Latest from the final day of 2018 in the National Leagues
Kids dig deep for big point
JOHN PEMBERTON gave the long-suffering Chesterfield fans a glimpse of a better future while confirming that his own tenure in one of the hottest managerial seats will be short.
The academy boss, thrust into the role of caretaker manager following the sacking of Martin Allen on Thursday, saw teenagers Jamie Sharman and Luke Rawson help turn the tide against a polished Hartlepool United side.
Pemberton’s ‘plan B’ after he matched up Pools with three at the back worked a treat as Bradley Barry scored a deserved 75th-minute equaliser after man of the match Luke James had given the visitors the lead.
It could have been even better as 17-year-old Rawson lashed a shot over a gaping goal with his first touch before better showcasing his potential with an excellent turn inside the box and another shot just wide of the target.
Meanwhile, Sharman slotted into his defensive role with aplomb as Chesterfield grabbed an important point despite being completely outplayed in the first half.
“I see my role as providing good, young players for this club,” said Pemberton, who joined Chesterfield only three months ago.
“We had four academy products in the team today and I can promise the fans there are more coming through. I want to be here long term and, if I became manager, that would not necessarily be the case.”
Pemberton said he toyed with playing his preferred formation from the start, but instead saw the visitors flow through the first period almost unchallenged
After Josh Hawkes and Ryan Donaldson warmed Callum Burton’s hands from long range, Hawkes failed to get any power in his 19th-minute shot after being set up by James’ driving run.
Pools’ striker lost his shinpads early on, but the Spireites failed to leave a mark on him all game as he caused countless problems with his close control and elusive running.
Hawkes was marginally off target from the edge of the area in the 27th minute after good play by Niko Muir, and defender Carl Magnay bundled another chance wide from close range five minutes later.
Pools’ goal came following Chesterfield’s best spell, which saw Joe Rowley’s dangerous shot deflected over.
Porous defending, which has blighted Chesterfield’s season, allowed Liam Noble to drive through the middle and James found the corner with an angled right foot shot.
The same pattern threatened to persist after the break, before Pemberton’s double substitution in the 56th minute changed the flow of the game.
Referee David Richardson waved away reasonable penalty shouts when Lee Shaw appeared to be tripped by Harvey Rodgers. And Muir almost cashed in, blazing over with a more than acceptable chance at the other end.
Rawson’s near-misses at least raised the temperature and Barry, pushed further forward, found just enough to drill in a priceless equaliser.
There was a headed chance at either end in added time for Rodgers and Barry, but a draw was a fair result.
Hartlepool boss Richard Money said: “You’ve got to give them a lot of credit for pushing us back in the last half hour, but we should have been out of sight by then.
“I’m looking for this team to have an identity and we showed a lot of quality in the first half.”
The same kind of passing football also appeals to Pemberton, who said: “I want us to play better football.
“The lads were all for it, but conceding at that stage could have been a killer.
“I’m pleased with the way we recovered in the second half.”