Fleetwood Town 0-1 Chesterfield
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake’s first half goal proved the difference as Fleetwood Town slipped to a narrow home defeat to Chesterfield this afternoon.The striker put the visitors in the lead after 30 minutes, as he converted a rebound from inside the six yard box.
Two changes were made to the the Cod Army side from the team that beat Barnsley last weekend, as Club captain returned in defence after a lengthy injury lay-off.
Pond replaced Richard Wood, who ironically signed for the Spireites in midweek, and he was named amongst the visitors’ substitutes at Highbury.
Jimmy Ryan’s suspension meant youngster Jack Sowerby was handed a starting spot in midfield alongside Antoni Sarcevic and Eggert Jonsson.
And it was Sowerby who had the game’s first chance, as he picked the ball up in midfield and shot low at Tommy Lee from distance but the keeper held his effort.
Jamie Proctor went close to beating Lee after David Ball had got a shot away on the edge of the box which the keeper fumbled, but the striker clipped over from close range.
The home side were indebted to Chris Maxwell midway through the half as he pulled off a stunning save at his near post to deny Ebanks-Blake.
Ebanks-Blake was a danger again soon after as he directed Drew Talbot’s cross goalwards, but Maxwell was on hand to deny the frontman.
The Spireites went ahead on the half hour mark as Ebanks-Blake was on hand to tap home a rebound from inside the six yard box.
Ball and Proctor looked for a way back into the game, with the latter turning on the edge of the area and testing Lee with a curled strike.
Rai Simons threatened at the end of the half for the visitors, but Pond blocked bravely to deny the tricky winger’s attempt from distance.
Town had the ball in the back of the net at the start of the second half, however Proctor’s near post header was cancelled out for offside.
Steven Pressley’s men continued to pressure the opposing backline, and Ball did well to burst into the area only to be denied by Lee.
Proctor was in on the action again, this time meeting Amari’i Bell’s dangerous cross from the left and heading over Lee’s bar.
Chances were being created time and time again by the Cod Army, and Bobby Grant’s long range effort curled just wide of the far post.
In what was the Spireites’ first real effort of the second period, Chris Herd burst into the area on the hour and shot just over Maxwell’s bar.
Substitute Joe Davis later played a neat one-two with Sowerby, and let fly from the edge of the box but shot straight at Lee.
Talbot had an opportunity when a cross from the right found him at the back post, and the left back’s effort flew just over.
The home side rallied for an equaliser late on, with substitute Declan McManus going close inside the box but the visitors held on for victory.