By John Taylor
The month began with Lincoln City in Town and a first start for new signing Adam Rundle whilst Ian Breckin made way for Derek Niven as the team reverted to a more familiar formation. The Imps wore an odd grey and black outfit and the game began in sympathy with a dull start until enlivened by Dominic Green on 18 minutes. The Posh youngster cut in from the right, having been supplied by Niven, to unleash a fierce shot past keeper Burch to register his first Town goal. After several cagey exchanges, we almost doubled the lead when Gritton attacked Green's cross almost on the line, but the defenders ended up in the net whilst the ball disappeared wide.
Dominic Green scored a belter against Lincoln
Five minutes after the resumption, we did extend the lead as Conlon knocked in Page's cross off a defender for a scruffy, but very welcome goal. It looked very comfortable after this with the Imps being given the run-around and producing robust challenges as a retort resulting in a couple of bookings. From nothing though, they got back into the game when Tommy Lee dropped a punt into the box and Swaibu netted with an exquisite lob-a rarity for a defender. On many occasions we would have been given a free-kick for the challenge on Lee, but this time no such luck. Anyway, it's written into the rules that we can't win 2-0. Boden came on for Gritton and Boshell came on for Green as Town tried to reassert the earlier pattern. Boshell had a nightmare debut, looking considerably off the pace and being booked within a minute of his introduction. His first 3 bits of action all resulted in his fouling and he was lucky not to be dismissed. Anyway, after several panicky moments in the 4 minutes of extra time the ref blew the final whistle and we'd scraped an important win. Mark Allott looked particularly pleased with the result.
Joy for Aaron at Vale Park 1-0 Spireites
Next was the rearranged fixture at Vale Park where Mr Sheridan rearranged things by packing midfield. Breckin returned for Niven whilst Small (surprisingly) replaced Gritton. Town went ahead on 9 minutes as great work by Rundle set up Page who hit the bar, but Downes followed up to score at the venue for the second season on the trot. After much Vale pressure, we went 2 up as Green broke from midfield and shot from well out and his effort found the net courtesy of a deflection off a defender, then the keeper. With Vale pressing to get back in the thing, we had a major setback as Aaron Downes went down in some discomfort and was replaced by Austin.
Joy cut short for Aaron at Vale Park
(Get well soon Mr Downes)
Shortly after the resumption, Vale scored after a poorly cleared corner and the pressure was on. Austin was having a torrid time on Vale's wide pitch and was soon replaced, much to his annoyance, but it was the right decision. Despite considerable Vale pressure, Lee and his defence stood firm with the keeper even dislocating a finger making a brave double save. He had it reset and continued whilst Vale seemed to lose heart after this and we ran out 2-1 victors.
Next up was form team Bury looking like Atletico Madrid in their red and white striped shirts and blue shorts. Town had young Carlisle loanee Gary Madine up front in place of the disappointing Small. Conlon and Madine were causing Bury's defence all sorts of problems early on and on another day we'd have had 2 penalties for blatant pushes in the box. The referee wasn't interested, however. Town generally had the upper hand in the first half, though the Shakers were a constant threat and twice we cleared off the line when Lee was beaten.
Super sub Scotty Boden grabbed the winner against Bury
The second half started much as the first ended and after 56 minutes we took off a struggling Conlon and brought on Boden. Within 2 minutes, the youngster struck as he headed in Green's corner at the near post to net with his first touch of the ball. A string of substitutions followed as the visitors began to get on top and we survived a few scares before the final whistle to win our fourth game on the bounce. This was a very satisfying and well-deserved victory against a very good side that Alan Knill has put together.
A week later we were at basement side Darlington, certainties for relegation to the conference, despite doing the double over Rotherham. Mr Sheridan kept his 3-5-2 formula from the previous 2 away trips and brought in Danny Hall for the injured Aaron Downes. Drew Talbot returned for the injured Barry Conlon whilst new addition Simon Whaley from Norwich was on the bench. On a soft, bobbly pitch we didn't really get going and the industrious Quakers looked like they wouldn't trouble us much at the back either despite their considerable effort. A third goalless event at the Darlington Arena certainly looked a possibility until the 27th minute when Darlo broke down our left and the low cross went through about 5 defenders to be tapped in at the back post. This boosted the home side no end and we ended the half looking bedraggled and nervous.
