Chesterfield show fighting spirit on the road after second-half fightback

Chesterfield 2s travelled to Oakwood High School, Moorgate Road, Rotherham, on a sunny afternoon looking to finally break their frustrating run of 2-1 defeats.

The visitors were hoping it would be their day, but despite a spirited second-half fightback, Chesterfield ultimately fell to a 5-2 defeat against Chapeltown 1s.

The scoreline, however, does not tell the full story of a game that saw plenty of end-to-end hockey, some excellent saves and a much-improved performance from the Chesterfield side after the interval.

Chesterfield started positively and won their first penalty corner after just four minutes following strong passing between Abi G and Jodie. Kara injected the ball, but the visitors were unable to convert.

Chapeltown immediately looked to respond on the break and put the Chesterfield defence under pressure. Sarah and Kara combined well to help clear the danger, while Kelly worked tirelessly through the middle of the pitch, covering ground, feeding the wings and driving forward whenever the opportunity arose.

Chapeltown won their first corner in the 12th minute, but Chesterfield soon regained their composure. A quick move from defence to attack saw the ball travel from left to right, with Flo making a confident run, although Chapeltown were soon back on the attack.

At the other end, Chesterfield continued to create opportunities. Kelly won a corner in the 15th minute. Chloe injected and, following another corner, played the ball towards Esme. A Chapeltown breakaway led to another corner for the hosts before the decision was controversially upgraded to a penalty flick in the 17th minute.

Chapeltown converted to take a 1-0 lead.

Chesterfield came out fighting and responded immediately, winning another corner in the 18th minute, but again the visitors could not find the equaliser.

The game continued to swing from end to end. A corner in the 25th minute saw the ball lifted into Kelly, striking her arm, while keeper Charlie produced an excellent save two minutes later, coming confidently off her line to deny Chapeltown.

The pressure continued and the Chesterfield defence worked hard to clear another Chapeltown attack, but the hosts eventually doubled their advantage from a penalty corner in the 30th minute.

Chapeltown continued to press and won another corner just 1 minute later. Chesterfield defended well before breaking themselves, but were unable to find the back of the net.

The visitors were putting passes together but, at times, held onto the ball for too long, allowing Chapeltown to close down the space and disrupt their attacking rhythm.

At half-time, Chesterfield found themselves 2-0 down, but the team talk provided a much-needed reset.

The visitors came out for the second half with renewed purpose. An aerial from Abi G helped Chesterfield move further up the pitch, while Jodie, Nehir, Nic and Esme began linking up and driving forward.

Kelly continued to battle hard through the middle and, after taking a tumble, brushed herself off and got straight back into the action.

A Chesterfield corner five minutes into the second half was injected by Kara to Abi, whose strike went just wide.

Chapeltown then broke quickly and scored from open play in the 41st minute to make it 3-0.

Chesterfield refused to let their heads drop. Charlotte, Nic and Kara combined well with some neat passing, while Anna worked hard to defend another Chapeltown attack.

The hosts won a further corner in the 45th minute, and Abi produced one of the defensive moments of the match, diving to clear the ball off the goal line and keep Chesterfield in the contest.

Another Chesterfield attack saw Jodie and Kelly combine, but Chapeltown managed to halt the move. The hosts then continued to put pressure on Charlie's goal, with the Chesterfield goalkeeper making several important saves and being supported by Heather in defence.

A Chapeltown corner in the 51st minute was initially kept out, but the follow-up was eventually converted in the 52nd minute to make it 4-0.

Despite the four-goal deficit, Chesterfield finally found the drive they had been searching for.

Three minutes later, Nehir drove the attack forward before Flo supplied Jodie, who finished confidently to get the visitors on the scoresheet and make it 4-1.

The goal lifted Chesterfield, and suddenly the away side were playing with far greater confidence and purpose.

In the 58th minute, Chesterfield struck again. Chloe injected a penalty corner to Abi, whose delivery found Kara, and Kara converted to reduce the deficit to 4-2.

The visitors had found another gear and were now putting Chapeltown under real pressure. Chesterfield won another penalty corner but were unable to convert.

There was still time for one final Chapeltown corner on the final whistle. Kelly bravely took the ball to the face, while Nic charged out and did enough to put the striker under pressure. The resulting effort flew high over the goal, bringing the game to an end.

Despite the result, Chesterfield's second-half response was a huge positive. After finding themselves four goals behind, the visitors showed real character, increased their intensity and scored twice in three minutes to put themselves back into the game.

Nic Wright summed up the feeling within the team afterwards:

“Honestly guys, that second half was so much better. We played with spirit and were the better team. It wasn't our day, but it will come.”

The 5-2 scoreline may have gone against Chesterfield, but the away side can take plenty from the way they responded after the break. The fight, spirit and attacking intent shown in the second half will give them something to build on as they look ahead to their next fixture.

POM awarded to the WHOLE team for their 2nd half fight back!

Match report by Chloe.