield defence felt they should have done better.
Rob Anderson hit back ten minutes later after a defensive error allowed him to lob the goalkeeper from the edge of the circle. The score remained 1-1 until the opening moments of the second half when Dave McCormick’s free hit into the circle was neatly deflected into goal by Josh Brocklehurst for his first goal of the season.
Adam Park then burst through the Worcester defence, driving past three defenders and beating the keeper from a tight angle.
As Worcester though men forward Chesterfield were forced to defend deep and a nervous last ten minutes were created after Adam Bointon got tackled on the goal line just before he could clear an initial save by Matt Lloyd. The visitors battled hard and despite going down to ten men and surviving a last minute scare, held on to all three points.
Chesterfield 3 – 5 West Bridgford
Chesterfield suffered their second home defeat in a row against West Bridgford in the Bodykraft Midlands Premier league, but results elsewhere have meant that their title hopes have not been damaged.
The home team started very poorly and the Nottingham side took full advantage going two goals up in 15 minutes, both the result of Chesterfield’s inability the retain possession and loose marking.
Going two goals down was the tonic to wake Chesterfield up and John Beardsley turned in David McCormick’s cross at the far post to pull one back. McCormick then got a goal of his own at the stroke of half time, when the ball fell to him at the far post after the Bridgford keeper had made an initial save.
Chesterfield started brightly in the second half but were caught on the break after the umpire gave the Bridgford forwards a significant advantage at the edge of the circle allowing their striker to turn unmarked and slot the ball home.
An unstoppable drag flick into the top right from a penalty corner by West Bridgford gave them an insurmountable lead despite McCormick getting his second of the game from a penalty corner strike. A neat lob over the keeper after a long aerial ball into the circle, sealed victory for West Bridgford in the final minutes.
Chesterfield HC 3 – 2 Sutton Coldfield
Two goals from Adam Clifford kept Chesterfield riding high in the Bodykraft Midlands Premier league as they travelled to struggling Sutton Coldfield. Both sides try to keep things tight in the first half, with the best chance falling to the Sutton striker but his shot was well saved by Matt Lloyd.
Chesterfield felt unlucky not to be awarded a penalty stroke as two Sutton defenders brought down Clifford from behind right in front of goal, but the half ended at 0-0. A piece a magic down the left by Charles Grant beat two defenders in the circle, allowing him to feed Clifford in front of goal to break the deadlock.
Despite being down to ten men, Sutton equalised when Matt Lloyd’s save from a drag flick fell kindly for the Sutton striker to tap the ball into the net. But it didn’t take long for the visitors to regain the lead when a loose ball fell to John Beardsley at the top of the circle, who beat his marker and lashed an unstoppable reverse stick shot into the bottom right.
Adam Park intercepted a kick out of the circle by the Sutton goalie, quickly finding Beardsley at the top of the circle who sold the entire defence with a dummy shot and then passed the ball to the unmarked Clifford to walk the ball into the empty net.
Sutton got one back on the break with a quick move down the left wing that ended with a excellent finish off the inside of the post by their striker. Chesterfield had two further chances to seal victory when Josh Guilliamse struck a powerful shot that the keeper saved brilliantly onto the post and Charles Grant’s lob over the goalie in the final minute was acrobatically saved off the line.
12th January Chesterfield 1 – 3 Olton & West Warks (H)
The opening game after Christmas was against Olton who are hot on our heels in the league and keen to make up ground, so we knew it was going to be a tough game. After starting brightly, the home side were awarded the first penalty corner of the game and Macca’s bobbly shot just missed the left post and Bointon’s stick.
Then the game all fell to bits for Chesterfield, who were now unable to string any passes together and it wasn’t long before Olton took advantage of a turnover in our half to pass the ball around the defence and chip the ball over Lloydie in goal.
Their press was efficient and effective and soon resulted in their second. A straight hit into the circle was deflected by a defender’s stick and fell nicely for the Olton striker to slot the ball into the bottom left. Chesterfield now couldn’t wait for half time to arrive.
In the second half, the home side came out much more positive and all of the play was now in the Olton half, who were content to defend deep and protect their lead, which they did very effectively, preventing any clear cut chances. The best chance fell to Beardo after Mixo’s shot crashed into the ‘keeper’s helmet, but the umpire seem to see some infringement and gave Olton a very generous free hit. This pressure always opened up the opportunity for a counter attack which resulted in Olton’s third. A scramble in the circle resulted in a penalty corner and one of the best routines seen, with three dummy shots before a first time strike found the bottom left.
