Chesterfield 1 Shrewsbury 2
Youth Alliance Cup
Chesterfield were sent crashing out of the Youth Alliance Cup in disappointing circumstances as North West Conference leaders Shrewsbury Town turned around a one deficit in true cup fashion. The Spireites took the lead just after the re start through Ben Watkis, but the visitors hit the back of the net twice in close concession to clinch a place in the competition's semi finals.
After a below par performance against mid table Lincoln City last weekend, Dave Bentley's side knew that it was important not to let their current slum continue. Ben Watkis returned from injury and was given a place in the starting 11 alongside Craig Clay, who looks set to stay with the youth team for the remainder of the season as John Sheridan's squad has been recently injected with loan signings.
Despite this, it was the visitors that started the opening stages the brighter of the two sides, as the Shrews produced the first sighting on goal. Their early attack lacked any direction as it was dragged wide of Scott Webb's net. Chesterfield struggled to grasp a hold of the game and lacked their 2009 fluid passing style that had taken them to third in the league.
Winger Sam Smith, who was stretched off last weekend, attempted to test the Shrewsbury number one on 10 minutes with an effort from the outside of the boot, but the keeper held well to deny an early Spireite goal.
Chesterfield's current crisis of defending set pieces looked to continue eight minutes later when a lofted cross from the right was met by a visiting head, but the chance went over both the bar and a static Webb.
Craig Clay's fortitude set up Burrow for a golden opportunity via Tendayi Darikwa's dazzling turn, but the number 11 failed to capitalise and scuffed the chance wide.
The game was beginning to take shape of an obvious cup tie as both teams took it in turn to lead attacks trying to force that all important first goal.
A rapid counter attack led by The Shrews was saved by Chris Tingay's perfectly timed tackle that took the zest out of a close range shot that would have certainly beaten Webb.
Chesterfield were relieved that the half came to an end when it did as the visitors mounted three close assaults in the remaining stages of the half. The first was a decent half chance from a cross, while the other two were forced long range efforts.
Bentley's half time ear bashing certainly did the trick as five minutes after the restart Chesterfield had taken the lead. Ben Watkis was intentionally hacked down by the Shrewsbury centre half during a dangerous looking run and was rewarded with a goal from the resulting free kick. Ryan Granger's visionary free kick found Darikwa in the penalty box before playing in Watkis, who left the goalkeeper with no chance as he sank the ball into the bottom left hand corner.
From then on it was all one way traffic as Chesterfield dominated attack after attack which could have seen the score line doubled or even tripled in the space of ten minutes.
Tingay's flawless free kick picked out target man Burrow who set up Watkis with one touch to double the scoreline, but the goalscorer side footed over.
Midfield duo Jimmy Adcock and Clay worked together to gift Smith with a must score opportunity on 59 minutes, but the chance was grazed over from close range. Webb's vision and accuracy picked out Darikwa's run over the top of the Shrews back four and despite the time the striker had, Tendayi failed to make the chance count as it appeared Chesterfield just couldn't wrap the match up.
As in many cup ties, not making full advantage of a one goal lead can come back to haunt you…and it did just that for the Spireites. A long ball up from the Shrews number one caused problems for defender Sam Clare and his goalkeeper as a mix up communication allowed the Shrewsbury forward a chance to slide in and put the ball past Webb as it was followed up by another black shirt to make sure.
With the game tied, Chesterfield's early second half dominance soon faded as the visitors completed a sensational turn around on 72 minutes. A Shrew corner was converted from an advancing head after Matt Needham lost his marker allowing the player to head in at the front post.
The Spireites tried desperately to salvage the match but Shrewsbury's comeback proved to have over come Bentley's side as they now exit their second cup competition of the season.
Chesterfield (4-4-2): Webb, Tingay, Granger, Clay, Clare, Needham, Adcock, Smith, Darikwa, Watkis, Burrow
Subs Not Used: Palmer, Beaglehole, Wright, Edridge, West
Goals: Watkis 50
