Webb eyes play-offs as Spireites surge back

By Gillian Winthrop

CHESTERFIELD 3

Colclough 55, Palmer 69, Madden 78

CHESTERFIELD: Boot 7, Mandeville 8, Palmer 8, McFadzean 7, Gordon 7, Metcalfe 7 (Naylor 73, 6), Fleck 6 (Madden 74, 7), Olakigbe 7, Dobra 7 (Banks 31, 6), Colclough 8 (Duffy 68, 7), Grigg 6 (Pepple 67, 7). Subs not used: Thompson, Grimes.

FLEETWOOD T 0

FLEETWOOD: Lynch 6, Rooney 7, Bennett 6, Potter 6, Hunt 7, Virtue 6 (Medley 77, 6), Neal 6, Helm 6, Marsh 6 (Morrison 60, 6), Devonport 6 (Moore 69, 6), Mayor 6. Subs not used: Hewitson, Bolton, Johnson, Mansfield.

Att: 7,739 Rating: ★★★★★ Ref: Ross Joyce 6/10

CHESTERFIELD assistant-manager Danny Webb still has his eyes on the playoffs after second-half goals from Ryan Colclough, Ash Palmer and Paddy Madden gave them a victory over Fleetwood Town.

“It had a bit of an end-of-season feel in the first half, but the second half changed things.

“We’re four points off the play-offs now so who knows? It’s still going to be a tough ask, but second halves like that are certainly going to help our cause.

“It felt a bit flat at half-time but as soon as Ryan scored, there was a bit of excite-ment running through people’s veins.

And I’m really pleased for Ryan.

“We’ve had a lot of players contribute and results like today make our return to the EFL feel pretty good so far.

“All you can do is enjoy your weekend and then look forward to a tough game at Wimbledon [on Good Friday].

“The fight isn’t over yet and that league table, I’m sure, will look very different at 6pm on Friday.”

Michael Olakigbe went close in the first half with a 25-yard effort that drifted just wide.

Fleetwood’s Matty Virtue then had a tame shot comfortably claimed by home goalkeeper Ryan Boot.

In first-half stoppage time Chesterfield’s Jenson Metcalfe curled an effort narrowly past a post.

Colclough then opened the scoring ten minutes into the second half, firing past Jay Lynch after cutting inside, holding off a defender, and driving into the penalty area.

Will Grigg threatened soon after, shooting wide following a pass from Olakigbe.

Boot then came to Chesterfield’s rescue with a fine save to deny Mark Helm.

Palmer made it two in the 69th minute, finding the net with a looping header from Liam Mandeville’s deep free-kick. Substitute

Madden completed the scoring in the 78th minute, firing home from Bim Pepple’s low cross.

After the match, Fleetwood boss Pete Wild said he felt there wasn’t much to choose between the two sides.

“Effort, application and desire was back, which is pleasing,” he said.

“We spent this week planning for a 3-5-2formation and then we had injuries and illness in the camp. For all those things chucked into a pot, I don’t think we’ve given it a bad crack today.

“The scoreline doesn’t really reflect what went on.”