Josh Guilliamse’s thunderbolt from a penalty corner strike gave some hope of a comeback but Chesterfield wasted two good chances to make the last ten minutes uncomfortable for Olton, with Hartley and Parky both suffering from reversestickshotitis instead of finding a better option in the circle. In the end, it was a deserved victory for Olton, whose organisation and work rate was at a level too high for Chesterfield, especially in the first half. In the previous half of the season, we had been getting away with slow starts by not conceding early goals and this performance need not be repeated.
13th January - Chesterfield 3 – 1 NNorth Stafford (A)
After a loss to Olton the previous day, this was now a must win fixture for the firsts, despite the tired legs, a much better performance was put in to take all three points. A good start by the visitors resulted in North Stafford taking the lead after Pat Evans’s annual get caught in possession outside his own circle allowed the pretty ineffectual Stafford striker to slide the ball under Lloydie into the goal.
Chesterfield always looked the better of the two teams and the lonely Stafford supporter was silenced after Bointon intercepted a potential breakaway pass, burst through a couple of tackles to find Parky in the circle to win a penalty corner. Dutch’s shot was mistimed but still found the edge of Mixo’s stick to deflect into the net for the equaliser.
In the second half, the visitors continued their dominance and took the lead after Dutch patiently taken sideline hit found Parky on the edge of the circle to burst through two defenders and force a save from the ‘keeper, only for the rebound to fall to Mixo for his second.
Mixo was then disallowed his hat-trick by an astonishing umpiring decision, after he turned the ball into the net at shoulder height after the Stafford defender had deflected the ball high into the air towards goal. Charles Grant then fired over the bar from the top of the circle with only the ‘keeper to beat, but the winner finally came when Mixo completed his hat-trick with his first reverse stick goal ever.
Stafford had a chance to pull one back, but Lloydie put their striker under enough pressure in front of goal to force him to stop the ball with his foot instead of his stick. After the final whistle the visiting team were treated to a delightful tea consisting of sliced bread, cheese, paté and cucumber. Certainly one to look forward to again.
Chesterfield 4th 1 v West Brigeford 4th 1
Well this was the fist league game after Christmas. The team faced with relegation have now started to change things around and have now started to work together and play some impressive Hockey. In the last 3 games we have had two draws and 1 win which has lifted the team up a few places. The opposition were in second spot and looked at us down at the bottom thinking it was going to be an easy game, 3 points in the bag. But we had other ideas and again like most weeks it’s getting harder to field a regular side each week. so this time we required the help of Mr Molloy senior and the great out player Hoops with no subs and 2 balls to the team’s name and a kit that was made up from about 3 different strips.
The team Started with the warm up and then the famous team talk were given and we were ready to go with light fading and the cold setting in the whistle blew to start. The opposition put us under pressure for the first ten minutes but with fantastic work from the back four and some fantastic saves by Chris Bee or Wasp as he is now known the score line would have been about 4-0. Four me Mick Rowan who normally play’s right back swapped sides and gave one of the best performances I have seen him play, he total took his player out of the game leading to the player getting frustrated on every attack he made. Hoops played right back and again did a fantastic job playing some simple basic hockey not diving in and clearing the ball out of the D. Also big mention for the other 2, John & MR Kay making tackle after tackle.
In the first half we conceded 4 short corners but not a chance of that ball getting in the back of the net with the performance of the wasp he was buzzing. Then with about 15 minutes to go Chesterfield had a 16 yard hit that saw John switch the ball from the left to the right, and saw Hoop’s quickly release and pass up the right wing to Mark Boardman who then turned it on, beating 4 other players with some silky one two’s with Mr Harry swift. Then with a great cross from Harry to find MR faithful him self-Phil the hit man to finish the move with a fantastic goal. We held on to the lead and went in to half time 1-0 up. The only thing I forgot to mention was Mr Rowan as I said previously he had his player matched and he didn’t like it but he tried to ruff up Mick the pensioner and was surprised as Mick gave it to him back, but to the cost of a Green card to Mick. Hats off to the opposition they played some great Hockey but this was spoiled by the constant moaning to every decision the umpire’s.
