Chesterfield 1 Millwall 2: Morsy announces he's leaving Spireites after scoring on his 99th appearance

Sam Morsy hit the back of the net and then hit the headlines after the match announcing that he was leaving Chesterfield.
Sam Morsy celebrates scoring during what he says is his farewell appearance. Picture James WilliamsonSam Morsy celebrates scoring during what he says is his farewell appearance. Picture James Williamson
Sam Morsy celebrates scoring during what he says is his farewell appearance. Picture James Williamson

The 24-year-old put Spireites ahead midway through the first half with a stunning long-range strike only to see Millwall level within two minutes and, early in the second period, bag what turned out to be the winner on a day the hosts were the better team.

The former Port Vale midfielder, making his 99th league appearance for the club, was voted Fans’ Man of the Match and as he received his award in the club’s corporate lounge, he somewhat unconventionally thanked the Chesterfield fans for their support over the last two and a half seasons and announced that he wasn’t going to reach a century of games for Spireites.

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Whilst Morsy didn’t say publicly where he was off to, Wigan Athletic are believed to be the club where he’ll end up.

To carry on the unconventional transfer saga, club director Ashley Carson entered the debate on the main message board that discusses the club stating: “For the record there have been a few enquiries for Sammy including Wigan, but still no official offers on the table from anyone.”

In a later post Carson added: We are not in a position to just throw away a significant sum to keep him for the next few months. Great player and will be a great loss, but business is business and when we run out of money at the end of the month, how many of you will have a whip round to pay the clubs wages, approx £200,000 every month.”

Morsy scored during a spell of superb Chesterfield pressure; he had gone close from 25 yards earlier on whilst Lee Novak and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake both got themselves into great positions but just couldn’t finish off the job.

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But the Lions, who had lost on their last five visits to Chesterfield, immediately hit back as Shane Ferguson crossed for Aiden O’Brien to head home amidst some poor home defending. Spireites were soon back on top but were unable to regain the lead.

Steve Morison forced a save 20 seconds after Spireites restarted the game and Lions immediately won the ball back as Chesterfield sought to build the next attack and Jed Wallace slipped the ball through to Lee Gregory, who neatly finished for the goal that put his side into the top six.

The rest of the game was fast and frenetic with both sides creating plenty of chances, Millwall keeper Jordan Archer making fine stops to deny Morsy and sub Byron Harrison whilst Tommy Lee pushed a Morison effort on to the bar.

Danny Wilson said: “When you have that type of performance, you expect to come out away with something but if you defend like we did, you don’t deserve anything. For the goals, the back lads were loose, weren’t coherent with each other and that cost us in the end.”

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Chesterfield: Lee 6, O’Neil 7, Raglan 7, Hird 7, Talbot 6 (Dieseruvwe 87), Ariyibi 5 (Gardner 65, 7), Morsy 8, Donohue 7, O’Shea 6, Novak 7, Ebanks-Blake 6 (Harrison 72). Subs (not used): Chapman, Humphreys, Onovwigun, Simons.

Goal: Morsy 25

Millwall: Archer 7, Cummings 6, Webster 8, Beevers 7, Ferguson 6 (Martin 76), Wallace 7, Abdou 5, Williams 7, O’Brien 6 (Upson 78), Gregory 7 (Onyedinma 88), Morison 7. Subs (not used): Forde, Nelson, Thompson, Marquis.

Goals: O’Brien 27, Gregory 47

Booked: Morison (Millwall)

Ref: Chris Sargison (West Midlands)

Attendance: 7078 (854 from Millwall)