Andy Bell Photographers
 
 

ADVERTISING

Chesterfield Post advertising
 

Chesterfield Post advertising

 

Chesterfield Town FC News

Molyneux's Hat Trick Stuns Spireites. Match Report


Monday 10th March 2014
by Richard Stacey


 

SkyBet League Two
Accrington Stanley 3-1 Chesterfield FC
Store First Stadium, Saturday 8th March, 2014, ko 3pm

Lee Molyneux's first half hat-trick earned 10-man Accrington Stanley a stunning 3-1 victory over Paul Cook's table topping Spireites at the Store First Stadium, with Ian Evatt's late consolation goal giving the Spireites some late hope.

Lee Molyneux's first half hat-trick earned 10-man Accrington Stanley a stunning 3-1 victory over Paul Cook's table topping Spireites at the Store First Stadium, with Ian Evatt's late consolation goal giving the Spireites some late hope.

Cook
(above) made one change from the side that drew 0-0 against Portsmouth in Monday's Sky TV draw, Armand Gnanduillet was restored up top in place of Eoin Doyle.

It had been said beforehand that loanee Ian Dunbavin couldn't face his home club, so the Spireites went in without a keeper on the bench which featured only six subs.

Former England man and Accrington boss James Beattie however, made five changes to the side which lost 2-1 at Burton last weekend.

New loan signing - Wigan's Adam Buxton - made his debut at right back with Nicky Hunt suspended, whilst with illness ruling out Michael Liddle, Kal Naismith and Shay McCartan - Laurence Wilson ,Will Hatfield and James Gray came into the team. Beattie's final change saw Danny Webber start ahead of Kayode Odejayi, who dropped to the bench with Stanley scholar Max Hazeldine joining him.

Both sides looked lively after kickoff and Stanley created the first opportunity as midfielder James Gray tested the Spireites' backline with a teasing delivery, narrowly missing the far post.

Immediately afterwards, a mix-up between Keeper Marcus Bettinelli and Tom Aldred saw Gary Roberts free on goal but the former Stanley man stumbled after rounding Bettinelli, allowing Dean Winnard to get back and flick the ball clear of danger.

A minute later, Accrington took the lead after a free-kick struck by Molyneux appeared to be deflected enough to evade everyone, including Tommy Lee in the Spireites' goal to give Stanley the lead.

1-0

The Spireites though should have leveled in the 6th minute - Armand Gnanduillet seemed to have the easiest of chances to level the scores  but  side-footed a glorious chance wide from 6 yards after collecting Roberts centre after a jinking run down the wing.

The game continued at a pace and Molyneux went close again but was unable to capitalise on a mix up in the heart of the Chesterfield defence, and he raced clear only to drag his shot wide of the goal.

Stanley though added to the Spireites woes and doubled their lead in controversial circumstances in the 9th minute, as referee Scott Mathieson ruled that Richie Humphries had brought down Will Hatfield in the area.

Former Manchester United man Danny Webber's kick was saved by Tommy Lee but the lively Molyneux followed up to blast the ball in to the roof of the net. The Spireites seemed to complain about encroachment but the referee gave the goal.

2-0

Chesterfield now looked uncomfortable at the back and Molyneux thought he had a hat-trick when he fired through Lee's legs but Murphy was offside in the build-up to make the midfielder's joy short-lived.

The Spireites tried to fight their way back into the game - Richie Humphreys' pin point delivery in to the box, ripe for Gnanduillet to head goalward, but his effort was well parried by Bettinelli who then saw the loose ball fall to Roberts, whose goal bound shot was cleared by Buxton off the line.

Sadly for the Spireites, Gardner left the field on a stretcher with a suspected broken ankleThings could have got even worse for the Spireites on the half hour mark, as an incisive Stanley break away saw Gray sneak in behind the defence, but a splendid Lee save kept it at 2-0.

On 31 minutes, a robust challenge by Murphy on Dan Gardner (left), gave referee Mathieson no choice but to issue Murphy a second yellow card.

Sadly for the Spireites, Gardner left the field on a stretcher with a suspected broken ankle.

Marc Richards replaced the injured Gardner and with Stanley down to ten men, the Spireites took some control of the game creating pressure on the home goal but without really creating any clear cut openings, besides an Ollie Banks effort at the back post - his well struck half-volley going narrowly over.

