Relive The Season -April A Month That Promised Much and Delivered Little
By John Taylor
Following the hugely encouraging month of March, April began with the short trip over the tops to Macclesfield. Martin Gritton returned against his old club and was soon in action, putting us ahead on 7 minutes with a well-taken goal from the edge of the box. After such a good start, we failed to capitalise and the hosts equalised 7 minutes later as Dean was in acres of space on the left with Jared Wilson missing and Evans nodded in the resulting cross. Worse was to come as Lewis Montrose took a knock and was eventually withdrawn just before the half hour. Midfield was rejigged but was as ineffective as the previous version on a terribly hard, bumpy pitch. Macc hit the bar and both sides created half chances but little of note took place as the game drifted to a dull and hugely disappointing draw.
Next up was a welcome return to Tuesday night football at Saltergate as Lincoln were in town for the rearranged fixture. Peter Till came in for Montrose with Dan Gray returning to the bench. The game began in lively fashion with both teams entertaining play-off ambitions and both keepers were soon in action. Town took the lead on 34 minutes as Lester and Till exchanged passes with the Sheffielder spinning to send a low shot past Burch. This was his 20th goal of the campaign and his 50th for the club. Unfortunately he wasn't to add to the tally this season. Janos "the animal" soon made his mark, giving Gritton a black eye in an aerial challenge and half time came with no addition to the score. Currie replaced Talbot at the break after a hamstring injury and the Imps were soon level as Patulea scored after we failed to clear a corner-a pretty familiar occurrence. Robertson hit the bar from a free-kick whilst numerous other efforts by both sides went close, but we just could not find a cutting edge as the game petered out to stalemate.
The Easter programme began with Darlington, the only team we ever draw 0-0 with; the only 2 goalless draws in our last 86 league games were both with the Quakers. Darren Currie made a rare start in place of the injured Drew Talbot and looked keen to make an impact in a lively opening period. Midway through the first half, Aaron Downes clashed with Pawel Abbott and sustained a knee injury. Despite trying to play on, the Aussie was replaced by Gray after 24 minutes. Half time came and went with no score and the visitors upped their pace after the break. The game's best moment came just after the introduction of young Ben Algar on 78 minutes. He jinked superbly down the left, beat his marker and delivered a great cross for Boden at the far post. The header, though, hit the woodwork and went wide. Mossy would have buried it. Darlo became more of a threat after that, but again the two sides produced a goalless encounter. That's now the only 3 in 87 league games.
Aaron injured against Darlo
Easter Monday saw a strange affair with the visit to Luton Town, playing their first home game since winning the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Wembley. The cup was paraded to generous applause from both sets of fans, but the mood was a little subdued as it was likely that, whatever the result, the Hatters would have relegation confirmed on the day. Ironic really that 13th April should be the date as this was the anniversary of their best ever victory in 1936 when they stuffed Bristol Rovers 12-0 and a certain chap from Brimington Common, Joe Payne, scored 10 of them. Austin came in for Downes and Kerry returned for Currie. In summary, we dominated the first half and they had the better of the second, Niven missed our 2 best chances whilst Lee made 2 great second half stops. Kerry and Hall got injured and substitutes Goodall and Currie, both former Hatters, were roundly booed by the home crowd with Currie in particular being a target. Neither side scored and we came up the M1 satisfied as most of us thought we'd lose. Given other results, a play-off spot was there for the taking if we did the business in the last 3 games as we were now sitting in 7th spot.
Saturday saw Gillingham in town with the Kent outfit above us but with a mixed bag of results of late. Talbot returned to the side and Hall started, though not really fit and he made it only to the break. The robust Gills played just as they did in Kent with a game plan based on speed, aggression and dropping to the ground at the slightest hint of an opposition challenge. Once they went ahead from McCammon's header after 22 minutes, it was always going to be a struggle as we've rarely managed to break down such a side all season. That again proved to be the case as the officials conspired to aid the Gills in their travesty of football. Many a time, especially after the break, it was obvious that they were diving without even a challenge, but the officials turned a blind eye. Even the previously admirable keeper, Simon Royce, joined in making a save at the end then rolling in mock agony to waste more time. Why they bothered, I do not know as we were never going to score, despite much effort. Lester wasted the best first half opportunities and Austin hit the post when it looked easier to score in the second. The Gills became the first team to do the double over us this season. I'm sure they'll go up in the play-offs as they have a far more cynical edge than the other contenders, so only Exeter City are likely to go up by playing football.
Despite this setback, we went to Accrington on the last Saturday of the month still in with a play-off chance so long as we won and others slipped up. It was not to be as the performance was not of the right stuff with little cohesion or self-belief and Arthur in the home goal was rarely tested. Only in the last 15 minutes of the first half did we have any sustained possession, but did not look likely to score. Soon after the restart, we conceded as Robertson gave away a free kick in the attacking left wing position. The set piece saw a long diagonal ball punted wide left to Grant who swung his left boot at the bouncing ball and scored a screamer from 25 yards. Tommy Lee had no chance. With 12 minutes left, all hope of a goal disappeared as Jack Lester, who'd been looking increasingly disinterested was caught offside for the umpteenth time because he couldn't be bothered to track back. He raised his hands and made a comment in the direction of the linesman. It was brief and non-eventful, but the referee amazingly sent him off for our 10th red card of the season. I'm convinced that no other team would have got a red under these circumstances, but we seem to have got a bad reputation under Mr Richardson and referees see the worst in us in every situation. After this the "Rico out" brigade were understandably back in full voice as the game drifted to its inevitable miserable conclusion in the Lancashire sun.
So, we'll play league 2 football again next season, having mustered only 4 points in the month and scored just 2 goals. Injuries did not help our cause, but profligacy in front of goal was another significant factor. Only 3 Saturday wins in the league at home (with 1 game to go) does, however, tell a tale of a certain nervousness at home that has cost us all season. Throwing away 13 points in the last few minutes of games has also been crippling. In the end we were just not good enough. The summer signings have been a massive let-down with Page, Currie and Harsley being particularly disappointing. Austin and Goodall have done some good work, though patchy, whilst Lee and Hall have been revelations. For me, the side made much better balance since January with the acquisition of Gritton, but the Scot has shown only touches of good form and has not been popular with a sizeable element of Town support. He doesn't score enough and we rely too heavily on Lester for goals. The loan signings have been generally pretty good with Montrose, Talbot and Wilson looking the part. Till has disappointed, despite pace and ability as he appears to lack application.
Off the field the month seemed pretty quiet, though that's perhaps down to the gloom on it. Good news was that Lewis Montrose is to sign for us having been told he doesn't feature in Wigan's plans and the splendid Aaron Downes signed a new deal. The undoubted highlight of the month was that the youth team won the Puma League, which is a fine achievement for which Dave Bentley should be justifiably proud and should be congratulated.
We now look forward to next season and hope that the youngsters can continue to progress with Dan Gray and Scott Boden in particular in the spotlight. More is expected of Jamie Lowry and Lloyd Kerry who both have had mixed seasons, being injured and seemingly suffering from lack of confidence. Much will hinge on the manager's post with Mr Richardson's contract being up and the board having to decide what to do on that score. His unpopularity with supporters could be a key factor and the much-threatened new blood in the boardroom could prove crucial in that decision as well as what happens with the new ground. It could be an interesting few months until August. One thing is certain: we need something to enthuse over as spirits are very low with most Spireites at the moment.
