Chesterfield Hockey Club men's 1st team made the trip to York in a bid to reboot their league form. Following a recent run of very close defeats, the team were in buoyant mood that they could get a result, despite a narrow 4-3 loss to York, when the 2 teams met at Chesterfield earlier on in the season.

The game started well for visitors Chesterfield, who got some good early attacks going with Ollie Addy and Ryan Speed looking threatening, and combining well with Martin Todd. York then established some control on the match and enjoyed possession of the ball for sustained periods. Despite this, Chesterfield were well organised in defence and limited York to very few chances in front of goal, whilst themselves looked threatening on the counter attack. Martin Todd went very close to breaking the deadlock when he narrowly failed to get onto a Ryan Speed pass, to apply the finishing touch. York continued to push and were awarded a penalty corner just before half time, which was flicked home to give them a 1-0 lead.

In the second half Chesterfield asserted more control in the game, and it was a very even contest. Following a recent pattern though, visitors Chesterfield failed to create too many clear cut scoring opportunities. Their best chances came from 2 or 3 penalty corners which were not slick enough to create a goal, although Ollie Addy came very close to getting an equaliser when his close range flick was saved by the York goalkeeper.

Defensively, player of the match Sam McPherson (pictured) was in super form, marshalling the defence well, and thwarting the York attacks. Regan Morton in only his 2nd game as goalkeeper, made some fine reaction saves in the 2nd half, to keep the score at 1-0 and keep the visitors still in the match probing for an equaliser.

With Chesterfield pushing for an equaliser from a penalty corner in the closing moments, the ball was turned over, and York clinically counter-attacked to make it 2-0 with 1 minute to go.

After putting a massive effort in and a very strong performance in a match that was closer than the scoreline suggests, this defeat was a very disappointing result for Chesterfield. With York sitting 2nd in the league though, Chesterfield can take heart, and if they continue this effort for the remainder of the season, and take their chances in front of goal, better results should come.