The team were in great shape but there were some tired legs Brendon had run his leg off Kay was carrying his 24 pack of Carling in his shirt. We started the second half strong with most of the possession and even managed to win 2 short corners with one being saved off the line. Then with about 15 minutes left they got a hit outside the D and this was hit straight into the goal, the problem was that no one had touched it inside the D? But the opposition protested again that they had touched it or a Chesterfield player had .The umpire ruled in favour of chesterfield and a 16-yard was given. However Chesterfield went mad and lost all shape and just kept giving the ball away to put us under a lot of pressure. No more than 5 minutes later and they had a shot that was going wide but it hit Hoop’s right on the knee in the goal mouth and he dropped to the floor, there was a big goal mouth scrap and play was not stopped all hoops could do was pray that a stick did not hit him chesterfield tried to protect him and the opposition carried on only to put the ball in the back of the net a level the game. This is the only time I think the young umpire got it wrong but the goal was awarded and that’s it. They continued the pressure us but we sorted our selves out and continued the attack which saw Nick Drew and young Josh make some brilliant runs down the left side getting the ball into there D, however we just could not win anything or score that final goal. The whistle went and we got the draw and 1 point. With no subs this was a great performance it was shame we did not win but we are gradually getting out of the danger zone with some hard work.
Player of the Match
It was hard to award this, as there were a number of contenders Swift, Hoops, Bee & Mr Rowan but I have decided to award it to the WASP Mr Bee as without him the score line would have been different.
Well-done Mate
Andy Phillips
Chesterfield v Burton 1-1
The 3rd team travelled to Burton for an early start to unfortunately see the 5th team get a thumping just before we were due to play.But Burton were unable to continue the form of their strengthened 5th team and Chesterfield took the game to Burton. However, agaist the run of play, Burton took the lead only for Chesterfield to counter seconds after and level the scores. Handbags were at the ready as Burton became frustrated and aggravated by our fluency!
MOM-Ben Northedge
Callum
Chesterfield 5 – 3 Bridgnorth
A solid away victory keeps Chesterfield in joint first place at the midway point of the season in the Bodykraft Midlands Premier league. The home side took an early lead, but when Jamie Hartley picked out an unmarked Charles Grant at the top of the circle, his shot could only be saved to the waiting Adam Park to equalise.
After conceding a second goal on the break, Chesterfield found another equaliser when Adam Bointon scored from a rebound off the ‘keeper from Josh Guilliamse’s shot.
Chesterfield stepped up the second half performance and soon took the lead when Hartley cross from the left picked out Pat Evans at the far post to score. A great passing move released Steven Hubbard down the right wing and he found Adam Clifford at the far post to score.
Then the visitors put themselves under pressure by losing two players to the sin bin and conceding a soft goal from a penalty corner, but despite being down to nine men, Guilliamse’s 60 yard pass picked out Clifford, who turned his marker and beat the ‘keeper to secure victory.
Chesterfield 1 – Nottingham 0
A single goal from Josh Guilliamse was enough to claim three points and return Chesterfield to joint top of the Bodykraft Midlands Premier league. Jamie Hartley earned a penalty corner in the first two minutes of the game and Guilliamse stuck a powerful shot that deflected over the stranded ‘keeper.
Another penalty corner moments later should have resulted in Chesterfield’s second but Adam Clifford’s deflected goal was disallowed despite no protests from the Nottingham players.
The home side never recovered from that crucial decision and allowed Nottingham to come back into the game. In the first half, the visitors missed a number of penalty corners and were unable to find the killer pass through the Chesterfield defence.
Nottingham threw more players forward in the second half to find an equaliser but their best chance was met by a goal line clearance by Adam Bointon.
Then in the final minute of the game, Nottingham were awarded a penalty corner which was neatly passed to a cue of strikers at the left post only for the ball to strike the forward’s foot in front of an open goal.
Chesterfield 4 – 3 Coventry & North Warwicks
Chesterfield returned to winning ways with two goals each from Adam Clifford and Adam Park to keep them within two points of the leaders in the Bodykraft Midlands Premier League.
The home side were unfortunate to concede the opening goal as it seemed that the Coventry striker failed to touch the ball in the circle but the umpire thought otherwise and awarded a goal. Chesterfield quickly equalised when Dave McCormick’s cross was deflected by Clifford into the corner of the goal.
