Whilst witnessing the defeat of Chesterfield FC by Basingstoke at Saltergate on Saturday, staff of International Consultancy Group Scott Wilson's Chesterfield office did at least have the comfort of a different win. During half-time at Saltergate they celebrated a win of their own, in a no less passionate amateur match against their colleagues and rivals from the company's Basingstoke office. The inaugural presentation of the Scott Wilson Challenge Cup was presented to the 4 - 1 victors in front of the home and away supporters at the FA Cup game.
Both teams graced the Saltergate turf at half time.Caleb Folan from Chesterfield FC presented Gary Hurrell with the Scott Wilson Challenge Cup,
"We were absolutely delighted to be presented as winners, especially to the crowds at Saltergate," says Scott Wilson Chesterfield team member Neil Robertson. "We organised the game in tribute to the FA Cup match, but it was also a great opportunity to get together with our friends from different parts of the company for some friendly rivalry. In our own way we have held Chesterfield's head high against Basingstoke."
Scott Wilson's Chesterfield office had another reason to celebrate - it's the 25th Anniversary of the consultancy having an office in the town. "We're very proud to be in Chesterfield and we felt that playing Basingstoke, which is our UK headquarters and another key office within the group was a very apt way to mark the occasion," adds Neil.
Scott Wilson had a keen interest in the FA Cup game too. Their Chesterfield team sponsored the match ball for the big game whilst the Basingstoke office sponsored Basingstoke Town FCs shirts.
Scott Wilson is one of Chesterfield's largest employers (300 staff) and one of Basingstoke largest employers (450 staff) as well. It is a multi-disciplinary engineering, environmental and planning consultancy that delivers expert, inspiring and sustainable solutions that meet the planning, engineering and environmental needs of our clients. We have 2200 professional engineering, environmental and urban planning staff across the UK, 300 of which are at Basil Close, Chesterfield designing such major infrastructure schemes as the M1 widening scheme between Junctions 10 and 13; Sheffield Student Village; Schools in Doncaster and new wards at Sheffield Northern General Hospital amongst many other projects. We have over 30 offices in the UK and a total of 66 offices worldwide.
Match Report
The Teams Scott Wilson
Following a quick change, photo session and roar from the 20 plus crowd, the game was well poised to start.
From the kick off, the friendly match atmosphere was set as Basingstoke immediately went on the attack, which required solid defending by the skipper Gary Hurrell who stopped the attacker in his tracks! The match was all attack for both teams and Chesterfield took the lead after 15 mins. The ball was played through the middle first from Sam Youdan to Dave Thornton who released Lee Barnes to finish powerfully, putting the ball beyond the Basingstoke keeper. Good work from Dave Kitchen and goalie Neil Robertson kept the Basingstoke forwards out until Chesterfield scored again. On 30 mins Charlie Salisbury released Andy Yates down the left flank, Andy's run took him down the left wing before cutting inside and drilling the ball across the goal, the ball cannoned off of a defender straight past the Basingstoke keeper.
Half Time Chesterfield 2 Basingstoke 0
Changes were made at half time and substitute keeper Ryan Onion picked up the goalie shirt. He was called upon almost immediately clearing then plucking the ball out of the air from the resulting corner. On 50 mins Chesterfield pressed and from an Ian Shelley corner, Lee Barnes was clearly pushed from behind, the resulting penalty kick was dispatched by Barnes leaving the Basingstoke keeper grasping thin air. Both teams continued to attack and both defences held firm. After 55 mins substitute Andy Wilson played the ball up to Lee Barnes, Lee held off the defenders before playing Jan Veres in. Jan took the ball wide of the keeper and amazed everyone when the next thing we saw was the ball nestled in the back of the Basingstoke net. Good work from Mark Snow led to another Chesterfield corner and Ted Page headed Ian Shelley's pinpoint cross wide. Chesterfield continued to look for goals. Then on 62 mins Basingstoke pounced on a sloppy Chesterfield clearance, Ryan Onion pulled off a miraculous point blank save only to see the ball loop skyward over him, making it 4-1. Basingstoke tried to muster up another goal but the Chesterfield defence held strong with excellent work from Dave Evans, Ben Cook, Dave Kitchen, Andy Yates and Keeper Ryan Onion.
Full Time Chesterfield 4 Basingstoke 1
The Chesterfield Team
Gary Hurrell, Neil Robertson, David Kitchen, Lee Barnes, Andrew Yates, Ryan Onion, Ben Cook, Sam Youdan, Ian Shelley, Charlie Salisbury, Jan Veres, David Thornton, David Evans, Mark Snow, Andy Wilson and Ted Page.
The Basingstoke Team
Matthew Payne, Tim Donoyou, Rob Wallace, Andy Thomas, Nicolas Protopapas, Chris Sell, Nick Hall, Glenn Tregillis, James Mitchell, Lee Cunningham, Paul Eeles, Darren Warnock, Hao Lin, Jethro Sisslet, Robert Thomson.
Other Points:
· Both teams enjoyed a light lunch and refreshment at the Hunloke Arms before travelling to Saltergate to watch the big game.
· Paul Bracegirdle and Jamie Brownlee collected a signed football before the main event kick off. Gareth Davies from Chesterfield FC presented the ball to Paul.
· Both teams graced the Saltergate turf at half time. Caleb Folan from Chesterfield FC presented Gary Hurrell with the Scott Wilson Challenge Cup, see photo.
