Funny old game, football. Chesterfield have offered less at times this season than they did in the first half and picked up more to show for their efforts. That said, the second 45 that followed felt like the latest missed opportunity for the Spireites to build some genuine momentum. ⬇️ #Spireites

So, that’s two changes from the XI that started the 3-3 draw at Crewe Alexandra last time out, with Liam Mandeville and Dylan Duffy replacing Ronan Darcy and James Berry respectively. Meanwhile there’s no Janoi Donacien, with Jamie Grimes taking his place on the bench. #Spireites

🎥 Pre-match preview from the SMH Group Stadium, where Chesterfield host Swindon Town in this afternoon’s League Two fixture. Provided by @bensportstory.bsky.social #Spireites

Coming back to this, and think the biggest conflict right now is judging Chesterfield individually vs collectively. The Spireites have quality players (Berry, Zach Hemming, Dilan Markanday, Lee Bonis) hitting good form but not sure that’s totally translated to being a good *team* yet. #Spireites

Another rather puzzling afternoon watching Chesterfield at Crewe Alexandra. Glimpses of their best (a déjà vu-inducing opener from James Berry and sweeping counter for the second amongst them) but also plenty of reminders of their weak points. A difficult team to place right now. #Spireites

Intrigued to see how Gunner Elliott does on loan at Matlock Town. Having been injured earlier in the season, it’s a great opportunity to get up to speed with some (hopefully) regular minutes in a senior environment. Also remains within the @ndrsport.bsky.social patch, which is fun! #Spireites

Watched Saturday’s game back, and wonder if David Artell might play things differently re: subs after the red card in hindsight. Taking Charles Vernam off meant Grimsby Town had a lot more ‘shuffling’ to do, allowing Chesterfield to start connecting those wide triangles more regularly. #Spireites

Had a look into this out of curiosity and the swing in momentum is… pretty clear 😅 Before red card (53rd minute): Shots (xG): ⚫️ 10 (0.98) - 2 (0.27) 🔵 After red card: Shots (xG): ⚫️ 2 (0.16) - 6 (0.61) 🔵 𝙂𝙖𝙢𝙚-𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 🟥 (Source: @optaanalyst.optajoe.com) #Spireites

And that does feel a big win. Against 10 men yes, but the difference in how the Spireites moved up the gears with a man advantage here and in similar circumstances in the 1-0 defeat at Walsall in September was night and day. The task now? Follow it up at Crewe Alexandra next weekend. #Spireites

Not a revelation that red cards change games, but think that was especially true of Christy Pym’s today. Prior to that it was a tight game with Grimsby Town probably in the ascendancy, but the dismissal handed Chesterfield a platform on which they built to their winner. #Spireites

Game ON! ⬇️ #Spireites

Grimsby have now confirmed tomorrow’s game will be subject to a precautionary pitch inspection at 10:30 tomorrow morning. Not particularly surprising, given today’s weather conditions. #Spireites

First leg of a tough triple-header for Chesterfield tomorrow. Grimsby Town lead League Two for xG (26.2) and have the third least xG against (15.3), totalling an again division-leading xGD of +10.9. The Spireites rank 18th (17.1), 15th (20.8) and 18th (-3.6) in those same categories. #Spireites

Neat timing with Chesterfield having played against Liverpool Under 21s in the Vertu Trophy on Tuesday: Nico O’Reilly, who appeared against the Spireites for Manchester City’s youngsters in the competition last year, makes his first start for England tonight. Quite the rise.

Not a huge surprise to see Ryheem Sheckleford depart Chesterfield, joining Aldershot Town on a permanent basis. Always seemed a possibility after he was left off the Spireites’ 22-man squad list despite vacant spaces. A sad day though, as another National League winner departs. #Spireites

Confirmation that it’ll be Doncaster Rovers away for Chesterfield in the Vertu Trophy Round of 32. Tie is slated for w/c December 1; the week building up to these two sides also meeting (albeit in reverse) in the FA Cup second round. What are the chances on that?! #Spireites

As somewhat anticipated, plenty of changes, with Tom Naylor and Liam Mandeville the only remaining starters from Saturday. Bailey Hobson, recently recalled from his loan at National League side Brackley Town, starts. Meanwhile, Liverpool academy graduate Adam Lewis is not in the squad. #Spireites

