Swindon 0-1 Chesterfield Six Things: Spireites fortunate

Caldwell enjoys first win as Spireites boss – leaguemanagers.com

Reece Mitchell’s 93rd minute winner gave Chesterfield a 1-0 win in their relegation clash with Swindon – but what are the key discussion points from the game?

Swindon played out from the back

Gary Caldwell said after the match that his team’s plan was to leave one of Swindon’s defenders on the ball and mark everyone else. This meant a lack of pressure on the ball from Chesterfield and when Krystian Dennis got close to Nathan Thompson or Raphael Rossi Branco, he did not show the aggression to steal it. The lack of support for Dennis and a stocky Sylvain Ebanks-Blake meant Swindon’s defenders, plus goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux, took their time in possession. They would always play it into midfield and that part of Swindon’s game worked.

Lack of movement up top

Swindon’s problems came when they got into the opposing half. While much of the criticism is directed at Anton Rodgers, he tried a few over the top balls but the likes of Jonathan Obika and Luke Norris were not running onto them. As a left-sider by trade, auxiliary right-winger James Brophy was reluctant to use his right foot and on the other side, Brandan Ormonde-Ottewill was slow to put crosses in. One of his deliveries saw Norris volley wide at the back-post on 17 minutes, before Thompson headed over Rodgers’ free-kick from a similar position two later.

Quiet first half

It was a first half in which neither team could exploit the other’s weaknesses. Chesterfield backed off Swindon too readily, Angel Martinez looking passive in midfield, yet Swindon were shot-shy and passed backwards whenever they found space. Equally, whenever Chesterfield left wing-back Dan Jones got forward, Bradley Barry gave him the space to cross from an advanced area, but few Chesterfield players were in the box. The goalless half-time score was down to a lack of attacking endeavour from both teams, as much as good defending.

Goddard looked bright

John Goddard replaced an anonymous Ben Gladwin at the break. The attacking midfielder looked lively with positive movement allowing him to get in behind and spark a 15-minute spell of pressure from the Robins. In that time, Rodgers and Obika both fired over before Brophy’s drive was saved well by Thorsten Stuckmann, as Chesterfield at times had all 11 players in their defensive third.

Subs key for the Spireites

Unlike Chesterfield’s midfielders in the first 86 minutes, baring perhaps Sam Hird, substitute Dan Gardner battled for the ball. Chesterfield got their best chance of the game when Ched Evans squared for fellow substitute Reece Mitchell to fire home in the third minute of added time. While centre-backs Ian Evatt and Tom Anderson stood strong in the second half, the team created next to nothing for 92 minutes and can consider themselves lucky to have won.

Survival chances

Mitchell’s goal is likely to have the biggest impact on the survival prospects of Swindon. The Robins are now three points off safety, set to play four of the division’s top six in the next four weeks. The late drama gives a glimmer of hope to Chesterfield, who need around five wins from their last 11 games. Their performance suggests that is unlikely – but hope springs eternal.