Ben Smith
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bensportstory.bsky.social
Ben Smith
@bensportstory.bsky.social
University of Central Lancashire Sports Journalism Graduate (First Class Hons) | Now Chesterfield FC reporter at North Derbyshire Radio Sport
Chesterfield’s exit from the Vertu Trophy is hardly a disaster, but for the second time in four outings in the competition, they’ve not really come close to looking competitive against Doncaster Rovers tonight.

Regardless of context, that element is disappointing.

#Spireites
December 2, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Funny old game, football.

Chesterfield have offered less at times this season than they did in the first half and picked up more to show for their efforts.

That said, the second 45 that followed felt like the latest missed opportunity for the Spireites to build some genuine momentum. ⬇️

#Spireites
🎥 Final thoughts from the SMH Group Stadium, where Chesterfield have slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Swindon Town in this afternoon’s League Two fixture.

Provided by @bensportstory.bsky.social

#Spireites
November 29, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Reposted by Ben Smith
So, that’s two changes from the XI that started the 3-3 draw at Crewe Alexandra last time out, with Liam Mandeville and Dylan Duffy replacing Ronan Darcy and James Berry respectively.

Meanwhile there’s no Janoi Donacien,
with Jamie Grimes taking his place on the bench.

#Spireites
🚨Confirmed Chesterfield team news for this afternoon’s League Two fixture against Swindon Town 🚨

XI: Hemming; Tanton, Dunkley, McFadzean, Gordon; Naylor, Fleck; Markanday, Mandeville, Duffy; Bonis

SUBS: Boot, Daley-Campbell, Grimes, Lewis, Darcy, Berry, Dickson.

#Spireites
November 29, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Reposted by Ben Smith
🎥 Pre-match preview from the SMH Group Stadium, where Chesterfield host Swindon Town in this afternoon’s League Two fixture.

Provided by @bensportstory.bsky.social

#Spireites
November 29, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Coming back to this, and think the biggest conflict right now is judging Chesterfield individually vs collectively.

The Spireites have quality players (Berry, Zach Hemming, Dilan Markanday, Lee Bonis) hitting good form but not sure that’s totally translated to being a good *team* yet.

#Spireites
Another rather puzzling afternoon watching Chesterfield at Crewe Alexandra.

Glimpses of their best (a déjà vu-inducing opener from James Berry and sweeping counter for the second amongst them) but also plenty of reminders of their weak points.

A difficult team to place right now.

#Spireites
November 24, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Another rather puzzling afternoon watching Chesterfield at Crewe Alexandra.

Glimpses of their best (a déjà vu-inducing opener from James Berry and sweeping counter for the second amongst them) but also plenty of reminders of their weak points.

A difficult team to place right now.

#Spireites
November 22, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Intrigued to see how Gunner Elliott does on loan at Matlock Town.

Having been injured earlier in the season, it’s a great opportunity to get up to speed with some (hopefully) regular minutes in a senior environment.

Also remains within the @ndrsport.bsky.social patch, which is fun!

#Spireites
November 19, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Watched Saturday’s game back, and wonder if David Artell might play things differently re: subs after the red card in hindsight.

Taking Charles Vernam off meant Grimsby Town had a lot more ‘shuffling’ to do, allowing Chesterfield to start connecting those wide triangles more regularly.

#Spireites
November 17, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Had a look into this out of curiosity and the swing in momentum is… pretty clear 😅

Before red card (53rd minute):

Shots (xG): ⚫️ 10 (0.98) - 2 (0.27) 🔵

After red card:

Shots (xG): ⚫️ 2 (0.16) - 6 (0.61) 🔵

𝙂𝙖𝙢𝙚-𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 🟥

(Source: @optaanalyst.optajoe.com)

#Spireites
Not a revelation that red cards change games, but think that was especially true of Christy Pym’s today.

Prior to that it was a tight game with Grimsby Town probably in the ascendancy, but the dismissal handed Chesterfield a platform on which they built to their winner.

#Spireites
November 17, 2025 at 12:04 PM
And that does feel a big win.

Against 10 men yes, but the difference in how the Spireites moved up the gears with a man advantage here and in similar circumstances in the 1-0 defeat at Walsall in September was night and day.

The task now? Follow it up at Crewe Alexandra next weekend.

#Spireites
Not a revelation that red cards change games, but think that was especially true of Christy Pym’s today.

Prior to that it was a tight game with Grimsby Town probably in the ascendancy, but the dismissal handed Chesterfield a platform on which they built to their winner.

#Spireites
November 15, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Not a revelation that red cards change games, but think that was especially true of Christy Pym’s today.

Prior to that it was a tight game with Grimsby Town probably in the ascendancy, but the dismissal handed Chesterfield a platform on which they built to their winner.

