Chesterfield @ The Proact Stadium10/2/2015

**themaclad** · 08-02-2015, 11:32

A second trip down the M1 in a week as we venture into Derbyshire for a vital league game against Play off rivals Chesterfield. Only our second trip to the Proact last time we won 2-0, I was there for that and I will be there again on Tuesday.
It's a well designed new stadium with decent facilities but does not have the charm and quality of the away end of Saltergate, with it's open air bogs, crap weather, always tended to play there in the warm months usually between November and February and most times always got pissed wet through although the last two times I went there we won both 1-0.
Led Chesterfield 3-0 in the return game before majestically nearly throwing it away thanks to a Doyle hattrick. Luckily he's now in South Wales and we now also have Johnson who played for them as well.
They still have Gary Roberts a quality player at this level. They won yesterday with a slightly freaky goal so won't be easy, if we play like we did yesterday we will struggle. Full report sometime on Wednesday.

Devongone · 08-02-2015, 13:11

Roberts is injured and definitely out.

Very nice to read the words "play off rivals". If we reached the play-offs we might become that ....... but unless you go all the way to the Cup Final I can't see anything actually keeping you out of the top six.

Obviously you'll be sending the reserves to the Prozac as you don't want any injuries for the United game.

Hope you put Kev on so our fans can see him ...... and maybe our centre backs will be able to keep pace with him.

Johnson seems like a good signing. As he did well at Chesterfield and Oldham I wonder about Villa's use of the loan system. They seem only have used it to get rid of him and never to have considered whether he might have been worth a run in a pretty poor premier league midfield.

Good luck ....... starting about Wednesday lunchtime ......

**themaclad** · 08-02-2015, 17:01

Hello Devon, no first team will be arriving on Tuesday we are still after automatic

Devongone · (This post was last modified: 09-02-2015, 16:08 by Devongone.)

Good luck with that ambition. At the moment you do look like a stranded marathon runner, off the pace of the three in medal positions, clear and running stronger than the chasing pack. Of course a lot can change in the last few miles. A fully-fit Garner could change things round ........

Just don't start your run too early. I'm thinking Wednesday, Thursday onwards might be the time to start planning foot-on-the-gas time.

**themaclad** · 09-02-2015, 12:07

Garner slowly being eased back also have Robinson to return who is highly rated youngster on loan from Villa, just had a dodgy month won last two with very varying performances, one average one good, probably get an inbetween performance tomorrow night.

Devongone · 09-02-2015, 16:16

Deep down I keep thinking it is three more wins for us to avoid relegation.

Once we've got them I might go on to thinking the closer we can get to Preston the more likely the play-offs.

**themaclad** · 11-02-2015, 00:33

Sod the play offs auto is now back on your lads battled well but 10 men for 88 minutes is never easy

Devongone · 11-02-2015, 11:37

I get the impression a lot hinges on Garner for you. You're play-offs without him, but with him?

Everyone has to remember teams do lose. Swindon did last night. When a team's bad run coincides with a rival coming good big gaps in points can close quickly.

Which is why I still want three wins to avoid relegation.

**themaclad** · (This post was last modified: 11-02-2015, 15:03 by themaclad.)

An efficient rather than spectacular performance by North End saw off a battling Chesterfield side by 2-0 at a freezing Proact Stadium. An explosive first two minutes could have seen two goals but did see a sending off. Within a minute Chesterfield could have been ahead, a free kick went narrowly wide of the far post. Within a minute Hird had brought Garner down when he was bearing down on goal, red card as last man. The resulting free kick was half saved by Lee but Wright headed over when well placed.
It was then a case of wait and see how long it was before North End finally managed to break down the home side, it took 30 minutes although they had gone close but not close enough, Lee making several vital saves. North End had to be on their guard as the home side tried to play on the break but rarely caused Johnstone any problems although there was a majestic dive by Lavery.
When the goal came it was no surprise to see that scorer was Garner, but the assist came from Davies, inch perfect cross and a super header from 12 yards by the returning striker.
Second half was more open as the home side to their credit gave it a go, North End were a tad over complicating things by trying to walk the ball in at times but again were denied by Lee. The home side tried valliantly but only a shot from distance and a great chance for Harrison from close range which he scooped over the bar were the sum total of their efforts.
North End closed the game out 15 minutes from time after a scramble in the box a Davies header hit the bar and Garner put in the rebound.
Job done, with Swindon and Franchise losing the gap has closed to four points.
Next up some hoof ball team from Manchester.

Chesterfield 0 Preston North End 2 Att 6309

Your right Devon having someone like Garner up front is vital, we are a happy club now the Jackal is fit again