Wycombe Wanderers v Chesterfield FC Report
Chesterfield left frustrated after 1-0 defeat at Adams Park.
The only goal of the game came from the penalty spot, after Max Kretzschmar calmly converted past Chesterfield goalkeeper Tommy Lee. Apart from that, very few opportunities were created by either side for the remainder of this contest.
Spireites boss Paul Cook made one change from Tuesday’s fixture against Fleetwood in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, with Eoin Doyle taking the place of Marc Richards.
In the opening moments, Anthony Jeffrey struck the ball on the half-volley, but his effort sailed wide of Lee’s post. Matt Bloomfield fired a shot high and wide of the crossbar from distance when he should have at least challenged the goalkeeper.
The hosts’ captain, Stuart Lewis, received a yellow card with 24 minutes on the clock as a consequence of a late and forceful challenge on Sam Morsy. Jay O’Shea latched onto a loose ball inside the opposition’s area, but his effort was magnificently blocked by Lewis.
The home side were then awarded a penalty on 34 minutes, after Ian Evatt was guilty of a blatant hand-ball. Kretzschmar stepped up to take the spot-kick and converted with ease to the right-hand side of Lee. On the stroke of half-time, Matt McClure was booked for a late elbow on Sam Hird.
The away side made one change at the break, with Armand Gnanduillet taking the place of O’Shea.
After the restart, the Chairboys were forced into making a substitution due to an arm injury sustained by Gary Doherty that led to Anthony Stewart entering proceedings. Doyle was next to enter the referee’s notebook following a late challenge on Sam Wood.
Just before the hour mark, either side made an alteration. The hosts’ Jeffrey was replaced by Paris Cowan-Hall, whilst Doyle was removed from the action for Richards to enter the field. This particular contest had a stop-start theme to it, with the referee being immensely consistent with his whistle.
With 25 minutes left to play, the Spireites had the ball in the back of the net courtesy of Evatt’s header at the back post, although the linesman’s flag was already raised for off-side. Only seconds had passed before Dan Gardner took to the field in place of Hird.
The home side limited the visitors to minimal chances in the second half, with their defence holding firm. On 78 minutes, Reece Styche entered the fray at the expense of McClure.
Kretzschmar fed the ball through to Cowan-Hall, but Lee reacted quickest and gathered possession for his side. Chesterfield’s first real shot at goal in the second period came with 86 minutes on the clock, although Gary Roberts put the ball straight into the arms of Matt Ingram.
It was then announced that there would be five minutes of additional time.
The visitors’ Tendayi Darikwa was booked for a rash challenge on a member of the opposition, only seconds prior to the referee bringing the game to a close.
