North Derbyshire Radio’s Senior Chesterfield Reporter – Ben Smith reports
Chesterfield’s 2024/25 EFL Trophy campaign came to an end on Tuesday night, as they were eliminated by Rotherham United 4-3 on penalties.
The game had ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, but with Kane Drummond and Darren Oldaker ultimately unable to convert in the shoot-out, the home crowd at the SMH Group Stadium saw their side’s trophy run end at the round of 16 stage.
After an early scare was addressed by the strong arm of Ryan Boot and, unbeknownst to the Spireites’ ‘stopper, a delayed offside flag, Chesterfield went on to enjoy the majority of the first half’s brighter moments.
Their best chance arguably fell to debutant striker Bim Pepple, with the ball landing at the feet of the recently-acquired Luton Town loanee after a deflected effort from Armando Dobra.
However, Pepple couldn’t quite get the ball out of his feet and his chance of making the perfect first impression would also be smothered by the Rotherham defence.
Dobra, a near-constant threat in the first hour, then twice went close himself either side of half-time, seeing a pair of curling effort narrowly clear the post and crossbar respectively.
The visitors’ best spell in regulation time came just after the 60-minute mark, as first Reece James and then Cohen Bramall delivered delicious looking crosses into the box, only to see resulting headed efforts land harmlessly in the stand behind the goal.
Home captain Jamie Grimes also produced a couple of brilliant blocks during that period to ensure the score remained level, and level it would remain as the referee blew for full-time.
That meant straight to penalties in this competition, and it was Drummond who would blink first in that shoot-out, with his spot-kick well saved by Millers’ ‘keeper Cameron Dawson.
Paul Cook’s side were handed a brief lifeline when Joe Powell ballooned his effort over the bar, only for Oldaker to suffer similar misfortune immediately afterwards.
That would eventually leave Cameron Humphreys with the chance to win the tie, and he coolly stroked home from 12 yards to ensure it was Rotherham United’s name that will be a part of the quarter-final draw.
Chesterfield, meanwhile, will go back on the hunt for a first win since December 21 as they return to League Two action away at Grimsby Town on Saturday.
