The Spireites were hoping to get back to their winning ways after losing at Cheltenham in midweek, against Bristol Rovers a team that had just beaten two top six teams at home. Jack Lester replaced Richards to partner Gnanduillet upfront in a 4-4-2 formation, Brindley replaced Talbot who missed the game through illness.
Oliver Noburn hit a thunderbolt from 25 yards that hit the post, it looked like Tommy Lee may have got a finger tip on it. Rovers looked comfortable in possession, as the Spireites tried to get into the game. Townsend delivered a dangerous cross into the box, Hird managed to get his head to it, but it was a comfortable save. O'Shea then put in a lovely ball for Togwell who failed to beat the keeper.
Gnanduillet the enthusiastic energetic Ivorian was causing all kinds of problems if he wasn't winning headers, he was chasing defenders, putting in tackles and winning the ball back. Brindley was playing really well and he was putting some dangerous crosses into the Rovers penalty area.
The Spireites had held their own in the first half and were unable to open up a well organised Rovers defence, they needed to improve in the second half if they were going to get anything out of this game.
H.T. 0-0.
The Spireites came out for the second-half more fired up and more determined and it wasn't long before they got a breakthrough. In the 52nd minute, O'Shea drifted inside and hit an absolute thunderbolt of a strike straight into the net from just outside the penalty area, giving the keeper no chance. It had been just over 500 minutes since a Chesterfield player had scored for the Spireites, and god knows how long since they scored one from outside the box.
O'Shea was brimming with confidence, juggling the ball, beating his marker time and time again and setting up attacks. Lester came close to scoring putting his effort narrowly wide after a lovely flick-on by Cooper.
Gnanduillet received the ball on the left, he then beat his marker and then it looked like he was going to knock it square for someone, instead he calmly stroked it into the far corner of the net. He then ran off towards the West Stand held his arms aloft and soaked up the cheers and the applause, his superb individual goal deserved.
Tommy Lee had to be alert when Richards, the Bristol Rovers forward hit a dangerous drive from distance, Lee managed to knock it out for a corner. Gnanduillet went down injured and had to be helped off the pitch by physio Jamie Hewitt. Marc Richards came on and was booed by a few fans in the East Stand, me and a few others were disgusted. The move to the Spireites has so far not worked out for him, but to boo a player before he has kicked a ball is ridiculous. It didn't help his confidence moments later he mis-directed a simple pass.
F.T. 2-0.
Stand Up said:'Gnanduillet made the 'Pirates' walk the plank and the referee was outstanding.'
Gnanduillet was definitely Man of the Match, he never stopped running he didn't give their defence any peace, his goal was worth the admission price alone. Cook has unearthed a gem, he's someone that can turn a match and although he is still raw, he makes up for it with his drive and his enthusiasm. O'Shea had a great game too, constantly beating his marker and keeping the ball moving. Brindley also deserves a mention a natural right-back defensively solid and he put some quality crosses into the danger area.
I must say it's the best Referee we have had so far this season, he tried to keep the play going, he didn't book anybody, instead he just gave the players a telling off.
Paul Cook speaking to the club website said: 'He (O'Shea) needs to shoot more, he needs to show our fans a little bit more of that. His goal was unstoppable and obviously the second goal from Armand is a fantastic goal. From there, the confidence grows and everyone goes home happy.'
Yes we certainly did go home very happy, in the end it was a good performance. The team played with confidence and put some lovely moves together, hopefully they can take this into the next game when they travel to Oxford United.
