Superb Spireites beat Northampton.
13th January 2013
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The Spireites were looking to bounce back after 2 defeats, it wasn't going to be easy against Northampton, a team who had won their last 3 league games. Cook gave Clay a start and he was put in midfield, to partner Togwell just in front of the defence. Whitaker started on the left of an attacking trio of Darikwa and O'Shea who has just signed a permanent deal with the club, they played just behind Richards who continued to play the lone striker role.

 

The big talking point this week was who would replace Talbot at Right Back, Cook had ruled out playing transfer listed Forbes. It was Hird that was moved into the right back position. The surprise was who replaced Hird in Centre Defence, it was transfer listed Trotman.  It was a clever move by Cook, he decided to put him in to stop their big Attacker Akinfenwa, because of Trotmans size, strength and aerial ability that he felt he could stop him.

 

When the line-up was announced and Trotman had his name read out, a few boos came out of the Kop. You should never boo a player that is representing your team, it's disrespectful to the player, after all he is representing your team. If you have a problem with him voice it in the pub or on the message board.

 

The worst kit of the season goes to Norhampton, I thought the stewards had taken their place, an awful lime green colour. A well taken free-kick by Richards was saved by the keeper. Whitaker looking lively on the left found O'Shea with a lovely ball, he turned and slotted the ball home, to give the Spireites the lead.

 

Moments later Richards pounced on a poor clearance from Carlisle to slot home calmly and put the home side 2-0 up. Northampton just couldn't cope with the pace, quick passing and movement from the Spireites. They were struggling to cope with the lively O'Shea the strength and power of Richards and the speed and trickery of Darikwa.

 

In the 25th Minute Darikwa produced a lovely ball for Richards, he used his strength to hold off Langmead and then produce a lovely finish with his left foot. The kop chanted 'He scores when he wants, super Marc Richards he scores when he wants.'

 

It was great to see him score a brace after hitting the woodwork in both of his previous 2 games, hopefully he can go on a run now and fire the team into the play-off places.

 

H.T. 3-0.

 

The 2nd half Northampton came out fired up determined to get back into the game. The Spireite defence stood firm, Trotman winning everything in the air, Cooper showing his usually calmness and composure and Tommy Lee was there if called upon.

 

The Spireites didn't add to the score, although created plenty of chances.  What was also pleasing was the clean sheet they kept.

 

F.T. 3-0.

 

A pleasing performance from the whole team, they were ruthless in front of goal and punished Northampton for their defensive frailties. If the Spireites can keep producing this ruthless streak and be clinical in front of goal, they will be in contention for promotion.

 

My Man of the Match was Darikwa, he never stopped running and kept coming back to help the defence, he pinched the ball from a Northampton Attacker and kicked it out to safety. He also showed coolness and maturity when in a good position and not much space he took his time and found Whitaker with a clever ball, that he should have scored with.

 

Stand Up gave the Man of the Match to Trotman, he produced a great performance, winning everything in the air and did his job of keeping Akinfenwa quiet, in the end he was subbed. Stand Up couldn't believe that some of the fans in the kop were chanting his name, the same fans that had booed him at the start of the game. But then that's credit to Trotman for winning them over.

 

Stand Up feels that Trotman was treated unfairly by the club, he was promised by Sheridan that he would keep the Captains armband for this season, only for him to promise it to another player in order to sign him. He feels that's why he suffered a loss of form and a crisis of confidence. Hopefully now under Cook he will get the chance to show what he can produce. Maybe he will get a start at Torquay, where he would come face to face with another big forward in the shape of Howe.

 

Cook talking to the club website said: 'I don't usually single players out for praise because if you play for a club like this then I expect you to be good. But I thought Neal Trotman was absolutely magnificent today. He was a credit to himself to come back in after being out of the side for so long and give a performance like he did, he deserves a special pat on the back. "

 

High praise indeed from the manager but much deserved, he showed great character guts and determination and he should be very proud of himself.

 

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dean f

Member since: 19th September 2012

I'm a big fan of the Spireites and follow them up and down the Country. I got into writing blogs when I was picked to do a blog for the Derbyshire Times for a year, which I really enjoyed. All the views...

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