New boy Simon Whaley started the fightback against Darlington
After half-time, we reorganised to 4-4-2 with Gray moving to midfield and Hall to right back, but 8 minutes into the half Green was deemed to have handled and Purcell lashed the resulting free-kick into the net with a difficult bounce out of the mud deceiving Tommy Lee. Niven soon replaced Hall then Boden came on for the ineffective Madine, followed by Whaley replacing Green. It all seemed to have little effect as Darlington were strolling it despite also making substitutions. Then with 10 minutes left, it all went weird as the ball broke to Whaley on the right hand corner of the Quakers' penalty area and he whacked in a cross shot to find the far corner of the net much to everyone's amazement. A minute later and we were level as the ball dropped to Drew Talbot 35 yards out and he spun and smacked a cracking looping effort over Redman for a magnificent equaliser. At this point it was clear that the Darlo heads had dropped and dozens of home supporters headed for the exits. Worse was to come for the home fans as with 3 minutes left the ball pinged about their box and debutant Byrne took the ball off Talbot's toe to knock the ball into his own net. This capped a most unlikely turnaround which was confirmed when Tommy Lee made a great save in injury time to deny Madden.
Next up was Gresty Road on the following Tuesday, but it was postponed 24 hours owing to a frozen pitch. The game got off to a lively start with both teams playing at a high tempo. Conlon drove inches wide whilst Moore struck the underside of the Town bar with the ball bouncing safely into Lee's arms. On 27 minutes we went ahead from a Goodall throw on the left. The ball was returned to the full-back who punted it high into the box. Conlon controlled splendidly and swivelled to get in a shot which was blocked. The ball fell to Talbot and it took a deflection off a defender and keeper Phillips before finding the net. Not an elegant goal, but well-received nonetheless. The game continued in entertaining, end-to-end fashion until the break with the Alex having more play, but Town looking dangerous on our numerous breaks, prompted by the excellent Mark Allott.
Drew celebrates his winner at Gresty Road
Half-time came and went with no addition to the score. Conlon could have extended our lead shortly after the resumption following a throw-in mix-up by the Alex rearguard, but the Irishman rushed the opportunity and fired over. The half wore on with the Railwaymen in the ascendancy, but Town defending with good organisation and considerable tenacity. Allott's steadying influence and calm use of the ball assisted in the process and as the game wore on, Crewe looked less and less likely to score. Just when it looked like we'd snuffed them out, they fashioned an excellent opening deep into stoppage time, but Tommy Lee came to the rescue, advancing rapidly from his goal to thwart the home team. A second later and the final whistle blew to signal a deserved and splendid Spireite victory; the sixth on the trot.
Aldershot Town came next for February's last fixture and we lined up as for the Crewe game. The Shots were hard-working and well organised and, in consequence, we had no time on the ball and looked ill-at-ease whilst the Shots looked perky and dangerous around the box. The edginess communicated itself to the crowd who were in rather sombre mood. The second half was no better with Town looking without any energy, particularly Conlon and Talbot, who'd run their socks off at Crewe. On 62 minutes, Aldershot brought on the begloved Jackson and he looked suspiciously to have fouled Goodall, but set up Hilton for an unmarked header past Lee and just inside the post. Substitutions of Niven and Boden for Green and Conlon then Small for the disappointing Rundle gave us a bit more life, but our efforts lacked composure and the Shots got away with a double over us-very annoying, especially after robbing us at their place.
So a month that saw us gain 15 points from 18 and saw us advance to 4th in the table actually felt flat after the lacklustre Aldershot showing. This game also played into the hands of the cynics who love us to lose so they can claim "They don't want to go up"-an annoying phrase I've been hearing since I was 10. We're still in with a great chance, but we've got to cut out the sort of performance we turned in against the Shots. With 13 games left, it's all to play for.
Other developments away from the main business saw all 4 floodlight pylons go up at the new ground along with some cladding in a rather classy shade of dark blue. According to the site manager, we're back on track and about to start the pitch which is great news. Printability will sponsor the North stand at the B2Net which only leaves one stand without a name, if my adding's correct. The club had a low-key AGM in the month and reported significant losses for the last financial year, but pretty small in the context of most football clubs. It was announced that prices would be frozen for the first season at the new ground, which is a big bonus in the current economic climate and will hopefully promote better attendances.
To finish, as usual, we need the month's highlight and this time there are several contenders: Green's brilliant goal against Lincoln, Boden's "super-sub" bit against Bury, Mark Allott's all-round excellence at Gresty Road and Tommy Lee's brilliant save in the same game all come to mind. The real highlight, however, was Drew Talbot's fantastic 35-yard equaliser at Darlington-a true goal of the season contender.
