Chesterfield 0-0 Harrogate Town: We showed fight and endeavour – Simon Weaver

By Stephen Riley

CHESTERFIELD 0

HARROGATE T 0

Harrogate Town boss Simon Weaver was delighted with his side’s display in their goalless draw at Chesterfield.

The Yorkshire side secured a point on their travels at the SMH Group Stadium.

The result leaves the League Two side 11 points off from the relegation zone, which is currently occupied by Morecambe and Carlisle United.

Spireites failed to make it four consecutive league victories as they reside in 11th place in the table.

Gritty

Harrogate boss Weaver said: “I thought it was a brilliant, gritty display.

“The endeavour was there for anyone in the stadium, to see everybody on our side dug in.

“And we had to – they’re a very talented team for this level.

“The pitch in the first 20 minutes played well because the rainfall helped it.

“It helped their slick way of playing.

“We tried to set up to stop them playing with such fluency like we did at home.

“We then wanted to win the ball back in the middle third and break and make the first couple of passes clean so we couldopenthem up on the counter attack.

“It worked, which needs a little bit more end product to pose a bit more of an attacking threat, but in terms of the courage and conviction of the display, I was absolutely delighted.”

Match action

Chesterfield’s Armando Dobra ran at the Harrogate defence early on and saw his effort deflected for a corner.

Harrogate’s Bryn Morris then threatened with a free-kick which was parried by keeper Ryan Boot.

Boot again had to be alert in the second half to keep out another Morris free-kick.

Visiting keeper James Belshaw came to his side’s rescue, saving from Dobra’s curling shot.

The hosts applied some late pressure with Michael Olakigbe’s cross flashing across the face of goal.

Will Grigg, who was making his return to action as a substitute following a three-month lay-off, glanced on a Liam Mandeville cross and the effort was well-saved by Belshaw.

Disappointment

Chesterfield assistant-manager Danny Webb expressed disappointment that they failed to win.

Webb said: “It got better as it went on, in terms of our performance.

“Half-time, the gaffer wasn’t overly pleased and let the players know he wanted a little bit more in the second ball.

“We felt, especially around our box, we were clearing it and we landed on it straight away.

“As the game went on, I thought we started to dominate.

“We are disappointed that it wasn’t two extra points.

“There was only one team that I thought was going on to win the game.

“To be fair to Harrogate, they defended for their lives.

“You have to take the positives out of it.

“Four unbeaten and we’ve gone up a place, a few wins off the play-offs.”

Player ratings

Chesterfield: Boot 7, Gordon 7, Grimes 7, Palmer 7, Donacien 6 (Olakigbe 37, 6), Metcalfe 6 (Madden 88), Naylor 7 (Fleck 88), Dobra 7 (Colclough 87), Banks 7, Mandeville 7, Pepple 6 (Grigg 68, 6). Subs not used: Duffy, Thompson.

Harrogate Town: Belshaw 7, Bilongo 7 (Asare 53, 6), Moon 7, O’Connor 8, Burrell 7, Morris 7, Fox 6, Daly 6 (Cornelius 70, 6), Muldoon 6, Taylor 7, March 6 (Cursons 77, 6). Subs not used: Dooley, Gibson, Oxley, Sanderson.

Attendance: 8,540 Rating: ★★★ Referee: Benjamin Speedie 7/10

Star Man – Anthony O’Connor (Harrogate Town)