Chesterfield continue good form as Battye strikes twice

After going two goals down the home side showed both quality and resilience to come back and earn a 2-2 draw, thanks to two goals from skipper Chris Battye.

The North Derbyshire side are beginning to build up a head of steam having lost only once in their last six outings in the Warwick Printing Hockey League Midlands Division 2.

Player-coach Ben Lamb said: “I thought we were superb, after the initial setback of going two-down we quickly rallied and stuck to our hockey.

“As soon as we equalised, I thought we were the only team going to win it. We had a chance to snatch it at the end, but overall we’ve got to be pleased with our efforts.”

Chesterfield have developed a sternness and steel that was lacking earlier on in the league campaign and were well marshalled by the full back pairing of Josh Brocklehurst and Jon Moores.

The home side were able to restrict the visitors to snatched efforts and half chances and looked settled at the back.

Sometimes, however, half chances are all a side needs and Chesterfield found themselves two goals behind as the university side demonstrated why they are in the promotion hunt.

Goals from Chris Barnett and Casey Dennis put Warwick two-nil up to leave the hosts rocking.

Arguably, Chesterfield would have lost this game earlier on in the season - as demonstrated by their 6-2 defeat in the away fixture - but they have developed the useful habit of never knowing when they are beaten.

The hosts remained calm and began to play their way back into the game.

Battye pulled a goal back, reacting first to score after the Warwick goalkeeper failed to deal with a low shot from Billy Fouflias.

After further chances came and went for both sides, Battye got his second of the game with a precise finish from the top of the circle to make it 2-2.

Both defences had days to remember in the second half as the scores remained level.

Jon Moores drew an excellent save from Barnes in the Warwick goal and Matt Lloyd proved himself equal to his opposite number with a series of fine saves.

As proceedings wound down it seemed as if the game would end in a draw. Yet there was still time for Chesterfield to have an Adam Bointon goal ruled out late on as the hosts pressed unsuccessfully for a winner. Although the Derbyshire side were satisfied with a draw, their performance certainly warranted more.

Skipper Chris Battye reflected on his goals.

He said: “You’d have to dig into the archives for the last time I managed two in a game, I was in the right place for the first one and I was very happy with the second. Most of my goals are tap ins so the second one is a rarity. We’ve spread the goals around this year, everyone has been chipping in which in pleasing.”

Chesterfield travel to Coalville Town HC next Saturday (February 13).