Wilson hails Spireites after Cobblers crash

Danny Wilson said his men played some '˜terrific football' on their way to an impressive victory over Northampton Town.
Chesterfield FC v Northampton, Conor WilkinsonChesterfield FC v Northampton, Conor Wilkinson
Chesterfield FC v Northampton, Conor Wilkinson

Chesterfield ended the Cobblers’ 31-game unbeaten streak thanks to a Connor Wilkinson brace and Kristian Dennis’ first Football League goal.

Wilson said a positive start gave Town the platform to go and pick up three points.

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“I thought we were good value for the win, I thought we started very well from kick-off, getting at them, showing our intentions straight away,” he said.

“We got a goal really early and fully deserved that.”

The Spireites’ boss acknowledged that had Northampton started better, it might have been a much tougher afternoon.

“They’re a difficult team to play,” he said.

“Our defenders in particular have headaches from the three games we’ve played, balls lumped into the box, but they’ve defended brilliantly again and not just the first balls, the second ones too.

“We knew we had to do that, they don’t go 31 games unbeaten for no reason, but thankfully they didn’t get their noses in front because that might have made things more difficult.

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“I think when they chase the game they leave themselves more open and we took full advantage.”

Wilson went through his side listing performers who impressed him, including Gboly Ariyibi who put in one of his best displays of the 2015/16 season.

“We played some terrific football at times,” said Wilson.

“I thought Gboly was unplayable, it was very difficult for their boys to look after him, he was a great outlet for us.

“But throughout the team we had very good performances, Connor with two goals, Kristian on his debut, Jay coming into the side, Nolan back after injury, Lids (Gary Liddle) an eight out of 10 again, the back four were immense and the goalkeeper when we needed him as well.”

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The absence of Ched Evans was perhaps a worry for Town fans before the game, but in Wilkinson and Dennis they saw a new strike partnership with some guile and plenty of industry.

Wilson said: “They gave us something different. It might have been a surprise to them that Ched wasn’t playing and we changed our formation, they didn’t settle very well and we did.

“Overall the two strikers gelled very well, held the ball up and worked their tails off.

“They were fantastic for us, took a few whacks but that’s what they expect.”

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Dennis was insistent at full-time that the third goal was his, Dion Donohue’s shot coming off his right boot and beating keeper Adam Smith.

Manager Wilson isn’t interested in auditioning for the dubious goals panel however.

“I’m not bothered, they can fight it out amongst themselves,” he said.

“But from where I was sitting I thought it was Dion’s. I asked him after the game and he said, tongue in cheek, it was his so it may well by Kristian’s.”

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Before kick-off there was a rumour that top goalscorer Evans would be out for months, rather than weeks, through injury.

But the manager seemed unconcerned at full-time.

He said: “He’s just got a heel injury, he’ll be okay next week I hope.”