FL2: Chesterfield v Torquay United 16th Jan 2010

love Hargreaves picture. Is the opposition player trying to get a foot up ;D

Good performance today and definitely deserved at least a draw. In the second half in particular we created so many good situations but had one cleared off the line, one saved brilliantly by their keeper, hit the post, and twice we got to the by line only to knock the ball out with players waiting in the middle. Worst of all was the disallowed goal..I couldn't see how Thomson could be offside (but it was at the other end) when the Chesterfield player deflected the ball into his path.

The back four were as solid today as they were sloppy at Accrington. Robbo and Charnock in particular dealt with everything superbly and Adam Smith was possibly our best player in the second half going forward.

The one misfit was Rendell. He looked a non league player, no pace, no touch. I can only imagine that Zebs was the one subbed due to injury/illness.

If we play like this for the rest of the season we'll be more than OK.

Did Eunan have enough time to impress? I gather he got 5 minutes or so at the end?

Well, another trip up to the bleak north midlands and yet more disappointment. I was in two minds to go or not because of the weather and because of the state of the pitch. Still it's only a 2 hour 10 minute journey up the motorway, which coincidently is quicker than the train and costs me less in petrol even with my railway discount on a standard open return. I had a couple of reserve games just in case of a late postponement. Sheffield United V Middlesbrough looked the most likely.

I got to Chesterfield quite early after passing through a daft roundabout system and the famous crooked spire. Apparently it was built just 12 years after the Black Death and the crookedness is down to fact that there was a shortage of skilled craftsmen. It's quite a pleasant town really. The town centre is full of beam fronted buildings. I parked opposite the Town Hall a few minutes walk from the ground and had a couple of pints of Youngers Bitter in a pub called The Industry a two minute walk from the away end.

I then headed to the ground and paid my 16 quid. Saltergate is a bit of a mess really. Uttertly unique and rather quaint but it's a real old school ground that's probably hardly changed since the 1960s. The stewards were extremely friendly and jovial. During the usual search of the bags one steward made light of the situation by asking us if we were carrying any bombs or hand grenades. Not the usual humourless gits you normally get doing that job. We were told that the open terrace wasn't going to be open, but I was surprised to see wooden benches. That's a first for me at a football match I have to say. The view wasn't too bad apart from a supporting pillar which was as irritating as much or as little as you wanted to make it.

The game kicked off. We started quite brightly. Wroe, Rendell and Zebroski linked up well but either the final ball was lacking or the wrong run was made at the wrong time. We continued to look the more potent side especially the pace of Zebroski worrying their ex Welsh International Robert Page, who seems to be continuing the Chesterfield traditional of fielding a big ugly bald centre half after replacing Steve Blatherwick, who was ugly baldy supreme at Saltergate for a while.

Then a cross from Wroe found Rendell who pulled away from his marker got in a decent header which caught the inside of the post and then went across the whole goal with home goalkeeper Tommy Lee completely helpless. We should've scored. Then a clever run from Rendell caught the whole Chesterfield back line napping but as he delayed the cross for the supporting Zebroski and Thomson he seemed to be caught in two minds before knocking in a truly awful ball that only found grass on the other side of the penalty area.

They had a couple of chances. Conlon had a weak header saved by Poke and their two wingers Ian Morris (on loan from Scunthorpe) and Dominic Green (signed yesterday on loan from Peterborough) looked dangerous.

Our wingers in comparison both had poor games I though. Carlisle had one of those games where nothing came off and the pitch seemed to negate the extra pace Thomson usually provides. Personally I would have swapped them around earlier than around the 80th minute when Eunan O'Kane replaced a recently booked and very angry Chris Hargreaves.

The second half was a bit more even in terms of possesion and territory but we still posed the greater threat. Thomson seemed to beat the offside trap and scored with an excellent finish only to be ruled offside (see the third Pinnacle photo Dave posted). I have to say we were down the other end of the pitch but the ball seemed to take either a touch off their right back or it hit a bobble very near him. But the woman assistant referee gave it offside and that was that. Bloody women. I've always said they should have nothing to do with football apart from heat pies up, make hot drinks and wash the players kit. Just joking ladies. There's just as many blokes who know flip all about football!

