The big talking points as Chesterfield slip to defeat against Stockport County

Chesterfield suffered their first defeat in six as they conceded two second-half goals against promotion-chasing Stockport County at Edgeley Park on Saturday.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Strikes from James Jennings and Alex Reid gave the hosts all three points.

Lack of creativity

Before we talk about the referee, let’s look at the game overall. Neither side created much in terms of clear-cut chances but Stockport had more possession and passed the ball better. They were first to loose balls and had more energy and purpose about them but in the first half only Tom Walker’s free-kick tested goalkeeper Grant Smith. Chesterfield were trying to stretch the County defence with balls over the top to Marcus Dinanga and Akwasi Asante but they lacked quality and kept giving possession away as a result. George Carline had the Spireites’ best chance at the far post before half-time but he fluffed his lines. After the break, the Blues improved slightly in an attacking sense as Asante had a shot blocked on the edge of the box, Jak McCourt sent one flying over the crossbar, Dinanga had a deflected effort easily saved and Will Evans blazed over from inside the area but they were really only half chances. Stockport failed to create anything of note until the opener but they were the better side in general play. There was some controversy to the first goal and the second is a mistake. A two-nil scoreline flattered County but if any team deserved to win it was them.

The Spireites lost for the first time in six matches on Saturday against Stockport County.The Spireites lost for the first time in six matches on Saturday against Stockport County.
The Spireites lost for the first time in six matches on Saturday against Stockport County.

The ref

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

James Rowe has previously spoken about how refereeing decisions have cost his side points and he was left frustrated again. Referee Adam Herczeg incorrectly awarded the hosts a throw-in deep inside the Spireites’ half when everyone saw that Haydn Hollis clearly played it off a County man. Having said that, Chesterfield still had a chance to clear their lines before John Rooney assisted Jennings to break the deadlock. Rowe was annoyed because a similar incorrect decision on a throw-in had been made moments before which also nearly resulted in a Stockport goal. They say that these things even themselves out across a season so let’s see.

Let’s not overreact

A two-nil defeat and not the best of performances will have left Spireites fans a bit deflated but I think most people see the bigger picture. This was a tough first week after a third isolation period in two months and it was their first loss in six and only second in 14. It was always going to be a big ask on the back of games against promotion hopefuls Notts County and Altrincham. There would have been some tired legs in the Spireites camp and the Edgeley Park pitch was heavy. Six points from nine is a strong return and one that most people would have snapped your hand off for.

Unwanted record

This was the 99th competitive fixture between the two sides and Stockport have now extended their record to 48 wins, compared to Chesterfield’s 32. This victory was the first time the Hatters have done the double over the Spireites since the 1996/1997 season.

Chesterfield XI (5-3-2): Smith; Carline, Evans, Hollis, Maguire, Taylor; Gunning (M.Smith, 78), McCourt (Mandeville, 68), Weston; Asante, Dinanga (Yussuf, 78). Unused subs: Clarke, Whittle.

Goals: Jennings (59), Reid (81)

Related topics: