SPIREITES PAY HUGE PENALTY
ENZIO BOLDEWIJN’S special moment for the TV cameras and a Kyle Wootton double ensured relegation-haunted Chesterfield paid a full penalty for spurning their big chance at Meadow Lane.
For although the play-off chasers ended overwhelming winners, this televised clash turned on Scott Boden’s disappointing spot kick just before the break.
In a moment of irony for the Spireites and caretaker boss John Pemberton, it was Ross Fitzsimons, the goalkeeper involved in a tug-of-war between the clubs, who denied the striker with a good save. But Boden made it too easy with a tame penalty almost straight down the middle after his initial flick had seen defender Richard Brindley tug back the outstanding Dave Buchanan. Fitzsimons had been on loan at Chesterfield but did not play.
In all fairness, Notts had already hit the woodwork twice through Connell Rawlinson’s header and an excellent Boldwijn free-kick and were well worth their three points.
Boldewijn, whose crosses had caused panic in the Chesterfield defence, then took full responsibility to turn the game in the 52nd minute.
He sprinted forward before unleashing a fearsome 25-yarder that ripped into the roof of the net – every bit as good as his other strike in front of the live cameras against Barnet in August.
The promising Callum Roberts provided the opening for the decisive second seven minutes later with a precise right-wing cross for Wootton to nod past Shwan Jalal.
Tom Denton hit the bar with a spectacular 25-yarder as Chesterfield began to sense this wasn’t their night.
And any lingering hopes they had disappeared when Boldewijn’s low shot was poorly handled by Jalal and Wootton had a simple chance to make it three.
Pemberton’s men kept going until the end but by then Notts were knocking the ball around with a confidence and arrogance they haven’t always had in front of their loyal home fans. “We felt a bit hard done by losing in front of the cameras at Chesterfield, so this put it right,” said Notts boss Neal Ardley.
“The thing that pleased me most was our defensive performance. We knew we had to defend our box well with the big man up front and we did just that. Defending well gave the Enzios of our team the chance to win the game.”
Caretaker boss Pemberton, who suffered his first defeat since taking over from John Sheridan, said: “We’ve got to pick ourselves up. The penalty was a turning point. I thought we started well and deserved the penalty – but these things happen.
“I’m disappointed with the three goals after the work we’d done during the week,” he added.