Shez puts gloss on trophy triumph
All eyes will be focused on Sky TV's Soccer AM programme on Saturday morning for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy second round draw.
For high-flying Chesterfield FC pulled off a surprise 2-1 victory at League One side Walsall on Tuesday to claim their place in the hat.
Goals came from Jordan Bowery and Dean Morgan as John Sheridan's men bossed the tie at Banks's Stadium.
Bowery gave the Spireites the lead before Reuben Reid levelled for the Saddlers but Morgan booked Chesterfield's second-round ticket when he fired home from a narrow angle.
It was the Blues first-ever cup triumph against Walsall and manager Sheridan was delighted with his team's success.
He said: ''We deserved to win, we had some very good chances and could possibly have scored more goals.
''But to win the game against a very good footballing side was a good test for us and we coped very well.
''Our front four had lots of pace and energy about them and I think we caught them with that pace, trying to get behind them and I was pleased that Jordan and Dean got the goals.''
Eyebrows were raised among the 212 travelling fans when they learned that midfielder Dwayne Mattis - who moved to the B2net Stadium from Walsall this summer - was to play in central defence alongside Simon Ford.
Captain Ian Breckin, the first choice in that position, was rested and Mattis wore the armband to face the club for whom he played a total of 75 times.
Chesterfield have made a great start to the season and the victory over higher division opponents sets them up nicely for Saturday's home game against Lincoln City.
After four matches, Sheridan's troops are unbeaten in League Two and are handily placed in fourth spot.
They have won both their league games in the new ground and will be looking to continue that sequence at Whittington Moor on Saturday.
Breckin may return for the Imps clash but Sheridan has a selection dilemma over Jack Lester.
The Blues No 14 was replaced by new boy Morgan after 56 minutes in the 1-1 draw at Macclesfield before being left out of the picture altogether for the Walsall clash, not even making the bench.
Sheridan praised Bowery and Morgan for their pacy displays and goals and he could be tempted to let the winning combination continue and leave Lester on the sidelines for the Lincoln game.
Sheridan felt a tad deflated after his troops went 1-0 up at Moss Rose - courtesy of a close range first Chesterfield goal for Craig Davies - but left Macc with just a single point.
He said: ''The disappointing thing was that we did get in the lead but unfortunately we didn't hang on.
''The game was there for whoever scored first, and when we did we thought we'd go on and win but it was an even game, they're a big, awkward side who made it difficult for us.
''Once you get a goal in front, you need to be stronger mentally, and we weren't playing great.
‘'It was pleasing that we had a different scorer again, it doesn't matter who scores, we're all in it together and want to win games, but it's a shame, draws sometimes disappoint you and once we got the goal I thought we'd have done a bit better to hold on to win the game.''
HEAD BOY: Chesterfield FC striker Jordan Bowery gives the Spireites a 1-0 lead in the Johnstone's Paints Trophy victory at Walsall. Match report: turn to page 91.
Macclesfield match report: page 90.
Aaron Downes speaks to fellow defender Rob Page: see page 86.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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