ShrewsTRUST Man of the Match
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Chesterfield: Mark Crossley, Mark Little, Aaron Downes, Ian Brekin, Phil Picken (David Perkins 68) (c), Kieran Djilali (Wade Small 85), Mark Allott, Ian Morris, Drew Talbot (Davide Somma 26), Scott Boden, Derek NivenSubs: Tommy Lee, Rob Page, Wade Small, Dan Gray, Davide Somma, Alan Goodall, David Perkins
Town: David Button, Dean Holden, Graham Coughlan (c), Terry Dunfield, Craig Disley, Kelvin Langmead, Dave Hibbert (Kris Bright 86), Steve Leslie, Lewis Neal, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, Kevin McIntyre
Subs: Chris Neal, Omer Riza, Kris Bright, Paul Murray, Harry Hooman, Will Richards, Jon Taylor
Goal: Hibbert
Ref: D Phillips
Assistants: C Harwood & D McCallum
Fourth Official: C Akers
Attendance: 3601 (373)
Paul Simpson sticks with the same side that did so well at Bradford City.The game goes ahead after a couple of pitch inspections and some snow but all looks good as Town look to build on that Bradford performance.
Both sides were trying to get used to the conditions early on and the players didn't look too comfortable on the Saltergate pitch.David Button was the first keeper to be called into action when a shot came in towards the left hand of his goal but Button was equal to it and pulled off a decent stop.
For the first quarter of an hour both sides were looking to pass the ball around and get in behind the opposition.Despite the conditions there was some good football being played and Town were working hard and getting in some important tackles.
Chesterfield had another decent chance on 18 minutes when Ian Morris came inside from the left wing, he took the ball towards Langmead and then nicked it past him to come across the face of goal, he hit in a decent shot from 18 yards out but Button was again equal to it and tipped the ball over the bar.From the resulting corner Button showed his strength to come through everyone to calmly collect the ball.
Town create the best chance to take the early advantage on 21 minutes.The visitors got the ball down and went at Chesterfield, smart passing saw the ball with Disley who then played a lovely one two to put him in on goal, he drew Crossley before stabbing the ball goal wards but it went agonisingly wide of the far post.
Town had another great chance with 10 minutes of the half remaining with another quick break.The came of out defence quickly, the ball was played to Hibbert who let it run to the left hand side to find Lewis Neal, he continued his run towards the by-line before curling in a great ball that found the run of Steve Leslie but he hooked the ball over the bar from long range.
Minutes later though Town were in front with an excellent worked goal.More pressure from the visitors saw the ball with Cansdell-Sherriff on the left, he curled a great ball towards the penalty spot and the run of Hibbert, the Town striker got in front of his marker and put of a foot to flick the ball past Crossley and give Town a 1-0 advantage.
Half-time: 1-0
Town were continuing to push the home side after the restart and had two good sights of the Chesterfield goal.Good pressure saw Holden float a ball into the box, Crossley came for the ball but got nowhere near and Hibbert got in his head first bit the ball was cleared, only as far as Holden who took a touch before curling in a great shot that had Crossley back peddling but he was alert enough to get back and collect.
David Button was having another assured game in the Town goal and he was making a number of important stops.Mark Little ran out of the right back position for Chesterfield, he nicked the ball past Coughlan and kept going, he burst into the box with Langmead covering, the Town defender did enough to hold Little up but he managed to break free and drove in a low shot to the nearpost but Button was out quickly to block.
With over half an hour of the game remaining Town were reduced to 10 men after Dean Holden was adjudged to have been the last man. A weak clearance from Button dropped to Djalali, Dean Holden and Djalali tustled for the ball with the Chesterfield player breaking free, Holden swung a foot and sent Morris flying and ref Phillips had no hesitation in producing a straight red card.
Paul Simpson made his first change of the afternoon with just over 15 minutes remaining on the clock.He handed a debut to youth team Captain Jon Taylor with Lewis Neal coming off, Taylor slotted in around Hibbert to give Town some extra pace in the final third.
Button collected the ball to snuff out another Chesterfield attack but Little was down on the floor looking injured so Button threw the ball into touch.Little jumped up and didn't need treatment so Town expected Chesterfield to throw the ball back, but they didn't and attacked the Town goal but again Button was there to get in an important stop.Button was angry with the Chesterfield player who had taken the throw and after a bit of pushing and shoving the ref booked both Button and Davide Somma.
Chesterfield were throwing everything they could at Town but the visitors were holding strong.Simmo had brought on Jon Taylor and Kris Bright and kept the two of them up front and this was keeping the ball with Town in the final third, a bold move which paid off with 3 points for Town.
Full-time: 1-0
