Chesterfield 2-3 Solihull Moors Match Report - Vanarama National League 19/2/22
Solihull Moors came back from two goals down to claim an impressive victory against ten men Chesterfield at The Technique Stadium.
Paul Cook took charge of his first home game back since returning to Chesterfield last week and he couldn't have asked for a better start as his team were two goals to the good within the first 20 minutes of the game thanks to strikes from Alex Whittle and former Moors forward Akwasi Asante.
A minute after Asante's goal, the Spireites were reduced to ten men as midfielder Curtis Weston was shown a straight red card for an apparent headbutt during an altercation.
Looking to make the extra man advantage count, Solihull managed to pull a goal back eight minutes before the half-time whistle. A cross from full back Harry Boyes found James Clarke at the back post who headed home beyond Scott Loach in the Chesterfield goal.
Within six minutes of the restart, Solihull pulled the game level. After some good football in which Solihull played the ball from right to left, a ball from Ryan Barnett found Callum Maycock free in the box as he calmly placed it past Loach.
Four minutes after they found an equaliser, Solihull completed the turnaround as Boyes smashed it past Loach and well as the Chesterfield wall as a result from an indirect free kick that was given away in the build-up to the goal.
Chesterfield lost top goalscorer Kabongo Tshimanga last week due to injury. Assistant Manager Danny Webb confirmed Tshimanga had suffered a leg fracture as well as a dislocated ankle in their 1-1 draw away to Weymouth and another serious looking injury in this game meant Chesterfield had to finish this game with nine men.
With all three substitutes used, a challenge by Andrew Dallas on Jak McCourt meant the Spireites midfielder had to be stretchered off the field in the closing moments of the game with Dallas lucky to escape any sort of punishment.
The defeat for Chesterfield means they remain in second but are now six points behind league leaders Stockport County. Stockport were victorious 1-0 over out of form Woking to strengthen their grip at the top of the table. The defeat was also the first time Chesterfield have lost at home this season.
The Spireites come up against another promotion chasing team in Wrexham on Tuesday night, looking to respond after picking up one point from their last two games.
The win for Neil Ardley's Solihull men keeps them 6th in the table and in a play-off place. Their next game is against 16th place Wealdstone on Tuesday night as they look to build on the win at The Technique Stadium to try and cement their place in the top seven.
Starting XI:
Chesterfield: 1. Loach, 12. Williams, 32. Kerr, 22. Grimes, 16. Kellermann, 8. Weston, 17. McCourt, 29. Whittle, 10. Mandeville, 27. Quigley, 9. Asante
Substitutes: 3. Miller, 6. Maguire, 24. Denton, 28. Khan, 30. Whelan
Solihull Moors: 1. Boot, 2. Clarke, 6. Gudger, 7. Sbarra, 8. Maycock, 10. Osborne, 11. Barnett, 14. Boyes, 19. Dallas, 22. Ellis, 24. Newton
Substitutes: 4. Storer, 9. Rooney, 12. McNally, 18. Malcolm, 27. Hudlin
Stadium: The Technique Stadium
Referee: Lewis Smith
Attendance: 7,391 (182 Away)