TOURNAMENTS
Fourth round of matches in Over 50's League Report
The Spireites Over-50s team played their fourth round of matches in the Derbyshire League in mid-November. It was a relatively successful evening of walking football.
On the 12th November, the Spireites started with a match against Stanton. In a tight game, the boys in blue went in front following an excellent run and finish by Mark Pickering, but were unable to hold the lead to finish the game 1-1. The best result of the night came against Sandiacre. After a soft goal was conceded in the first half, goals from Yashin Umerji and Dave Simpson (2) left the Spireites to run out as 3-1 winners. In the final game, Chesterfield took the lead against a very good Kilburn side through Mark Pickering but were undone by two (contentious) penalty decisions that went in favour of Kilburn, ending up with a 3-1 loss.
On the 19th November, the Spireites first took on Burton Albion, a team that they had failed to beat in 3 attempts. In a close fought game, the Spireites scored the winner when Shawn Ward made a nice move forward onto a quick free-kick to finish superbly in the corner. Next up were Heanor, the current unbeaten leaders of the league, who took the lead early in the first half. The Spireites had a number of chances to equalise and played very well but were unable to get back on level terms. In the final game, the Spireites played Sandiacre who quickly took a 2-0 lead as defensive lapses were punished. In the second half the Spireites got a goal back through a nice finish from Darryl Davies, but ended up losing 2-1.
Darryl Davies, the Manager of the team, said after the last round of matches "The Spireites have done well so far in their first season in the league and have learned a lot about how the game is played on the relatively small pitch with a size 4 ball and small goals. For instance, scoring is quite low and it is important to get ahead as it is so difficult to get back into the match if you go behind. Also, possession is everything and you need to be patient and disciplined and not rush opportunities. We're pelased that improvements have been seen as the season has progressed and we move into 2026 with confidence."
Fourth Round of matches in Over 60's League Report
The fourth round of matches for the Over 60's took place in mid-December against Nottingham Reds and Nottingham Bramcote Whites.
Nottingham Reds 1 Chesterfield Senior Spireites 5. H/T 1-3
Goals for Spireites: Walker (1) Gibbins (1) Simpson (3)
The game started with the Spireites straight away on the front foot with Dave Simpson scoring a top draw goal beating a player and shooting into the top corner. Carl Gibbins added a second with a low right foot shot into the bottom corner. Nottingham Reds pulled a goal back with a direct free kick, but on half time Dave Simpson restored the two goal lead with a another good strike..
The second half was then dominated by the Spireites with Dave Walker adding the fourth goal and then Dave Simpson completing his hat trick . The Spireites held on comfortably keeping possession well and never looked in any danger.
Nottingham Bramcote Whites 1 Chesterfield Senior Spireites 0. H/T 0-0
This game was a tight affair and the game was always going to be settled by a solitary goal evident from the first minute.
That goal was scored by the Nottingham Whites in the second half on 19 mins . A shot was saved by John Warner onto the post, however, it rebounded off the post onto Johns back and into the net which was very unfortunate and goes down as an own goal in the records.
The Spireites pressed and encountered a very well disciplined team who proved hard to break down, going man for man in their own half and restricting space very well with everone behind the ball.
John Quinn almost scored an equiliser but the Bramcote Whites keeper was having a good day and he saved well from John who could not have hit the ball any better. A great save and it was not to be .
Manager Terry Ashley commented at the end of the games "the boys could have done no more, they gave me everything today..One day they will all look back at todays photo of this team and be able to say I was part of something special in 2025."
Match Day Squad: (back row) John Warner, David Simpson, John Quinn, Shane Starkey, Rob Church, Paul Slone. (front row) Carl Gibbins, Dave Walker, Terry Ashley (Manager),
Manohar Raju,
Over 70's fourth round of league matches
The fourth round of matches took place in late-November with a great set of results with the team continuing to play well together.
It was the best day yet for the Senior Spireites with 4 wins and 1 draw from 7 matches. The boys in blue scored 6 goals and conceded 3, all of which came in the two defeats so in total the team kept five clean sheets.
Bob Berry, the Manager of the team, said afterwards "The attitude of all the team continues to be very good and everybody was disciplined in whatever position they were chosen to play. This meant in every match the team was able to play a compact structured formation with everybody doing their job”.
The team sported a new kit which was kindly sponsored by Not Just T-Shirts in Chesterfield who were very helpful in doing the printing and getting the shirts ready on time. Thanks to Andy for his help and details of his business can be found at https://www.printingandembroidery.co.uk/
Latest Mel Pullen Cup won by the "Spares"!
The 5th Round of the Mel Pullen Cup took place at the 4G pitches at Cavendish Playing Field Matlock in early July.
Unfortunately, Mansfield Reds pulled out at the last minute leaving 3 teams, the holders of the Trophy MATLOCK , CHESTERFIELD Senior Spireites and MANSFIELD Town FC . To keep the 4 team format it was decided that subs from Mansfield and Chesterfield would form a forth team called the "SPARES" made up of substitutes.
The "SPARES" did really well and in fact ended up winning the trophy with 7 points (2 wins and a draw) without conceding a goal in all 3 games.
The Chesterfield part of the "SPARES " Richard BRADLEY, Steve DALISON and Mel PULLEN all of who play in sessions at Mansfield and Chesterfield. They were ably assisted by Chesterfield players Derek LOWE and Peter JACQUES.
The "SPARES" will defend the title in the next round to be held later this year .
The "SPARES" played in Mansfield town yellow shirts and A White Bib over this . Pete Jaques however refused to have the Mansfield Shirt next to his skin!
A good day was had by all and a special thanks to Dave Walker for organising the event.
Almelo 2025 Tournament details - click on photo to go to the Blog page
