IT’S A SAME OLD STORY!
CHESTERFIELD secured their 21st home win of 2023 with a scintillating performance to see off playoff hopefuls Aldershot Town.
The Spireites even survived an early scare when Josh Stokes fired the Shots into a shock third kinute lead, only for Darren Oldaker’s free-kick to level two minutes later.
Then, in the second half, Ryan Colclough, Will Grigg and Armando Dobra rounded off a 19th league victory for Paul Cook’s side this season.
Chesterfield assistant manager, Danny Webb, said: “We’ve just got to keep going. We’re averaging nearly 2.6 goals a game. The points total we’ve got at this point is crazy. There’s a long way to go. It’s important though that the supporters enjoy the here and now.”
The Shots stunned the home crowd when Tyler Frost’s whipped cross was cleared as far as Stokes, who lashed home from closerange.
But, two minutes later, Dobra was brought down on the edge of the area and Oldaker hammered an effort past the helpless Jordi Van Stappershoef.
The Spireites then took control as they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, although chances were created at both ends.
Haji Mnoga’s goal bound effort for Aldershot was deflected away for a corner via the head of captain Jamie Grimes, while Chesterfield’s Ash Palmer nodded back to find Dobra but his shot was cleared off the line by Kwame Thomas.
Grigg had a pretty quiet first half but almost nipped in with a goal as he latched onto Ryheem Sheckleford’s cross. His header, which was under pressure by Coby Rowe, drifted wide of the goal.
Despite having more of the ball, Chesterfield had to be alert early in the second half – keeper Harry Tyrer getting down well to parry Stokes’ driven effort.
The home crowd began to grow frustrated with the scores level as Grigg shot wide of the post before Michael Jacobs forced Van Stappershoef into a smart save.
However, on 65 minutes, the hosts finally found a way through when Colclough teed himself up with an opening on the edge of the box before flashing an effort into the right corner for his first goal since September.
Eight minutes later, it was 3-1 as substitute James Berry’s cross was fumbled into the patch of Grigg, who fired home from close-range.
And with seconds left, Tom Naylor found Dobra and the winger lashed the ball into the back of the net from six yards out.
Aldershot Town assistant manager Hugo Langton said: “You’ve got to remember how well we’ve done up until this point. We’ve had a bump in the road.
“Chesterfield are an excellent side and I fully expect them not just to win the league but do so very comfortably.”
STAR MAN: Darren Oldaker (Chesterfield)
ATT: 8,320
ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★
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