All of yesterday’s action from the National Leagues
JAMES Rowe’s Chesterfield returned from their Covid break with a tactical masterclass that completely confounded in-form Notts County.
Gavin Gunning’s free kick gave Spireites a deserved first half lead and they held on comfortably at Meadow Lane – even having the luxury of spurning three late golden chances.
With Notts flying high and Chesterfield sidelined for three weeks, the visitors survived a scary start with three Magpies efforts flying over their bar inside the opening five minutes.
Yet the third snap shot from Ruben Rodrigues that went too close for comfort proved to be the last time Grant Smith’s goal was seriously threatened all afternoon as Rowe’s men soon seized an iron-like grip.
Their direct style gave good service to lively strikers Akwasi Asante and Marcus Dinanga who gave the Notts defence a torrid time with their slick movement and impressive hold up play.
“I’m proud of everyone in that dressing room, it’s just a shame our fans didn’t get a chance to see it,” said Rowe. “It’s a great win for us after spending 30 days out of the last 55 on the sidelines.
“I thought we dominated the first half and there was just a spell at the start of the second where we tired a bit.
“But we adapted really well to Notts’ changes and had the chances at the end to seal it.”
Spireites looked a totally different proposition to the one beaten 3-0 at Meadow Lane last term although Rowe modestly played down their chances of challenging Notts in the play-off places.
“People are beginning to say we’re this many points off, but it’s a case of one game at a time,” he said. “We have to push on, push though and keep our foot on the throttle.”
County’s lacklustre display was put in perspective by Ardley who was disappointed to be undone at a set piece.
Chesterfield launched nine corners and a series of long throws into the home box in the first half, yet it was Gunning’s freekick fired into the mix that settled the issue. Former
Notts defender Haydn Hollis, who had a fine game, tried to get his head on it, but it flew untouched beyond keeper Luke Pilling.
“I thought we started well for the first ten minutes before they pinned us back,” said Ardley.
“We needed to defend the set pieces to give us a chance to regroup – but we didn’t. I’m not though going to slaughter the players. We’re in a long run of games and I always knew we would lose one or two.
“I thought we were better in the second half but lacked that bit of quality.
“It was huff and puff without creating enough.
“Credit to the opposition. They were very good. They came with a plan and it worked well for them.”
Notts failed to put a shot on target as Spireites did more than hold on.
Asante fired over when Michael Doyle’s misplaced pass gave him his chance for a deserved goal, defender Laurence Maguire chose the wrong option and also missed the target and substitute Adi Yussuf was denied one-on-one by Pilling from the game’s last kick.
Akwasi Asante (Chesterfield) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Andrew Kitchen