So Benyon on for Zebroski. For me he was the poorer out of the two forwards and the pitch seemed to rob him of the quick turns and quick changes in direction he normally makes. Rendell was the more reliable option but on came Benyon to some howls of derision and a few Buckle baiting comments. "How can you take off a striker who cost 25 grand?" was one comment. "Buckle you are f**king clueless" was another. These comments came from the same people who were on Rendell's back after the first heavy touch on a poor pitch. Sills would've got that, Sills would've crossed that one better. Bollocks. Sills would've have been 10 yards behind. Stuff like this really really pees me off. Why is it some people always need something to blame or think they know better than a professional football manager?

It's my experience on days like today that the whole blame culture element just shoots itself in the foot with utterly stupid comments when there really is no one to blame apart we failed to score when handed 3 great chances. But we came bloody close. A hit post, a goal ruled out and then a fantastic reaction save from Tommy Lee saved them plus even a header off the line towards the end of the game. Yes its a game we should've won. We went the right way about it on a poor pitch and came very close to getting the win that we fully deserved.

Maybe its me. Perhaps I don't get upset enough at football matches anymore but I fail to see how howling at the linesman, the ref, our own players or sticking two fingers up to Paul Buckle as he's walking off is really going to provide anything constructive. Neither is using Tim Sill's departure as a way of getting on Rendell's back. Move on. He's gone. He gave us great service but he doesn't play for us anymore. Now get behind Rendell, Buckle and the rest of the team.

Man of the match for us was probably Adam Smith although I wouldn't argue with Chris Robertson or Kieran Charnock. Smith was excellent all game and showed more attacking threat than Thomson. I'm very glad he's on loan with us. Robertson must be the most improved player of the season so far and Charnock still looks like a quality signing.

Eunan O'Kane came on with 10 minutes or so to go. Early days but he looks like he has a good first touch, ability on the ball, enough pace to beat an opponent and passes the ball quite well.

Anyway a few pictures from today.........


































































Plus idiots on the motorway who stick on the fog lights when visibility is still pretty good.

Yes, isn't Saltergate a wonderfully shambolic old place? Indeed, being roughed up into a "period piece" for the filming of the Damned United might have even improved it. And, of course, the utter greyness of today's weather - complete with fog-shrouded floodlights and piled snow around the surrounds - added to the old-time feel of the occasion (lacking, perhaps, only the whiff of Woodbines).

By contrast, after looking at today's programme and a local map, I suspect that - next season - we might be discussing an identikit stadium along the lines of Shrewsbury (right down to convoluted walking and driving routes no doubt). Never mind, it's not too far out of town and Chesterfield will still be a worthwhile place to visit.

The "Karen Child" Kop - apparently Karen Child is a local lottery winner who will also be sponsoring a stand at the new gaff.

And, from today's programme, a feature on ex-Chesterfield player Martin Wright who briefly played for us in the 1970s. Apparently he was on holiday in Torquay when we tracked him down to his hotel and got him to sign for us. He says he didn't enjoy his time at Plainmoor and that "a lot of the players were ageing superstars" (really?). He's sixty this year and now works as warehouse manager.



No Chris, it's not just you. Some people might call it "passion" but it seems to me that getting over-upset, seeking a grievance and looking for scapegoats is an essential part of the "football experience" for a fair number of people. The football supporter's "blame culture" leaves me rather cold I'm afraid.

Is that my profile you've caught in some of those splendid pictures?

He was behind Mike Trebilcock and Robin Stubbs in the strikers' pecking order.

Fantastic pictures and you captured the day really well-thanks. I dont know how you do it....it takes all my energy/brain power to concentrate on the game/day without the worry of having a "box brownie" around my neck ;D. Thanks again