Darren’s troops are just pure box office
DARREN Sarll praised his Stevenage showmen for putting Chesterfield to the sword and thrilling Broadhall Way.
Matt Godden’s second-half double capped a sublime showing from Sarll’s troops, who returned to winning ways with a five-star showing.
However, the Stevenage chief revealed that he wasn’t surprised by what unfolded.
“I see that quite often, from Monday to Friday – that type of performance, that type of electricity – and it was nice for the supporters to see what I see most days,” said Sarll.
“The coaching this week, as always, has been of a high standard, but the difference being that the players have, after many hours of rehearsal, managed to put on a show-stopping performance when the curtains opened and the lights came down.
“We’re really pleased and it takes us into Boxing Day in a totally different way.”
Meanwhile, defensive reinforcements can’t come soon enough for Chesterfield manager Jack Lester.
This thrashing means the Spireites will spend Christmas in the relegation zone after allowing Stevenage to rack up their first win in nine league games in spectacular fashion.
Lester said: “Our performance wasn’t good enough. We were too easily broken down, although I know we haven’t got a lot of defenders playing in defence.
“I thought Jak McCourt competed well but he’s not a rightback. Scott Wiseman did okay but he’s not a centre-half and Sam Hird got through the game.
“We haven’t got the balance in our squad to cover when the injuries come but January is on the horizon.”
Stevenage were ahead after 13 minutes when Alex Samuel’s dangerous low cross from the right was turned in at the near post by Danny Newton.
Their lead was doubled when Chesterfield captain Ian Evatt misjudged a long ball, allowing Dale Gorman to go through and calmly find the bottom corner.
The Spireites responded well to this setback and pulled a goal back when Kristian Dennis thumped in a header from Andy Kellett’s cross, but they were soon hanging their heads again.
Jak McCourt deflected Newton’s cross into his own net to almost immediately restore the hosts’ two-goal cushion.
The visitors then failed to deal with Terence Vancooten’s long ball, allowing Godden slot home before the same man’s dinked finish completed the rout.