Bash and grab as Spireites denied by Del of a finish
YOU don’t always get what you deserve in football – and Tom Dele-bashiru’s 95th-minute winner was desperately cruel on Chesterfield.
Watford boss Valerien Ismael revealed it took a half-time rollicking to transform the sluggish Hornets as the National League leaders came within seconds of a replay.
On Graham Taylor Matchday – in memory of their greatest manager who died aged 72 seven years ago – for 45 minutes Watford unfurled a dismal tribute.
Taylor would have hated everything about their application before the break – strolling, complacent, shirking tackles, little end product.
And Ismael admitted he had delivered a “loud” message at the break.
He said: “We were far away from our level in the first half.
“On Graham Taylor Day it was important to start 2024 with a win in our first home game of the year and it is non-negotiable to play below our standard.
“Yes, I had to be loud at half-time and I wanted answers. The second half was much better.”
Apart from Miguel Freckleton’s vital block to thwart Yaser Asprilla after five minutes, and Spireites keeper Dan Boot denying Ismael Kone with a sprawling, smothering save, Chesterfield were resolute and comfortable until they went ahead in the 28th minute.
Ryheem Sheckleford surged to the dead-ball line
WATFORD Rajovic 76, Dele-bashiru 90 and crossed for the unmarked Joe Quigley to nod in his eighth goal of the season.
It looked as if they would hold out until the 76th minute, when substitute Mileta Rajovic met Asprilla’s cross with a near-post header to equalise.
Even then Spireites sub Ryan Colclough spurned a glorious chance, nodding wastefully over from Ash Palmer’s header back across the six-yard box.
And it was so harsh on the visitors when Delebashiru finished crisply to send Watford into the fourth round for the first time since 2019, when they went on to reach the final.
Heartbroken Chesterfield assistant boss Danny Webb said: “It was a sickener, a kick in the teeth.
“We were 15 minutes away from an upset but when the dust settles, if we win our league game on Wednesday night we will go nine points clear.
“Our 4,000 fans have had a cracking day out.”
WATFORD: Bachmann 5; Dele-bashiru 7, Sierralta 5, Hoedt 5, Morris 6; Chakvetadze 5 (Louza (70) 5), Livermore 6, Kone 5 (Andrews (46) 7); Asprilla 6, Healey 5 (Rajovic (70) 6), Martins 5 (Hurtado (70) 6) CHESTERFIELD: Boot 8; Sheckleford 7, Freckleton 7, Palmer 7, Horton 7; Naylor 7, Oldaker 7 (Jones (84) 6), Mandeville 7 (Berry (84) 6); Banks 7 (Jacobs (64) 6), Dobra 7 (Colclough (74) 6), Quigley 8 (Grigg (74) 6) STAR MAN: Dan Boot – Fine saves, sure handling and calm distribution from the Spireites goalkeeper.
Gavin Ward 7