In first half injury time, things got worse for Cook's men.  Sam Morsy, under pressure from Hatfield and Webber, squared a ball across his own penalty box to Molyneux who bore down on goal to stroke the ball home past Lee for a stunning hat-trick.

3-0

With the referee about to blow for half-time, Ollie Banks lunged in on Gray, sparking outrage amongst the players with Stanley skipper Luke Joyce the most vocal protester. The two sides went into the break at each other's throats after an incessantly entertaining and breathtaking opening half.

Darikwa was the not adjudged to have been fouled in the area just before the break and as both benches left the field, Stanley assistant Paul Stephenson and Spireite boss Paul Cook were sent to the stands for the second period.
 
HT: 3-0
 
Beattie brought on Windass for Webber at the break and the Spireites started the second half having to chase the game.

Ollie Banks was playing deeper with Jimmy Ryan on the right but the Spireites could only muster two tame headers from Gnanduillet and Richards, both heading straight at Bettinelli in the Stanley goal.

Paul Cook had to change things and duly did, with Jay O'Shea and Eoin Doyle replacing Gnanduillet and Ryan just before the hour mark. Richards went close again but his header was into the side-netting.

Ian Evatt moved upfront and Stanley made a double change with centre back Atkinson replacing Buxton and former Rotherham striker Odejayi replacing Gray.

Ian Evatt who had also seen a an earlier attempt ruled out, finally got on the score sheet after a neat swivel and shotThere was some hope for travelling fans as the ball ended up in the Stanley net on three occasions - only for the linesman's flag to intervene, with Ollie Banks being disappointed on two occasions.

Ian Evatt (left), who had also seen a an earlier attempt ruled out, finally got on the score sheet after a neat swivel and shot following a defensive clearance found the back of the net.

3-1

The Spireites' skipper then nearly made it 3-2 moments later after he latched on to Roberts' corner kick, but his goal bound header was somehow cleared by Stanley's Aldred underneath his own crossbar.

Substitute Jay O'shea also went close late on, but Chesterfield left the Store First Stadium empty handed as they fell to a 3-1 defeat.

FT: 3-1


The Spireites have to regroup quickly ahead of a Tuesday night trip to Kingstonians ground to face AFC Wimbledon.
 
 
Accrington Stanley:
Bettinelli, Murphy, Joyce, Aldred, Winnard, Webber (Windass, 45), Hatfield, Molyneux, Gray (Odejayi, 71), Wilson, Buxton (Atkinson, 71)
Subs not used: Dawber, Naismith, Hazeldine, Bowerman.
 
Chesterfield:
Lee, Darikwa, Evatt (c), Cooper, Humphreys, Ryan (O'Shea, 57), Morsy,
Gardner (Richards, 35), Banks, Roberts, Gnanduillet (Doyle, 57)
Subs not used: Smith, Togwell, Hird.
 
Goals: Accrington Stanley (Molyneux 4', 8', 45+5') 3 - 1 Chesterfield (Evatt 85')
 
Attendance: 1,968 (601 Chesterfield)

Referee: Scott Mathieson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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

RECENT STORIES

GARY ROBERTS IS NAMED SKYBET LEAGUE TWO PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2014 -
Chesterfield FC's Gary Roberts has been named the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Year at The Football League Awards 2014. More...

AND THEN THERE WERE EIGHT... SPIREITES vs OXFORD MATCH REPORT -
Chesterfield returned to winning ways with a convincing 3-0 win over eight-man Oxford at the Proact to stay top of SkyBet League Two. More...

DOVES EYE VIEW - "NICE TO SEE U'S". OXFORD PREVIEW -
Despite gaining only two points from the last three games, the Spireites are still top of SkyBet League Two as they prepare to face Oxford United at the Proact Stadium on Saturday. More...

THE PAUL COOK INTERVIEW. LOOKING FORWARD TO
OXFORD UNITED -

With just 10 games left until the end of the 2013/14 campaign, Chesterfield boss Paul Cook admitted in his pre match look at this Saturday's home game against Oxford United, that the pressure is on! More & Audio...

CHESTERFIELD
SIGN TEENAGE STRIKER FROM
DERBY COUNTY -

Chesterfield have signed teenage striker Mason Bennett from Derby County on a month's loan. More...

SPIREITES MAKE A POINT AGAINST THE DONS.
MATCH REPORT -

Chesterfield picked up what could be a valuable point on the road last night - after coming from behind at Wimbledon to draw 1-1. More...

