Just seven days after a limp defeat at Port Vale and the cancellation of a Sunday off, Chesterfield dealt out a season’s-best thrashing to crestfallen Crewe.
Sparkling in the first half against Colchester in midweek, Paul Cook’s side sparkled in the opening 45 again, only this time furnishing their good football with five goals.
Some Crewe supporters appeared to head for home after seeing their team cut apart four times and it looked like a few more didn’t take their seats for the second half after Liam Mandeville made it 5-0. Credit to those who stuck it out.
Cook’s bolder-than-usual team selection paid dividends.
Of the five players given their chance, Tom Naylor, Fraser Bryden and the irrepressible Mandeville all scored while Tom Pearce and goalkeeper Zach Hemming also stuck up their hands to start again down at Newport on Friday.
It would take a brave man to change things after this.
As Storm Boelo raged, the second half was something of a non-event.
Charlie McNeill’s reply ensured that Crewe at least “won” the second half, scant consolation for a team which started the day third in League Two.
Their manager, Lee Bell, joined Colchester’s Danny Cowley in saying Chesterfield were the best team they have played this season.
Here’s our ratings from the game.
5. Tom Pearce 7
Tom Pearce 7: First start of the season for the left-back and he coped well. Joined in further forward when he could and also helped keep the back door shut as the attackers took the game away from Crewe. Substituted after an hour. Photo: Cameron Smith
6. Tom Naylor 8
Tom Naylor 8: Johnny-on-the-spot to tap Chesterfield into the lead and the goal really settled him. Helped his team call the shots in midfield on his first start of the season. Also handed the captaincy to boot. Photo: Brian Eyre
7. George McEachran 7
George McEachran 7: Took it, gave it, picked the right options in tight spaces. Kept the team ticking. Photo: Brian Eyre
8. Liam Mandeville 9
Liam Mandeville 9: 300th league appearance for Chesterfield and this must be one of his best. Two delicious deliveries led to two of the goals and scored a lucky one himself. Deserved it. Ran the midfield. Photo: Tina Jenner