Chesterfield Hockey Club Mens 1st team’s latest two league matches in Yorkshire North-East Division 1, were against local rivals Rotherham and Sheffield Bankers.

First, Chesterfield travelled to Rotherham for a tough away fixture against newly promoted Rotherham. Rotherham started strongly taking the lead after 20 minutes, although a few minutes later Chesterfield missed a chance to equalise from the penalty spot, after forward Ted Murray had been heavily fouled during a quick counter attack.

After half-time, visitors Chesterfield took the game to Rotherham, enjoying a decent amount of possession, steadily building and creating a few chances. Rotherham however still looked dangerous on the counter, and Sam McPherson was in outstanding form, stopping several Rotherham attacks and keeping the score at 0-1.

The high energy from Chesterfield and their persistence, eventually paid off when they were awarded a penalty corner. Midfielder Ryan Speed calmly smashed the ball to the far corner looking for a forward to get a deflection, but the shot went straight in to level the scores with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Down the wings Chesterfield were getting a lot of joy with half back Fin Brailsford pushing up. With the continued defensive masterclass from McPherson, Rotherham were having much less enjoyment. With the minutes ticking down Chesterfield won another penalty corner, and Alex Mycroft stepped up to flick a rocket home and give Chesterfield the lead with 4 minutes remaining.

Rotherham were not finished, and won a penalty corner of their own in the last minute. Goalkeeper Matt Drohan got a stick on the shot, although the ball was only parried and still dribbled goalwards, only for man of the match Sam McPherson (pictured) to clear it off the line in a moment of late drama.
Final score, Rotherham 1-2 Chesterfield

The second match was against Sheffield Bankers mens 2nd team.

Chesterfield started on the back foot for the first 15 minutes, and a lofted ball over the top found its way into the circle and was struck as a superb first time volley into the back of the net. 1-0 to Sheffield Bankers.

Chesterfield bounced back quickly winning a short corner soon after which was tidily finished by Alex Mycroft to make it 1-1.
The game went on with both teams struggling to break through each others defence until another aerial ball found its way to the Sheffield Bankers No9 who was 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper, and the Sheffield forward came out on top this time taking it round and slotting home to make it 2-1 to visitors Sheffield Bankers. The game stayed at this score as the remainder of the half petered out.

Chesterfield started the second half strong with some excellent chances, dominating the Sheffield Bankers defence, but unfortunately couldn’t convert several of these chances. It wasn’t long though, before the persistence paid dividends, when a ball was fired into forward Jack Hartley who deflected it nicely to bring the scores level at 2-2, just 8 minutes into the half.

Chesterfield continued to stay on the front foot for the majority of the second half with man of the match midfielder Ryan Speed involved in many Chesterfield attacks, and ensuring Chesterfield looked the more likely of the two teams to get the 3rd goal. It duly arrived in the form of a penalty corner, with a slick routine from Ted Murray & Alex Mycroft giving the Chesterfield defender his 6th goal in as many matches when he calmly flicked the ball home.

Chesterfield still continued to dominate and threatened to add to the scoreline, but the Sheffield Bankers goal-keeper was determined not to be beaten again, pulling out excellent saves. The game was still eventful until the final whistle when Chesterfield were able to clinch the win in an enthralling 3-2 scoreline, keeping unbeaten run alive for another week.
Final score, Chesterfield 3 – 2 Sheffield Bankers

Match reports by Sam Gower & Will Beardshall