After a week’s rest filled with recovery and reflection off the back of a nail-biting defeat to Kingston-upon hull, Chesterfield made the long trip up to the north east to play a new opponent for the Men’s 1s in Stokesley, for the first time in the clubs history. As always, the Greens went to Stokesley searching for 3 points to help get their season back on track, after an indifferent start to this season.

Due to unforeseen circumstances around transport issues, the Greens arrived slightly disrupted. However, after a refined team talk and words of encouragement from coach Clive Morris and skipper Jack Hartley, Chesterfield were prepared and excited to take the game on.

The Greens started very dominantly, leading by two goals in the first fifteen minutes, thanks to sleek interchanges of play finished with a short range flick by Tasmanian Hayden Davey, and then a box to box counter-attack which ended with Jack Hartley scoring what is every striker’s dream; a tap in on the back post. Stokesley then started growing into the game, giving Chesterfield a few scares and eventually their pressure paid dividends, resulting in a goal with a strong forehand shot from the top of the circle which was rifled into the bottom corner. The pressure was sustained but Chesterfield managed to keep their one goal advantage until half time.

Stern words at half time from vice captain Ryan Speed reminded the visitors that there was still plenty of work to do in the second half in order to bring some points back to Chesterfield. Despite this, the second half started in a similar fashion to the closing stages of the first, with Stokesley continuing their pressure and with some poor defending at times from Chesterfield, Stokesley were rewarded a penalty corner, from which they capitalised with a powerful flick into the bottom corner.

Then, entering a pivotal stage of the game with the game in the balance, both teams battled it out for the next 20 minutes creating goal scoring opportunities and looking threatening to their respective opponents. Finally, there was a breakthrough. A Chesterfield penalty corner routine forced a save from the Stokesley goalkeeper, which only managed to reach eventual hat trick hero Hayden Davey who volleyed the ball on his reverse stick into the the net. Tidy finish which gave Chesterfield a 3-2 lead. Stokesley now attempted to respond by playing very offensively, however thanks to solid defending from man of the match and debutant Fin Brailsford, Chesterfield were able to break down their attacks and counter successfully themselves, leading to a penalty stroke which was put away for Hayden Davey’s third of the game. Full time score, Stokesley 2-4 Chesterfield.