The Imps of Lincoln City will be the third league visitors to the b2net this Saturday. Lincoln and the Spireites had contrasting fortunes in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy on Tuesday. Whilst we were recording a well-deserved 2-1 victory at Walsall, Lincoln were losing 1-0 at Rotherham (or Sheffield to be more precise). Our game was played in front of 1,793 fans, the lowest ever crowd at The Bescot Stadium - although still more than the 1,677 who turned up at The Don Valley Stadium. Lincoln's defeat was the second time this season they had lost away to Rotherham as they went down 2-1 on the opening day of the season. The Imps currently lie 15th in the table with four points from four games. A 1-0 win at Gillingham being the only victory so far this season.
In both last season's games the home side won 2-1 although this symmetry would have been destroyed had Jack not missed an 87th minute penalty at Sincil Bank on Boxing Day.
Chris Sutton who has been in charge at Sincil Bank since September 2009 was very active in the transfer market during the close season. Among his acquisitions were four internationals: 21 year old central midfielder Josh O'Keefe, previously with Walsall, is a Republic of Ireland U21 International; 22 year old Gavin McCallum scored 8 goals in 27 appearances for Hereford last season including 2 against Lincoln and also scored in May whilst playing for Canada against Venezuela; Grenadian international Delroy Facey has now signed permanently after playing 10 games whilst on loan from Notts County last season. His only goal during that period was against the Spireites in that Boxing Day defeat; 25 year old winger Albert Jarrett who made 45 appearances for Barnet last season misses Saturday's game as he is on international duty with Sierra Leone having been called up for Sunday's 2012 Africa Cup Of Nations qualifier against Egypt in Cairo.
Other recent signings likely to be on display include keeper Joe Anyon whose seven appearances for Port Vale last season included a clean sheet at Saltergate in March (whilst his outfield teammates were scoring five at the other end!) and Nottingham born 22 year old striker Ben Hutchinson signed on a season long loan from Celtic. He made six appearances from the bench for Celtic after signing from Middlesbrough in January 2008. 34 year old full back Jamie Clapham was born in Lincoln and Lincoln City became his tenth club when he signed in the summer from Notts County. His grandfather Bert Wilkinson played in the 40s and 50s for the Imps. 21 year old Mustapha Carayol who scored Lincoln's opening goal of the season against Rotherham finished last season as a regular in the Torquay side. His brilliant individual goal at Blundell Park helped send Grimsby out of the League - possibly persuading local rivals Lincoln to sign him! As he is under the age of 24 Torquay sought a fee from Lincoln and a figure of £35,000, to be paid in stages, was eventually agreed.
For the Spireites long term casualties Aaron Downes and Jamie Lowry continue to progress but remain unavailable. Gregor Robertson who sustained a broken leg last November has started training with the first team and should soon be ready for a game with the reserves. Rob Page's achilles injury is improving but probably not sufficiently for him to be available for Saturday. Jack Lester rested for the Walsall game has had problems with stiff hips and back but should be OK for Saturday. Ian Breckin who also missed the Walsall game has had a virus but will hopefully also be recovered in time. Dwayne Mattis's excellent performance in central defence on Tuesday potentially provides cover in that position should it be needed. Wherever he plays it would be good to see him back on the goal scoring trail!
"The feel-good factor of a new stadium has been a boon to Chesterfield both on and off the pitch, with good early season results cheered on by impressive crowd numbers at The b2net Stadium" - so says The Football League's official web site. Saturday should see another 'impressive crowd' for the first local derby at the b2net. Another win will see us remain undefeated, maintain our 100% record at the new stadium and send us home feeling very good indeed.
By Dave Dove
CAN'T GET TO THE GAME THEN WHY NOT LISTEN TO IT LIVE ON