The home side took the lead from a penalty corner when Clifford’s touch around the ‘keeper was turned in by Park at close range. A fortunate bounce over a Chesterfield stick in the circle gave the Coventry midfielder chance to equalise just before half time.
Midway through the second half, Clifford got his second after he turned in John Beardsley’s shot across the ‘keeper but this was quickly nullified by a well worked penalty corner by Coventry.
Adam Park got his second and the winner in almost identical fashion to his first goal, while Clifford was denied his hat-trick when it seemed like a perfectly legitimate goal was disallowed.
Chesterfield 2 – 2 Lichfield
Two late goals salvaged a point for Chesterfield to take them top of the Bodykraft Midlands Premier league. The visitors, Lichfield, gave a solid away performance, defending resolutely and scoring their only two shots at goal, but numerous chances missed by the home side cost them two points in the end.
Chesterfield were lucky to escape an early goal mouth scramble, but Lichfield took the lead from a well worked penalty corner that gave their forward a tap-in at the far post.
Adam Clifford was unlucky not to equalise after he rode a number of tackles only to see his shot shave the left post. In the second half, Lichfield doubled their lead with a deflected shot from their second penalty corner of the game, forcing Chesterfield to throw extra men up front for the final 15 minutes.
The extra pressure told as the Lichfield defence capitulated. First Dave McCormick’s shot was neatly turned into the net by Adam Bointon at the far post and then Adam Clifford was the first to react to squeeze the ball under the ‘keeper after he made a low save.
The home side were unlucky not to nick all three points in the final moments as a couple of chances just evaded Chesterfield sticks in the circle.
Chesterfield 5 Sikh Union (Coventry) 4
Chesterfield v Northampton Saints (4-1) [Mark F, Ashley Higgenbottom, Craig Walters? 2].
Chesterfield took on fellow strugglers Northampton in this early season relegation battle. The 12.30 push back was delayed as even the Saints were unable to get divine intervention to bypass the M1 traffic.
When play finally got underway near 1 pm the home side started the brighter. Chesterfield deservedly took the lead when following a break down the right by Ashley a shot by Jonno was saved only for Doc to push home the rebound (1-0). Chesterfield created further chances the best being an Ashley shot being saved on the goal line. A recurrent injury to the clubs top scorer Andy allowed Saints to then take control of the rest of the first half. Wave after wave of attacks were broken down by a stubborn Chesterfield defence. ‘Hoops’ in goal made a succession of inspirational and blinding saves. A series of Saints penalty corners proved fruitless. 1-0 at halftime.
The 2nd half started with Saints on the attack for the equalizer. As they attacked in numbers they left themselves susceptible to counter attacks. Once again a resilient Chesterfield defence was able to keep them at bay for most of the half. However a well taken penalty corner finally brought in the equalizer.1-1.
As Saints relaxed momentarily, an immediate Chesterfield counterattack by a rampant Ben on the right allowed Ashley to smack home the 2nd goal. 2-1.
Chesterfield then stuck a purple patch scoring 2 more goals in quick succession following some good work by Jonno and Ben – Craig ‘claiming’ the final touch to Ashley’s goal bound shot and then scoring off the goalkeeper 4-1.
A welcome 3 points for the struggling Chesterfield 3rds in a closely fought contest – the final score line flattering the home side. Our thanks to the visitors who played the game in the right spirit and to referees Keith and Gary for a well managed game.
Chesterfield 0 West Bridgford 10
Chesterfield 3 Belper 4
Chesterfield 3 – 2 Mansfield
Chesterfield had to come back from a goal down to secure victory over local rivals Mansfield and maintain their 100 percent winning start in the Bodykraft Midlands Premier league. The home side, Mansfield, started the brighter putting the Chesterfield defence into disarray and were rewarded with the opener when Josh Guilliamse gave possession away in his own 25 allowing four Mansfield players to advance into the circle and score. The visitors were lucky not to concede further goals in a twenty minute period of confusion, but once they settled into the game the chances began to come and they were unlucky not to be awarded a number of penalty corners and penalty strokes when a string of bad stick tackles by the Mansfield defenders and ‘keeper went unpunished. It took until the second half for Chesterfield to equalise, when Guilliamse converted the first penalty corner of the game with a powerful shot that went through the ‘keeper’s legs. The visitors then scored two further goals in quick succession when Steven Hubbard was the first to react after Josh Brocklehurst’s shot at goal was only partially saved and Adam Clifford deflected the ball through the ‘keeper’s legs from the narrowest of angles. Mansfield pulled one back with five minutes to go and despite having a couple of great chances to equalise, Chesterfield held onto all three points.
