Chesterfield 0-1 Notts County (FA Trophy Round One) 14.12.19
Notts County are through to the second round of the FA Trophy after beating Chesterfield at the Proact Stadium by a single Kristian Dennis goal.
The Magpies gave starts to Alex Lacey who made his debut at centre back with the returning Jim O’Brien back from injury as the likes of Osborne, Bakayogo, Tyson and Kelly-Evans featured in a much changed team.
The first chance of the game went the away sides way as Rawlinson headed over a corner from Shields on 11 minutes before a minute later a shot by Rowley at the other end was cleared off the line by Bakayogo. On 15 Slocombe saved from Wakefield turning a shot around the posts for a corner and was called into action again from the resulting set piece pushing Rowley’s header away.
On 27 minutes the unfortunate Jim O’Brien hobbled off to be replaced by Kevin Doyle and ten minutes later more agonising injury news as this time Goalkeeper Sam Slocombe was forced to withdraw and be replaced by Jake Kean.
The debutant keeper was immediately called into action flicking Rowley’s shot onto the bar before saving from Mandeville with his legs.
Both teams went in at the break goalless and the second period started in tight fashion before Tyson fired wide on the hour with the first real opportunity of the half. Moments later Osborne shot low well saved by Jalal in the Spirites goal before Lacey forced the best out of the Chesterfield keeper heading from Booty’s corner only to be denied.
The Notts pressure however soon paid off as Osborne ran down the right and crossed low for Krystian Dennis who poached home from close range with just 18 minutes remaining.
The Magpies comfortably dealt with the Chesterfield pressure and saw the game out for a first clean sheet since October and are now in the hat for Monday’s draw as they aim to reach Wembley.
Manager Neal Ardley was happy with the result but said after the game the injuries in particular to Jim O’Brien put a dampener on things “It’s not good. He’s got an eight-inch gash right down the middle of his thigh and it’s deep.”
“Not only has he had several stitches across his thigh, which is bad enough in itself, it looks like there’s a tear in the muscle where the stud’s gone through as well.”
“We’ve all hyped up how important it is to have him back and this is a real blow.”
Chesterfield: Jalal, Gerrard, Buchanan, Hollis, Weston, Rowley, Weir, Wakefield (Shaw 88), Nepomuceno (McKay 84), Mandeville, Denton (Talum 69).
County: Slocombe (Kean 37), Kelly-Evans, Lacey, Rawlinson, Shields, Osbourne, O’Brien (Doyle 27), Booty, Bakayogo, Tyson, Dennis.
Venue: Proact Stadium (837)
*Main image @Official_NCFC action from Chesterfield v Notts in the FA Trophy.