THE PAUL COOK INTERVIEW - "LOSING DAN (GARDNER) IS A BLOW!" -
It was a philosophical Paul Cook who faced the media on Monday morning - less than 48 hours after his side slumped to a 3-1 defeat at his former club, Accrington Stanley.
More & Audio...

'BLUES ON THE MOVE' PRIZE WINNERS FOR WEEK 44 -
Week 44 results. Check the Chesterfield Post every week to see if you're a winner or to join in! More...

THE PAUL COOK INTERVIEW - "WE'RE A POINT NEARER WHERE WE WANT TO BE!" -
It will be familiar territory for Paul Cook on Saturday when his Chesterfield side make the journey to Accrington Stanley. More & Audio...

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR MEMORIES OF SALTERGATE TO BE SEEN IN PRINT -
Email from an author who is seeking Chesterfield fans who would like to contribute to a new book - regarding leaving one football ground for a new one. More...

TOMMY LEE SAVES THE DAY FOR CHESTERFIELD. MATCH REPORT -
Not a game that had 0-0 written all over it on paper, a determined and organised Portsmouth held Chesterfield to just one point after a game of chances which neither side converted. More...

DOVES EYE VIEW - A WEEK'S A LONG TIME IN FOOTBALL! POMPEY PREVIEW -
What a difference a week makes! Last Saturday evening we were in despair, reflecting on a poor Chesterfield performance at lowly Wycombe which ended in a 1-0 defeat. More...

SPIREITES HOPE TO 'PLAY DOWN POMPEY' IN FRONT OF SKY TV CAMERAS -
It is a rare weekend without a game for Chesterfield, as they prepare to take on Portsmouth in front of the Sky cameras on Monday evening More & Audio...

A MAGNIFICENT SEVEN MINUTES
PUSH CHESTERFIELD 'FOUR'-WARD -

It may be the Cheltenham Festival week - but it was Chesterfield FC who were at the races last night, bringing home 3 points after a stunning victory at Whaddon Road - bagging 4 goals and holding onto their lead at the top of League Two. More...

THE PAUL COOK INTERVIEW - BEING POSITIVE AND LOOKING FORWARD! -
With just 14 League games to go until the end of the season, tests are coming thick and fast for the Spireites, with midweek matches scheduled for the foreseeable future.
More & Audio...

'BLUES ON THE MOVE' PRIZE WINNERS FOR WEEK 42 -
Week 42 results. Check the Chesterfield Post every week to see if you're a winner or to join in! More...

SPIREITES TAKE A BACK SEAT TO CHAIRBOYS. MATCH REPORT -
The Spireites lost a scrappy game at Adams Park to end their six match unbeaten League run, allowing Scunthorpe to draw level on points at the top of League Two, after they put five past Portsmouth. More...

THE CHRIS TURNER INTERVIEW - "WE'RE ON TARGET & ON OUR WAY TO WEMBLEY!" -
In case you hadn't heard, Chesterfield will be travelling en masse to Wembley in 5 weeks time, where, for the second time in 3 seasons, they will compete in the JPT Final More & Audio...

THE PAUL COOK INTERVIEW - "WE'RE
IN A GOOD PLACE AT THE MOMENT!" -

It was an understandably happy Paul Cook who faced the media on Friday, ahead of the upcoming game against Wycombe, after he'd seen his side progress to the JPT final at Wembley More & Audio...

TICKET DETAILS ANNOUNCED FOR CHESTERFIELD'S JPT WEMBLEY FINAL -
Ticket details for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final, when Chesterfield face Peterborough United at Wembley, on Sunday, March 30th, have been released. More...

QUE SERA, SERA... CHESTERFIELD HEAD TO WEMBLEY! MATCH REPORT -
I'm delighted tonight for everyone connected to the club" - that was Chesterfield manager Paul Cook after seeing his side progress to the Wembley final of the JPT More...

THE PAUL COOK INTERVIEW PLUS A 'WEMBLEY WARNING' FROM ROBERTS -
Winger Gary Roberts has warned his Chesterfield team-mates the job is "only half-done" as they aim to complete their Wembley mission against Fleetwood Town.
More, Video & Audio...

 

 

Related Tags

Chesterfield FC Website



News   Community   Sport   Offers & Events   Leisure / Reviews   Public Services
Chesterfield Cranes