Chesterfield 2s finished their league campaign with a narrow 1-0 loss to Doncaster 4s on Saturday.

Having played and won last weekend Chesterfield's league status was already confirmed for another year. However the pre-match chatter amongst the Doncaster players and management was all about results elsewhere in the league. With 2 games remaining, Doncaster needed to beat Chesterfield and then follow that up with a result against fellow strugglers Barnsley to keep themselves up.

Chesterfield started the game and were initially distracted by the relegation talk and so Doncaster started on the front foot, holding possession whilst not really testing Chesterfield keeper Regan Morton. As the half progresssed Chesterfield grew into the game and some swift back to front attacking led to the two best opportunities of the half. Firstly, Chris Cowley released Luke Fishleigh whose powerful shot was saved by the Doncaster keeper, the rebound fell to him again and he tried an audacious lob that flew over. Secondly, a sharp pass to Ewan Wrigley found him on his own at the back post needed only the slightest of touches to score, but the winger failed to connect and the golden chance went begging.

At the end of the first half there was some pinball wizard action in the Chesterfield circle, sticks clashing and the ball flying around, and Olly Fish taking an accidental stick to the head. The whistle was blown and play stopped, and after an umpire consultation a penalty corner was awarded for a foot in the circle. Perhaps still reeling from the decision, Chesterfield conceded a goal from the corner and went empty handed into half time.

The second half turned much scrappier - Doncaster perhaps feeling the pressure of needing a result went more direct with their hockey, and Chesterfield playing like the ball was a hot potato and giving up possession at the earliest opportunity. Olly Fish receiving a green card for bad tackles, and then Ewan Wrigley for not retreating from a free hit before making a tackle. Despite these setbacks the evergreens battled on and Chesterfield keeper, Regan Morton, made some further saves to keep the boys in green in the game. Chris Cowley and Luke Fishleigh caused the Doncaster back line troubles with their pace, but couldn't quite make the connections to create a decent chance.

When the final whistle blew it was relief for Doncaster and what might have been for Chesterfield.

Chesterfield's player of the match was Jamie Gooden.

#evergreen