Chesterfield 1 – 0 Worcester
Three clean sheets in a row and a second half goal from Rob Anderson made sure Chesterfield maintained their 100 percent winning start to the season in the Bodykraft Midlands Premier league.
Few chances were created in the game but the visitors must have left wondering what they had to do to break down Chesterfield’s defensive unit from open play and penalty corners. Josh Guilliamse and Jamie Hartley each made countless tackles and Matt Lloyd in goal smothered everything that came near him.
At the other end the Chesterfield strikers always looked threatening and forced a top class reflex save when Jamie Hartley’s cross was deflected at goal by Adam Clifford.
Clifford was instrumental in the only goal of the game when he dispossessed a Worcester defender and found Rob Anderson on the penalty spot to fire the ball into the net.
Chesterfield could have settled the game, but Adam Bointon was unable to turn the ball into the goal at the far post and John Beardsley’s powerful shot was well saved. The home side were reduced to ten men for the final period of the game, but clung on to all three points with some frantic defending.
Chesterfield 1 – 0 West Bridgford
Chesterfield stretched their 100 percent record to four wins out of four against West Bridgford in the Bodykraft Midlands Premier league an a game that looked as if it was going to remain goalless until a thunderbolt by Josh Guilliamse clinched all three points.
Each side had their dominant spells throughout the game but crucial moments in each teams circle kept the game poised at 0-0. Matt Lloyd in the Chesterfield goal made a number of smothering saves in each half to prevent the home side from scoring from all their penalty corners and Tom Stopper made one of the tackles of the season, stopping the Bridgford forward from tapping the ball into an empty net.
The visitors had their chances to score but Adam Clifford twice fired over the bar with the ‘keeper to beat after bursting through the Bridgford defence. Ben Young twice found himself at the far post but was tackled after getting on the end of Adam Bointon’s ball into the circle and then he couldn’t quite reach Clifford’s cross across goal.
A penalty corner was awarded to Chesterfield moments before the final whistle and Josh Guilliamse stepped up to fire a shot into the bottom left that the ‘keeper could only manage to parry up into the net.
WEST BRIDGFORD 9s 4 CHESTERFIELD 2
This game we knew from the start was going to be tough. We ended up with 10 men due to dropouts and none attendance. They have got a set of youngsters who are very talented and comfortable on the ball. They had had two adults in the midfield who would not stop running and they were their playmakers. It was not long before the pressure that they applied started to take effect. They ended up with a series of short corners. The first was despatched with ease from a loose player on the left. The same player scored again almost identically from the same position. They scored their third again from a short corner. Half time came and General Battye stood up to the plate with words of wisdom and from the start of the second half instead of trying to take defenders on we passed it around them. It was then as if a light was turned on. We started to press them back, put them under a lot of pressure and it was not long before Kidger and Fearn rounded their defence with ease and both scored a goal that was as it should have been. In the dying minutes they got another short corner, which was despatched, into the bottom corner out of the sun. All in all this was truly a game of two halves and we can rightly claim the second as ours.
Chesterfield 3 – 0 Sutton Coldfield
Chesterfield made it three wins out of three with a comfortable victory at home to make a perfect start to season and top the Bodykraft Midlands Premier league. The home side dominated the whole game in terms of possession and prevented the Sutton forwards from having a single shot on target.
The opening goal came mid-way through the first half when Adam Park made a burst down the right wing and found Adam Clifford in front of goal to score into the bottom corner.
The second came moments before half time from a well worked penalty corner routine when Adam Bointon roofed Josh Guillamse’s ball into the circle.
Chesterfield continued to create chances but Clifford was unable to add to his tally, twice narrowly missing the left post after beating the Sutton ‘keeper. Debutant, Dan Molloy sealed victory when he found himself with an empty net after a quick break away by Clifford leaving the Sutton defence and ‘keeper stranded.
