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.
9. Louie Marsh 7
Louie Marsh 7: Not as effective as he usually is but was busy and willing as Chesterfield swarmed all over Crewe in the first half. First-half curler the closest he came. Photo: Brian Eyre
10. Josh Koroma 7
Josh Koroma 7: Shouldn't really get a mark for only a few minutes on the pitch. But one touch, one goal? Got to make an exception. The injury thankfully doesn't look serious. Photo: Brian Eyre
11. Fraser Bryden 8
Fraser Bryden 8: His Chesterfield career finally has lift-off. Made one, scored one and made a nuisance of himself. Brings something different to the lone-striker role. Photo: Brian Eyre
12. Dilan Markanday 7
Dilan Markanday (for Koroma 5) 7: Given a rare pew on the subs' bench, was pushed into action much sooner due to Koroma's injury. Hung onto the ball too long in one promising move but forced the own goal and contributed to a torrid first half for the Crewe defenders. Photo: Brian Eyre