🎥 Match preview from the SMH Group Stadium, where Chesterfield host Liverpool Under 21s in the group stage of the Vertu Trophy (7PM kick-off.) Provided by @bensportstory.bsky.social #Spireites

Chesterfield swung wildly between the sublime and the shambolic today, so landing in the middle on a draw seems about right. A shame Lee Bonis couldn’t convert at the end; the difference between third and 10th for the Spireites. My take(s) on a crazy afternoon at the SMH Group Stadium. #Spireites

🚨Confirmed Chesterfield team news for this afternoon’s League Two fixture against Accrington Stanley 🚨 XI: Hemming; Daley-Campbell, Dunkley, McFadzean, Gordon; Naylor, Fleck; Markanday, Mandeville, Berry, Bonis SUBS: Boot, Tanton, Donacien, Lewis, Darcy, Duffy, Dickson. #Spireites

🎥 Match preview from the SMH Group Stadium, where Chesterfield host Accrington Stanley in League Two this afternoon. Provided by @bensportstory.bsky.social #Spireites

A welcome home draw for Chesterfield in the FA Cup second round, and a pretty decent one in Doncaster Rovers. The Spireites will need another League One scalp for a coveted Round Three spot, though they did do the double over the eventual fourth-tier champions last season. #Spireites

Having delved into these numbers pre-match, not overly surprised to see this afternoon’s game decided by the odd goal (and one from the penalty spot at that.) Great effort from Chesterfield to ensure they emerged on the right side and secured a second round spot. #Spireites

A rare absence for me today (typical…) but nonetheless pleased to see Chesterfield progress through the FA Cup first round. To beat high-flying, higher-tiered opposition in Stevenage takes commendable effort. A nice confidence-boosting moment for match-winner Lee Bonis, too. #Spireites

Doing my usual research for Chesterfield’s FA Cup tie on Saturday and Stevenage are an interesting case. Despite being 4th in League One (with games in hand) their ‘expected’ numbers have them down in 19th. Strong defending and set-pieces seemingly the key behind that over-performance. #Spireites

Looking ahead to November, and Chesterfield’s schedule sees them travel to Grimsby Town (6th), Crewe Alexandra (9th) and also host Swindon Town (2nd.) Feels like a pretty significant run, particularly with just five points currently separating 1st and 13th in the League Two table. #Spireites

Potentially in the minority, but actually thought that was a decent watch today. Chesterfield’s slightly tweaked midfield played some good stuff, even if they at times struggled to make it show in the final third against a Fleetwood side who certainly battled hard. #Spireites

Two enforced changes to the Chesterfield XI then, as Devan Tanton and James Berry come in for Vontae Daley-Campbell and Tom Naylor (suspended.) Will be interesting to see if the Mandeville, Stirk, Dobra configuration in midfield plays as a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. Dylan Duffy makes the bench. #Spireites

🎥 Your pre-match preview from the SMH Group Stadium, where Chesterfield take on Fleetwood Town in League Two this afternoon. Provided by @bensportstory.bsky.social #Spireites

With Chesterfield light on midfield numbers for Saturday’s game against Fleetwood Town, was thinking back to how they dealt with a similar shortage last season. Not sure how likely it is we’ll see this system again but in the circumstances, you feel it’s an option. #Spireites

The hardest theoretical draw for Chesterfield in the FA Cup first round then, as they face a trip to current League One table-toppers Stevenage. A good test for the Spireites, who beat eventual third-tier champions Portsmouth 1-0 on their way to the third round during the 23/24 season. #Spireites

🎥 Full-time report from the SMH Group Stadium, where Chesterfield have beaten Salford City 2-0 in this afternoon’s League Two fixture. Provided by @bensportstory.bsky.social #Spireites

Good afternoon! It’s another busy Saturday of sport across our region. @bensportstory.bsky.social is at the SMH Group Stadium, where Chesterfield are taking on Salford City in today’s League Two fixture. The pre-match report ⬇️ #Spireites

Vontae Daley-Campbell, Kyle McFadzean, Tom Naylor and Dilan Markanday retain their starting spots from Tuesday night’s Vertu Trophy win against Burton Albion. Meanwhile, midweek match-winner Lee Bonis comes in to lead the line in the absence of the injured Will Grigg. #Spireites

