Chesterfield Hockey Club Men’s 1st XI 3 – 1 Lindum 2nd XI

Coach Christian Battye and captain Jack Hartley set the tone before the start of the match, reminding the squad that this was never going to be an easy afternoon. Despite Lindum 2nd XI sitting well down the league table, they had come down from the Premier Division last season, and had suffered several narrow defeats this season, suggesting they were better than their current league table position.

The opening exchanges were scrappy, with both sides struggling to establish any real rhythm. Unfortunately for the Greens, a defensive blunder gifted Lindum the opener from a penalty corner, and Chesterfield found themselves 1-0 down early on.
The response was immediate. Chesterfield earned a penalty corner themselves just 5 minutes later, and as he has done so many times before this season, talisman Alex Mycroft stepped up and rifled his effort into the bottom corner to level proceedings at 1-1.

With confidence growing, Chesterfield began to take control. Jack Hartley was on the end of a quick attack, and smartly passed to forward Tom Levie close in on goal, who pounced on the opportunity, and delightfully duffed one over the advancing goalkeeper from an acute angle, to give Chesterfield a 2-1 lead heading into half-time.

The second half saw Chesterfield come out fighting, and it wasn’t long before Alex Mycroft doubled his tally from another penalty corner, this time sending the ball high into the roof of the Lindum net to extend the scoreline to 3-1.

Chesterfield were not content with the scoreline and stuck to their task well during the second half. In midfield, man of the match Olly Addy (pictured) was simply everywhere. His relentless work rate and ability to win the ball back, often in high areas of the pitch, repeatedly gave Chesterfield the platform to dominate. Alongside Scothern, Speed and Truby in midfield, he drove the team forward time and again, turning defence into attack with real purpose.

At the back, Sam McPherson swept up everything that came his way, launching attacks from deep, with penetrating passes into Johnson or distributing cleverly to half-backs Beardshall, Brailsford and Gower, who worked their magic down the flanks throughout the second period.

This continued work rate and pressure, resulted in Chesterfield creating several good goalscoring opportunities. However, a combination of some strong last ditch defending from Lindum and some wasteful finishing, resulted in no further goals for the home side.

Lindum rallied in the last 15 minutes, with their best chance producing a fine double save from Chesterfield goalkeeper Matt Drohan, to preserve Chesterfield’s two goal lead.

Chesterfield saw the game out professionally, controlling possession and limiting Lindum's opportunities until the final whistle. It was a hard-fought victory against a well organised opponent, but the Greens stuck to their jobs well to grab the win with the final score Chesterfield 3 – 1 Lindum.

A good performance, a good game, and most importantly a good three points.

A final mention for assistant coach Kenney, who bagged a hat-trick in her own women’s 1st XI match earlier in the day - also playing Lindum, before donning the tracksuit and helping the men’s 1st XI make it 2 out 2 against Lindum.

Match report by L. Johnson