Dorset Sport
Cherries: Spireites end long unbeaten away run
7:00am Saturday 28th January 2012
LIAM Ridehalgh bagged the only goal of the game as Cherries’ impressive unbeaten away run was ended by League One strugglers Chesterfield last night.
Ridehalgh’s stunning strike earned the Spireites a precious victory in their battle to avoid the drop as Cherries’ colours were lowered for the first time on the road since early September.
Boss Lee Bradbury made two changes to the Cherries starting line-up with Shaun MacDonald and Steven Gregory drafted in for Michael Symes and Harry Arter.
Arter was ruled out after suffering a dead leg in training, while Symes dropped down to the bench as Bradbury opted for a switch in formation.
Gregory acted as a shield in front of the back four, while Wes Fogden and Marc Pugh supported lone striker Wes Thomas.
Chesterfield were penned inside their own half for long periods of the first 45 minutes, although the Spireites did lay claim to the clearest goalscoring opportunity.
It came after Cherries defender Stephane Zubar had squandered possession three minutes before the break, gifting Jack Lester a run on goal.
However, after the veteran striker had advanced to the edge of the 18-yard box, his powerful left-foot drive was well saved by Darryl Flahavan.
Cherries made most of the early running with the visitors’ midfield dictating proceedings as Chesterfield were forced to defend in numbers.
MacDonald fashioned the first chance after 10 minutes, the Welshman screwing his shot wide from a central position.
Cherries had a flimsy appeal for a penalty waved away by Premier League referee Andre Marriner after Pugh had gone to ground under a challenge by James Hurst in the 16th minute.
Fogden seized on a slack pass from Josh Thompson midway through the first half, only to drag his shot well wide of the target.
Spireites goalkeeper Tommy Lee was called into action to parry a header from Thomas, the Cherries striker meeting Pugh’s excellent delivery from a corner.
Chesterfield threatened for the first time six minuntes before half-time when Thompson headed over following a Liam Ridehalgh free kick, with Simon Francis booked for a foul in the lead up.
As the first half drew to a close, Lester went close to breaking the deadlock, only for Flahavan to save the day for Cherries with a fine stop.
Fogden went close to opening the scoring at the start of the second half, the midfielder stretching to meet Pugh’s cross with a header that flew wide.
Flahavan again thwarted Lester, the Cherries goalkeeper diving full length to his right to claw away the striker’s low effort which had been destined for the bottom corner.
Ridehalgh bagged what proved to be the only goal of the contest after 54 minutes, the midfielder’s thunderous drive rocketing into the roof of the net to give Flahavan no chance.
Cherries supporters, who had travelled to Derbyshire in their numbers, were convinced Bradbury’s men had levelled, only for Cook’s header to drop the wrong side of the upright.
A delicate chip from Pugh landed on the roof of the net before Lee saved smartly after Thomas had let fly with a crisp low drive from around 12 yards.
Lee got down to snaffle an angled shot from Thomas before substitute Symes went close to grabbing a dramatic late leveller, his strike blocked by a defender.
Cherries (4-1-4-1): Flahavan, Francis, Zubar, Cook, Daniels, Fogden, Gregory, MacDonald (Fletcher, 76), Purches (Symes, 64), Pugh, Thomas.
Unused subs: Carmichael, Cummings, Jalal (g/k).
Booked: Francis.
Spireites (4-4-2): Lee, Hurst, Thompson, Trotman, Robertson, Talbot, Davis, Allott, Ridehalgh, Lester, Boden (Bowery, 79).
Unused subs: Whitaker, Mendy, Smith, Fleming (g/k).
Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands).
Attendance: 6,958 (inc 599 away fans).