On TONIGHT’S North Derbyshire Radio Friday Night Sports Show from 7-8pm: @bensportstory.bsky.social on Chesterfield James Griffiths on Matlock Town Exclusive interview with Dronfield Town Women manager Dom Anderson Exclusive interview with taekwondo legend Bianca Cook northderbyshireradio.com

Not a massively eventful game but (as said below) after a difficult day for Chesterfield on Saturday, that was far from a bad thing. A win, a clean sheet and a much sturdier defensively display from the Spireites, who now need to carry that into a more intense test on Saturday. #Spireites

Plenty of changes (nine) from the 6-2 defeat at Colchester United, but a nevertheless strong-looking Chesterfield team. John Fleck and Will Dickson are the pair who stay in the side, whilst Janoi Donacien continues his recovery with his first appearance of the campaign. #Spireites

🎥 Pre-match preview of tonight’s Vertu Trophy clash between Chesterfield and Burton Albion, who meet in Group H of the competition’s Northern Section. (7PM kick-off.) Provided by @bensportstory.bsky.social #Spireites

Said here that this had the potential to be an open game; did not expect that to flow so heavily in one direction. Quite alarming how inferior Chesterfield looked today, even in areas where you’d expect them to have some joy. Full credit to Colchester United for their performance. #Spireites

As you’d expect then, it’s a pretty settled squad from the 4-1 win over Newport County last weekend. The only change sees Kyle McFadzean return to the bench, with Adam Lewis making way. Still no Ryan Boot amongst the subs; he had played for the reserves in midweek. #Spireites

🎥 Your match preview of this afternoon’s League Two fixture between Colchester United and Chesterfield. Provided by @bensportstory.bsky.social #Spireites

A not-particularly meaningful but nevertheless interesting quirk: In Max Thompson and Aaron Ramsdale, Newcastle United have two ex-Chesterfield goalkeepers on the bench for their Champions League tie against Union Saint-Gilloise this evening. #Spireites

Good to see Will Grigg offered a contract extension by Chesterfield. Even at 34 he oozes quality, as evidenced by recent contributions against Newport County and Bromley. Past injuries are a slight concern but with Lee Bonis also at the club, you’d hope his minutes can be managed. #Spireites

Returning to this after Saturday, and it was interesting to indeed see Will Dickson in the 10, albeit behind Will Grigg not Lee Bonis (Bonis was on a run of starts around the time of the initial tweet.) Think he added valuable support in and around the otherwise lone striker. #Spireites

Chesterfield’s xG created this season 1️⃣ 2.26 (vs Bristol Rovers) 2️⃣ 1.92 (vs Harrogate Town) 🆕3️⃣ 1.79 (vs. Newport County) 4️⃣ 1.32 (vs Cheltenham Town) 5️⃣ 0.87 (vs Milton Keynes Dons) 6️⃣ 0.81 (vs Crawley Town) 7️⃣ 0.79 (vs Bromley) 8️⃣ 0.62 (vs Gillingham) 9️⃣ 0.40 (vs Barrow) 🔟 0.37 (vs Walsall) #Spireites

🎥 Full-time report from the SMH Group Stadium, where Chesterfield have beaten Newport County 4-1 at the SMH Group Stadium. Provided by @bensportstory.bsky.social #Spireites

Chesterfield returned to winning ways today! @bensportstory.bsky.social has the report 👇 #Spireites northderbyshireradio.com/chesterfield...

Quite a bit to unpack there, then. Four changes (Tanton, Grimes, Fleck, Dickson IN; Daley-Campbell, McFadzean, Naylor, Darcy OUT.) Kyle McFadzean is absent from the squad, whilst there’s still no ‘keeper on the bench. A first Spireites start for Will Dickson. #Spireites

🎥 Pre-match preview from the SMH Group Stadium, where Chesterfield host Newport County in League Two this afternoon. Provided by @bensportstory.bsky.social #Spireites

🚨 TODAY’S ONLINE COVERAGE 🚨 @bensportstory.bsky.social will be reporting from Chesterfield vs Newport County in League Two! #Spireites