By John Taylor
January began in cold fashion with the home game against Shrewsbury Town, which went ahead after tremendous efforts to get the pitch fit following the Rotherham postponement a few days before. Aaron Downes was a surprise inclusion in a side which saw 5 changes from the team which lost at Lincoln. After a fairly even first 20 minutes, Drew Talbot was injured by falling heavily on the hard surface and sustaining a nasty ankle injury. He was replaced by Davide Somma who shamefully appeared wearing gloves. On 38 minutes, we went behind as Hibbert flicked a good ball into the box past Crossley for a well-executed goal. Annoyingly, however, the move came about following a blatant foul on Derek Niven in midfield which went unpunished.
Fans helped out to get the Shrews game on
Despite much effort after a half-time tactical switch, we could not break down the well-organised Shrews rearguard and even when Holden was unluckily sent off for a trip on Djilali, we never looked like equalising. Several substitutions were tried including Small, also wearing gloves to make it our worst glove day since Folan and Hall let the side down at least 4 years ago. This was a very grim day, brightened only by Aaron Downes, who looked like he'd never been away, despite being out since April. Given all the loan activity, this game saw the end of Little, Djilali, Perkins and Somma as town players, leaving only Morris for a few days at least.
It was slightly damp for the Gulls visit
A week later and the snow put paid to our trip to Northampton and, in fact, only 5 fixtures in the entire league survived the cold snap. Seven days on and we were able to play against Torquay, looking for their first win at Saltergate in their last match. They were not to be successful as Town won another low scoring affair thanks to debutant Barry Conlon's fine strike after being set up by debutant Dominic Green with 18 minutes to play. We rode our luck in this one as Rendell missed a sitter on 13, heading against both posts whilst Thompson's effort on 69 minutes following a Gray error was chalked off for offside. Tommy lee, restored to the fold, kept us in the lead with an excellent save from Zebroski with 14 minutes left. This was a very satisfying ugly victory, made more pleasing by the clean sheet.
A perfect start for big Baz against the Gulls
The following Saturday we were supposed to be at Meadow Lane, but the Pies were in FA Cup action, so a blank Saturday looked on the cards, until the Cobblers did the trick preponing (not that that's a real word) the 2nd February rearranged fixture as they had no game owing to Accrington's cup involvement. So, we tripped gleefully to Sixfields anticipating a tight encounter with an in-form Northampton. The game was tight with Conlon having our only meaningful effort with a header just over the bar as half time approached. Our defence, and in particular, Downes were magnificent, restricting the home side to speculative or rushed efforts. Page and Goodall were also extremely good. Unfortunately, we were woeful going forward with Morris and Green struggling to supply anything meaningful to Conlon and Boden. In the end, a goalless draw was a fine, hard-won result and we returned north satisfied but bored stiff.
Ian Morris last Spireite appearance at the Sixfields
A tough encounter was expected for the next game on Tuesday, with Rotherham in town for the rearranged fixture, probably the last first team night game at Saltergate. That in itself was not a good omen following every other "last" so far this season. Jack Lester came back into the side in place of Scot Boden whilst new boy Frankie Artus made his first start in place of Ian Morris who returned to Scunny. A lively first period saw Lester have our best 2 chances, but the rustiness showed as the Sheffielder skied both his efforts. At the other end Lee saved well from Law whilst the obnoxious Ellison ballooned the Millers other good opportunity out of the ground.
Jack left the pitch with claret
The second period was more edgy and the Millers seemed to up their game whilst we looked unconvincing and lacking in confidence. The winner, which looked increasingly likely as the game wore on, came right at the death as no-one closed down Mills and his low angled ball into the box was controlled by Pope who turned Page and finished into the bottom corner. In truth, Rotherham deserved this as they looked better than us. They looked like they knew what they were about whilst we looked ordinary and lacking any fire. This is contrary to the natural order of things as Rotherham have now beaten us 5 out of the last 6 games. It's about time they left Sheffield to give us a sporting chance of beating them again.
The month's final game saw us in the north-west to face a Morecambe team that we were hoping to beat for the first time at the 7th attempt. The team had a surprising look as Martin Gritton made his first start of the season in place of the injured Lester and fit again Ian Breckin returned in place of Derek Niven as Mr Sheridan sought to combat the Shrimpers' aerial threat by playing loads of centre halves. Early exchanges were all around the town goal, but in our first serious raid, Gritton attacked the near post and netted with a smart header from Conlon's cross. Three minutes later the combative Irishman almost doubled the lead as his overhead effort struck Roche's post. After good saves from both keepers, Frankie Artus made his second poor challenge of the half and was dismissed, 4 minutes before the break.
Grits off the mark and ten men hang on for three vital points at Christie Park
The second period, unsurprisingly, saw the home side bombard Lee's goal but a combination of excellent, dogged defending, profligacy in attack and good fortune kept the Lancastrians at bay and we achieved our first win over them-joy indeed.
So, we have a strange month of 5 games having only 4 goals in total with 2 miserable defeats at home, 2 hard fought wins and a gritty goalless draw, our first since April. The amazing victory at Christie Park put us back in a play-off berth, when we were looking in danger of a big slide. Few fans now have much confidence, but we are still in the mix and there is a long way to go. The current transfer nonsense brought about by the authorities is helping no-one except the Manchester Uniteds of this world and the present over-reliance on revolving loans gives us no stability at all, adding to the disjointed nature of our play.
The January window closed with 2 late signings in the shape of midfielders Danny Boshell from Grimsby and Adam Rundle from Rochdale. Both were signed until the end of the season like Barry Conlon whose initial loan was converted to a proper signing. They will, at least, add competition for places, but it is to be hoped they add some midfield sparkle that has been sadly lacking of late. Darren Currie's loan to Dagenham & Redbridge became a permanent transfer which suited both player and club as his time here was dismally disappointing. Alan Goodall and Barry Conlon made the league team of the week following their performances against Torquay whilst, on a very sad note, January saw the deaths of 2 Spireite legends in local chap Legs Linacre and County Durham born Jimmy Smallwood. Both are fondly remembered at Saltergate and it is perhaps fitting that Jimmy Smallwood in particular didn't live to see the demise of his beloved ground.
Aaron Downes back to his best and helping to solve the leaking defence John's Man of the Month
The highlight of the month that was generally grim is actually easier than in most months this season. Conlon's excellent debut goal against Torquay is up there, as are Gritton's goal at Morecambe, Page's amazing defending at the death (also at Christie Park) and Tommy Lee's brilliant stop against the Gulls. The real highlight for me, however, is the performance by Aaron Downes at Sixfields; it is head and shoulders above any other individual Town performance this season.
