Monday 29th November 2010
by PAUL FISHER

1997 was a year of great joy to Chesterfield FC supporters, as they saw their team reach the semi finals of the world's greatest club competition - an unusual event for a side in the lower echelons of the Football League.

During that cup run, the Spireites defeated Wrexham to go on to the Semi Finals, and a game that would become the most lucrative match that Saltergate ever staged.

The winner, scored by Chris Beaumont, in front of thousands of supporters plus viewers live on BBC Wales, set the tone of the remarkable run for Chesterfield and captured the hearts of the nation as they fought their epic battle against Middlesbrough.

Fast-forward to 2010, and we still haven't beaten a league side in the FA Cup since that Quarter Final victory over now non-league Wrexham. The Welsh club dropped out of the Football League in 2008, but at the time was trading punches with the Spireites in what is now League One.

Yesterday, the run continued with a confusing display, which pretty much effectively summed up their luck at present. The majority of the time, the Spireite players were left chasing shadows as the Burton plan of attack showed itself - to flood the midfield and create problems all around the box.

Defensive lapses don't help the cause either, and it was another two of those that gave the Brewers their half time advantage. Aaron Webster was allowed to turn with his back to goal to fire Burton ahead. Ten minutes later and it was two, a lovely pass by Russell Penn set Jacques Maghoma free and he slotted easily past Tommy Lee.

The second half was interesting fare - the Spireites keen to impress, pushed on though were slightly hampered leading goalscorer Craig Davies limping off with what appeared to be a tight hamstring. Tendayi Darikwa came on for his first appearance for the Spireites. Chesterfield went three at the back and impressed but missed the clinical edge that would have earned a replay.

Eventually in the final moments, Jordan Bowery had the ball in the back of the net after good work through Darikwa, but Burton settled the match by catching the Spireites on the break and James Collins slotted one home to end all dreams of reaching the third round.

To their credit Burton,at the moment look, like the hoodoo side that we all just don't want to play.

Chesterfield changed their system in the second half and stemmed the flow of traffic that was steaming towards their defence in the first half. It was a tactic that only worked as Burton changed to defence mode and forced the Spireites to go around the sides.

Chesterfield supporters were frustrated I'm sure - though over 2,000 travelled on a bitterly cold day, after the pitch being only passed fit at around noon, and seemed to enjoy their day out despite the result.

In 1997, Tony Bullimore was rescued from a capsized yacht in the Indian Ocean. It's hoped this Chesterfield defeat, their third in four matches, won't capsize their season, but turn things around and steer them into victory in the biggest game of the season so far, away at Bury next weekend.

For more information and other CFC news, go to www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk

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