CHESTERFIELD 1 MANSFIELD 5s 3
This was our third loss on the bounce, but the score does not reflect on how well we played. Their team consisted of a mixture of experience and stronger youngsters, who would not stop running. They played well as a team and the score would have been more had it not been for Tom Walters in goal who is having a storming first season. Gary McCormick went off injured with a sore leg during this game and we reshuffled the positions. They had in the mean time scored three times during the first half and it looked like it was going to be a cricket score. Half time break and some advice to all we came out for the second half fighting. I was not long before our pressure started to tell and Kidger found himself in front of the keeper and he managed to scramble the ball into the net. We continued with the pressure and had some very near misses. But it was not to be this time. They ran out winners, but we won the second half.
Chesterfield 4 – 3 Olton & West Warwick
Chesterfield travelled to Olton & West Warwick and despite going two goals down, came back to make it two wins out of two in the Bodykraft Midlands Premier league. A powerful shot from a penalty corner and a neat deflection from a cross gave the home side a two goal lead mid-way through the first half. Adam Bointon pulled one back before half-time when he turned in John Beardsley’s shot across goal at the far post.
The Olton left winger was left ruing after putting a simple chance into the side netting as Adam Clifford immediately broke through the Olton defence to find Adam Park in front of goal to equalise. Clifford then stole possession off an Olton defender, rounded the ‘keeper and slotted the ball into the net to put Chesterfield into the lead.
A deflected shot from a penalty corner gave Olton an equaliser with ten minutes to go, but Clifford’s second goal of the game and Matt Lloyd’s reflex saves ensured Chesterfield hung on to all three points.
DERBY ASTERDALE 5s 2 CHESTERFIELD 1
This game could have gone either way. Yet again it took us some minutes to get organised but when we did we played very well moving the ball about very well. This said we went down to a well-worked goal. They had some very skilful youngsters who gave us quite a few problems. Their midfield maestros worked them hard and they controlled the game for quite long periods of the game. It was not long before we went 1 behind from some lovely interplay between their forwards. They went further ahead a short while later. After the break and some words spoken we started to play hockey. We passed the ball more smoothly and at pace and worked for each other. It was not long before our pressure started to tell and Brendon ended up with the ball with time for a shot, which was duly despatched into the bottom corner. We continued with the pressure and won a series of short corners. From one of these I managed to strike the ball, which the defender stopped on the line with his foot – penalty stroke. Yours truly stepped up and duly hit the post. The score remained 2 – 1 but it should have been a draw.
Chesterfield 3 – 1 North Stafford
Chesterfield HC faced newly promoted North Stafford at home for the opening game of the season in the Bodykraft Midlands Premier league. Both sides had promising starts but it was debutant Josh Dutch who scored the opening goal for the home side from a penalty corner with a low shot that squeezed under the ‘keeper’s stick into the bottom left.
North Stafford didn’t take long to equalise, scoring a well worked penalty corner routine. Adam Clifford continued his scoring form from last season, with a neat turn in the circle to beat his marker, followed by a smart finish under the ‘keeper.
The home side had a number of further chances to build on their lead, but it took until the second half to widen the gap when Adam Bointon and Dave McCormick isolated a Stafford midfielder to turnover possession and Rob Anderson’s weighted throughball allowed Clifford to lift the ball over the oncoming ‘keeper to score his second.
Chesterfield took their foot off the pedal allowing Stafford a prolonged period of pressure in the final stages of the game, but they were unable to get themselves back in the match due to an outstanding performance from Matt Lloyd in the Chesterfield goal.
CHESTERFIELD 3 BELPER 8s 1
For this game I was sidelined with a strained back so I did all of my work from the sideline.
As is usual with the 5ths it takes us time to settle into a routine. In this period we let in a sloppy goal from some slack marking. Belper then thought they were in the ascendancy, but they were wrong. We then started to get a grip of the game. The ball was passed around with purpose and with some solid work both defending and attacking in the middle of the park with Phil Palfreyman and Jonno Hodgson we controlled the game with quite some ease after that. With Luke out on the wing giving us some pace and tenacity, and who never stopped running. Our first goal came from some lovely inter play between the forwards and when we entered the circle Matt Drinkall picked the ball up from 3 metres out and thrashed it home to equalise. The second came from lovely play down the right for the ball to be fired across the goal where Phil picked the ball up at the far post to slot it in. The final goal came in the dying seconds where a superb ball came from the defence which split their midfield to find Jonno 1 on 1 with the keeper, round him with ease and for the ball to be put into the net on the reverse strike. A well deserved win after some hard running.
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