Chesterfield's youth team, sponsored by David C Jones Insurance Services, finished their 2009 campaign on a high note as they breezed into the semi final of the Midland Youth Cup with a remarkable scoreline that could have easily been doubled.

The young Spireites' third match at Saltergate this year was to also be their last, as Dave Bentley's side aimed to end the year with a place booked for next year's semi final.

Not to change an unbeaten and an in-form side, Bentley stuck with the same eleven that had beaten Bradford City and Hartlepool United in previous matches.

As early as three minutes into the game and Chesterfield had already marked their presence on goal. Ryan Granger's seeking ball over the top of the Nuneaton defence found Tendayi Darikwa's run on the left. Darikwa, playing in a more attacking role, linked up with Jimmy Adcock, before the ball was crossed for Jordan Burrow, who agonisingly headed wide from close range.

This straight forward Chesterfield attack seemed to be too much for the visitors to cope with as the Spireites never took their foot off the gas.

Craig Clay, who was nursing a slight bug prior to the match, didn't show any signs of weakness as his dominating run allowed Darikwa in for a sight on goal, but the shot failed to test the goalkeeper.

Minutes later and the Nuneaton keeper was beaten, but he was to be saved by his post as Clay's rasping half volley from Sam Smith's corner appeared to the goal bound, with Adcock's follow up forcing a stretched save.

As Chesterfield's overpowering play continued, so did the chances on goal as Ben Watkis and Burrow had chances to both get on the scoresheet.

After several missed opportunities and a majority of the possession, the Spireites finally broke the deadlock in the 20th minute.

Smith's vision on the right wing gifted Darikwa with the chance to break the seal, but his header strayed off target and ended up at Burrow's feet, much to his amazement, and with a goal looking certain the striker somehow managed hit the post, but fortunately for Chesterfield Watkis was there to pick up the pieces and with a ferocious strike, the ball was hammered into the roof of the net before the goalkeeper had anytime to react.

Watkis was unfortunate not to double both his and Chesterfield's tally, when the Nuneaton goalkeepers inability to hold a ball almost cost him dear as Watkis' lob beat everyone but was denied by the woodwork.

This was soon forgotten as the Spireites did double their tally just a minute later. Burrow's low driven cross was turned in to his own net by a Nuneaton defender who beat Watkis to the cross and did the Chesterfield number 10 a favour in the process.

Nuneaton's attacks were sparse, with two long range efforts being the best they could produce in the opening half hour.

This suited the Spireites down to a tee as they searched for more goals. After scoring at the weekend, defender Sandy Moller almost made it two in two as a corner fell to the centre half, who proceeded to unleash a rapid half volley, which beat the stranded goalkeeper but was cleared from a line bound defender.

Moller was however involved in Chesterfield's third goal of the half, when his 65 yard inch perfect pass set up another blues attack as Adcock crossed for winger Smith, who drove home with a right footed strike after effortlessly taking on a Nuneaton defender.

Before the visitors had chance to composure themselves, they were another goal down as Burrow joined the growing list of scorers, when the striker smashed home from close rang after Adcock gifted him the opportunity.

If Chesterfield's fourth goal took the visitors by shock, they didn't stand a chance with the Spireites fifth just a minute later. Darikwa, after earlier missed chances, put his 38th minute effort beyond the Nuneaton number one despite getting a slight hand to it as the ball found the bottom left hand corner.

As the half time whistle blew, the match was all but over as the blues failed to make the most out of a totally dominated first half.

Not to get complacent, the Spireites started the second half in the same fashion they ended the first and could have quite easily added another to the score, when Adcock's twisting run turned his defender but lacked the finished article required.

Smith's testing shot on 52 minutes called upon the Nuneaton goalkeeper into making a decent save at his front post after Smith was given space through Burrow's ball.

With a place in the semi final guaranteed, Bentley used this opportunity to offer some of his squad first team action and brought Gerome Palmer, Shamus Beaglehole and Josh Wright into the game, giving experienced trio Sam Clare, Darikwa and Clay a well deserved rest.

Although as expected, the tempo died down considerably but this didn't stop Chesterfield trying to add another goal to their already impressive scoreline and did so with just 16 minutes left. Substitute Beaglehole struck a powerful volley that replicated his fine strike against Oldham Athletic earlier in the season, leaving the keeper without a prayer.

In the end Chesterfield ran out more than deserved winners in such a one sided match that is ever to be seen at Saltergate.

Chesterfield (4-4-2) : Webb, Granger, Tingay, Clare (Palmer 55), Moller, Adcock, Clay (Beaglehole 55), Smith, Watkis, Darikwa (Wright 55), Burrow

Subs Not Used: Edridge, Needham

Goals: Watkis 20, Own Goal 23, Smith 35, Burrow 37, Darikwa 38, Beaglehole 74

Played at Saltergate on Tuesday 15 December 2009

Spireites youth team reporter Adam Hulme

After match re-action from youth team manager Dave Bentley and action highlights from the game only on Spireites Player

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