Report by North Derbyshire Radio’s Senior Football Correspondent Ben Smith
Chesterfield’s hopes of securing promotion from League Two were dealt a significant blow on Sunday as they were beaten 2-0 by Walsall in the first leg of their play-off semi-final.
First-half goals from Taylor Allen and Alfie Chang (the former coming from the penalty spot) secured victory for their side at the SMH Group Stadium, who now return home in a commanding position heading into Friday’s return fixture.
Even prior to the typical drama of the play-offs these two teams had endured quite the recent ride, with the Spireites stealing away the final postseason spot at the last possible opportunity, beating Accrington Stanley 1-0 on matchday 46 to pip Salford City to seventh place.
Meanwhile, their opponents were just seconds away from clinging on to automatic promotion with a final day win away at Crewe Alexandra, only for late heroics at Bradford City to see the latter seal a guaranteed ticket into next season’s League One line-up.
But if the Saddlers were feeling any hangover from that heartache they were certainly keen not to let it show as they were able to test home ‘keeper Ryan Boot within the opening minute of the match.
And a spot-kick would eventually bring them their breakthrough just before the half-hour mark, with Allen coolly converting from 12 yards after Liam Mandeville had been deemed to have committed a foul in his own box.
A little over 10 minutes later that advantage would be doubled, with Chang arriving at the edge of the area with expert timing to slam home his side’s second.
That left the hosts in a significant hole even with three quarters of a two-legged tie still to play, though they did start to threaten more when things resumed after the interval with Tom Naylor and then Mandeville going close.
Further Chesterfield chances would come and go with no return throughout the second 45, meaning a mighty effort will now be needed if their season is to be extended beyond Friday night.
