Chesterfield Men’s 1s produced one of their most resilient performances of the season, overturning a 3-2 half time deficit to beat Stokesley 5-4 and secure 3 vital points for the greens.

From the outset, the message in the team talk lead by skipper Jack Hartley was clear and simple, emphasising the need to stay in the game at all times, stay composed, and eventually chances for them to win the game would come their way.

The first half was fiercely contested with chances coming at both ends of the pitch. It was Stokesley who opened the scoring from the penalty spot after just 5 minutes, following some sloppy defending from Chesterfield. However, Chesterfield took the game to Stokesley forcing several penalty corners in the next phase of the match, and it was Alex Mycroft who produced a superb drag flick to level the scores at 1-1.
Almost immediately Chesterfield were on the back foot again. Some poor marking in defence resulted in a foul, and subsequently Stokesley regained the lead with a well taken penalty corner.

The match at this stage was very open, with Stokesley playing some direct hockey causing Chesterfield problems and forcing Regan Morton to make a couple of good saves. Chesterfield were also enjoying some success, and it was Ollie Addy who made a strong run down the left before crossing for Jack Hartley to flick home from close range and level the scores at 2-2.

For the remaining few minutes of the 1st half Stokesley gained some momentum and good possession which rewarded them with another penalty corner; they worked this set piece smartly to deflect home from close range and regain the lead at 3-2 going into half time.

Chesterfield were far from pleased with their performance at the interval, but they knew they had more to give and that the game was there for the taking. The 2nd half saw a determined response. Hartley and in-form Ollie Addy leading from the front line and causing problems for the Stokesley defence, showed encouraging signs for the greens and Chesterfield were in command of the game for the opening 10 minutes. Yet, Stokesley continued to threaten on the counter attack, and following an Ollie Addy foul and 2 minute suspension, Stokesley scored their 4th goal of the game and 3rd penalty corner with another smartly taken drag flick to take a 4-2 lead.

At this point, the situation looked bleak for Chesterfield, going 2 goals behind with about 20 minutes left to play and temporarily down to 10 players. Goals could not come quick enough for Chesterfield with time ebbing away from the match.

Thankfully for Chesterfield their hard work paid dividends with Hartley scoring another 2 goals from the penalty spot in the next 5 minutes – both following last ditch stick tackles from visitors Stokesley. This completed Hartley’s well deserved hat-trick and gave Chesterfield a chance to clinch all 3 points.

In the closing 10 minutes chances continued to fall to both teams, although now more assured defending from full backs Zach Scothern and Sam Barrett managed to keep Stokesley at bay. With five minutes remaining, both teams were desperate for the 3 points, but it was the greens that eventually found a way to win. Ryan Speed determined to find a way through and surrounded by 3 Stokesley defenders, intelligently slipped a pass to the in-form Ollie Addy, who coming off the back of 4 goals last week ,had his hard work rewarded as he nailed a blistering backhand shot past the near post into the back of the net.

The drama had not finished there as Chesterfield had to try and see the game out with 10 men after excessive celebrations from one of the players gave the greens all the more reason to defend with everything they had left in the tank.

Finally the whistle blew and Chesterfield ran out winners with the scoreline 5-4. Man of the match was awarded to defender Alex Mycroft (pictured) for his defensive performance and topped with a powerful drag flick goal, to help win the game.

Chesterfield travel next week to face Ben Rhydding for a game set to be very competitive with the greens motivated to try and pick up another 3 points to make it 4 wins in a row.