The Proact Stadium, home of Chesterfield FC since 2010 after the move from Saltergate. Nicknamed the “Spireites” after the town’s most famous landmark, the ‘Crooked Spire’. 14th April 2018 and it’s the big one! Mansfield the visitors and me and my brother Joe couldn’t wait! 2 towns 10 miles apart, Mansfield fighting for the play-offs whereas Chesterfield fighting relegation.
Arrival in to Chesterfield town centre and now for some pre-match beverages. Mansfield fans in fine voice, but no march to the ground today, the Police have got a coach to the ground for us, how nice! Mansfield fans starting to get restless! Where is this coach? 20 minutes before kick off and we were on our way thankfully, didn’t want to miss kick off. £20 to get into this one! Very good! Tension beginning in the stands, this is the one game both sets of fans want to win! Hatred in the air! The players walked out to a noise level that was off the scale!
Kick Off! A poor start to the game by both sides with very few chances. 19 minutes gone and Mal Benning with the ball on the left with a deep cross along the ground and it’s DANNY ROSE……… SAVED! Should have been the first goal but Rose hit the ball straight at Chesterfield’s Aaron Ramsdale. Mansfield fans dominating the atmosphere in enemy territory! “They’re going down! They’re going… Spireites are going down!” but the Chesterfield fans had a drum and were using it well. “Spireite till I die! I know I am I’m sure I am, I’m Spireite till I die!”
Towards the end of the first half and Chesterfield began to press the Mansfield goal. A long ball flicked on by Krystian Dennis to Laurence Maguire sliding in… Block by Conrad Logan! The loose ball fell to Zavon Hines!! But Alfie Potter’s challenge prevented Chesterfield taking the lead. Krystian Dennis then got on to a long ball on the right hand side, he cut inside and went for goal… Save by Conrad Logan! Chesterfield would fail to break down Mansfield before half time and the score would be 0-0.
Second half, another slow start to the half with little to shout about for both sides. 67 minutes and Mansfield’s Alfie Potter had the ball in the middle of the park playing it forward to CJ Hamilton who gave it to Mal Benning who drove into the Chesterfield box and strikes! IT’S IN!!!!! The Mansfield fans go CRAZY!!!! Limbs from me and Broseph and the rest of the Stags fans!! Mansfield won a corner 2 minutes after taking the lead, played short and crossed towards the far post, it’s RHYS BENNETT…… So close to 0-2…
Chesterfield had to come again, 79 minutes gone and the ball delivered into the Mansfield box headed away to the edge of the box to Louis Dodds who shot… Deflected and……. Oh it’s just wide!! Heart in your mouth moment for the Mansfield fans including myself. It deflected off his own man and was a goal kick. Chesterfield continued to press but could not find the equaliser in the end.
FT: Chesterfield 0-1 Mansfield Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 8/10 – A good atmosphere overall, Mansfield doing the town proud but Chesterfield not so much but is that due to their current position? Mansfield overall the better fans on the day.
- The Ground: 8/10 – It’s a lovely ground and fit for the Championship never mind the National League which is where they were headed at the time.
- Expense: 7/10 – £20 for a local derby is a great price and I thoroughly enjoyed it, great win for Mansfield but would’ve loved a few more goals and better behaviour from fans outside the ground at the end.
- Overall Experience: 8/10 – A great win for Mansfield and a great day altogether.
31/40