CFC

On the home straight

Welcome back my fellow Spireites. Well, what an up and down, roller coaster of a month it's been for the olde emotions. What happened? Let's have a closer look.

New signings: After Ryan Colclough joined the Spireites following Tshimangas departure. Cookie then also signed two additional strikers, Paul McCallum from Dag & Red and Andrew Dallas from Solihull. The fresh blood seems to be finally adding to the promotion push.

Recap: 17th January was the day it all went south, at the West Bromwich FA Cup replay defeat. Before this we were scoring left right and centre, from all over the park. Jeff King was our top scorer for a while. Chesterfield even held the Championship side to a 3-3 draw. There were countless players on town's scoresheet up until that point of the season. But then things dried up. Things are seemingly on the mend now though.

Just in time to still aim for that 3rd place play off spot though. We can kiss goodbye to automatic promotion or even finishing second. Yes, new signing Colclough is starting to find the back of the net with 4 goals in 6 now, but the previous contributors have all stalled. The big question, given the last 6 weeks or so, was why? Was it due to confidence levels dropping from the 4-0 exit from the cup? Did Cook lose the dressing room? Issues behind the scenes? Or is it just a few bad weeks at the office? We don't know. What we do know is, fans weren't happy. Social media was doing what social media does and caused many heated debates between fans. What is certain though is Paul Cook's determination to get us back into the football league. When Cookie does speak to the press he does speak from the heart and in my view that's good. He's as honest as the day is long. He's been here now for just over a year and I still think he's the right guy for the job. Funny, no one was critical of him when we went on our unbeaten runs before the 3rd round exit were they?

Between 24 Jan and 4 March, the Spireites didn't win a game, only scoring 6 goals. Within that time came the two games against Deadpool FC and Notts County. We lost both 2-1 but the Notts Co game, now that was an entertaining home tie! Put simply, Dobra did his best to wind up the travelling fans. Naturally that didn't go down well, well not as easily as Dobra himself did anyway. But having come off the bench Dobra did in fact get on the scoresheet. Oh, and King was sent off. Despite all that - 'It would be the proudest day of my life to take this club back in the Football League' - Paul Cook said after in the post match interview. And against Gateshead we turned the corner, just. Just like the Wrexham game Colclough scored in injury time to steal the win, and his second Spireite goal.

Then 3 days later he claimed his 3rd goal and the winner, against Southend Utd. Both away wins too. But the following home tie against Yeovil we only managed a 1-1 draw from McCullum's penalty straight down the middle. At least this game got played as this was the weekend the snow came, and the frost covers saved the day as well as the amazing volunteers clearing the white stuff to get the game on! Next came the Wealdstone 4-0 win. No that's not a typo it really was a 4 nil away win! With 4 different goalscorers too. This hasn't happened for months. McCallum, Mandeville, Dallas (first Spireite goal) and then Ryan Colclough chipped in the game's fourth, for his 4th goal. At the time of writing, we have just played away at Woking and won 1-0 with a Banks' 37th min penalty. An important 3 points and a clean sheet. So, with only 8 games remaining let's consider the remaining season.

The playoffs: Currently our 5 playoff opponents are Woking, Barnet, Boreham Wood, Eastleigh and Notts County. Personally (woke readers close your eyes here) given the 2-horse race for the automatic promotion spot between Deadpool FC and Notts County, I can't see any other teams getting promoted this season. Yes, I understand the playoff games are similar to the early rounds of the FA Cup where anything is possible. But look at their consistent form. Currently 91 and 90 points a piece with 8 games left to play. And yes, I hear you now saying "last season's playoff winners were Grimsby who finished 6th in the league" but, I just have a feeling they'll both be in League 2 next season. Anyway, regardless of my personal opinion we shall see what occurs in the coming weeks, but I hope the Spireites prove me wrong.

Words & Images: Michael South

Heathscapes

High-level professionals Philip Heath NCH Arb. 01246 568333 | 07800 803131 Email: heathscapes@me.com www.heathscapes.co.uk

HEATHSCAPES ARBORISTS High-level professionals Philip Heath NCH Arb.

HEATHSCAPES ARBORISTS High-level professionals

Philip Heath NCH Arb. 01246 568333 | 07800 803131

Email: heathscapes@me.com www.heathscapes.co.uk

M.J. Wildgoose

Handley Tree Care