#Spireites
November 15, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Game ON! ⬇️

#Spireites
November 15, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Grimsby have now confirmed tomorrow’s game will be subject to a precautionary pitch inspection at 10:30 tomorrow morning.

Not particularly surprising, given today’s weather conditions.

#Spireites
November 14, 2025 at 4:56 PM
First leg of a tough triple-header for Chesterfield tomorrow.

Grimsby Town lead League Two for xG (26.2) and have the third least xG against (15.3), totalling an again division-leading xGD of +10.9.

The Spireites rank 18th (17.1), 15th (20.8) and 18th (-3.6) in those same categories.

#Spireites
Looking ahead to November, and Chesterfield’s schedule sees them travel to Grimsby Town (6th), Crewe Alexandra (9th) and also host Swindon Town (2nd.)

Feels like a pretty significant run, particularly with just five points currently separating 1st and 13th in the League Two table.

#Spireites
November 14, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Neat timing with Chesterfield having played against Liverpool Under 21s in the Vertu Trophy on Tuesday:

Nico O’Reilly, who appeared against the Spireites for Manchester City’s youngsters in the competition last year, makes his first start for England tonight.

Quite the rise.
November 13, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Not a huge surprise to see Ryheem Sheckleford depart Chesterfield, joining Aldershot Town on a permanent basis.

Always seemed a possibility after he was left off the Spireites’ 22-man squad list despite vacant spaces.

A sad day though, as another National League winner departs.

#Spireites
November 13, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Confirmation that it’ll be Doncaster Rovers away for Chesterfield in the Vertu Trophy Round of 32.

Tie is slated for w/c December 1; the week building up to these two sides also meeting (albeit in reverse) in the FA Cup second round.

What are the chances on that?!

#Spireites
November 13, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Reposted by Ben Smith
As somewhat anticipated, plenty of changes, with Tom Naylor and Liam Mandeville the only remaining starters from Saturday.

Bailey Hobson, recently recalled from his loan at National League side Brackley Town, starts.

Meanwhile, Liverpool academy graduate Adam Lewis is not in the squad.

#Spireites
🚨Confirmed Chesterfield team news for tonight’s Vertu Trophy fixture against Liverpool Under 21s 🚨

XI: Boot; Tanton, Donacien, Grimes (C), Sheckleford; Naylor, Hobson; Mandeville, Darcy, Duffy, Dickson

SUBS: Daley-Campbell, Gordon, Cook, Fleck, Markanday, Berry, Bonis.

#Spireites
November 11, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Reposted by Ben Smith
🎥 Match preview from the SMH Group Stadium, where Chesterfield host Liverpool Under 21s in the group stage of the Vertu Trophy (7PM kick-off.)

Provided by @bensportstory.bsky.social

#Spireites
November 11, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Chesterfield swung wildly between the sublime and the shambolic today, so landing in the middle on a draw seems about right.

A shame Lee Bonis couldn’t convert at the end; the difference between third and 10th for the Spireites.

My take(s) on a crazy afternoon at the SMH Group Stadium.

#Spireites
🎥 Final thoughts from @bensportstory.bsky.social, who witnessed this afternoon’s incredible 3-3 draw between Chesterfield and Accrington Stanley at the SMH Group Stadium.

#Spireites
November 8, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Reposted by Ben Smith
🚨Confirmed Chesterfield team news for this afternoon’s League Two fixture against Accrington Stanley 🚨

XI: Hemming; Daley-Campbell, Dunkley, McFadzean, Gordon; Naylor, Fleck; Markanday, Mandeville, Berry, Bonis

SUBS: Boot, Tanton, Donacien, Lewis, Darcy, Duffy, Dickson.

#Spireites
November 8, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Reposted by Ben Smith
🎥 Match preview from the SMH Group Stadium, where Chesterfield host Accrington Stanley in League Two this afternoon.

Provided by @bensportstory.bsky.social

#Spireites
November 8, 2025 at 1:31 PM
A welcome home draw for Chesterfield in the FA Cup second round, and a pretty decent one in Doncaster Rovers.

The Spireites will need another League One scalp for a coveted Round Three spot, though they did do the double over the eventual fourth-tier champions last season.

#Spireites
November 3, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Having delved into these numbers pre-match, not overly surprised to see this afternoon’s game decided by the odd goal (and one from the penalty spot at that.)

Great effort from Chesterfield to ensure they emerged on the right side and secured a second round spot.

#Spireites
Doing my usual research for Chesterfield’s FA Cup tie on Saturday and Stevenage are an interesting case.

Despite being 4th in League One (with games in hand) their ‘expected’ numbers have them down in 19th.

Strong defending and set-pieces seemingly the key behind that over-performance.

#Spireites
November 1, 2025 at 5:14 PM
A rare absence for me today (typical…) but nonetheless pleased to see Chesterfield progress through the FA Cup first round.

To beat high-flying, higher-tiered opposition in Stevenage takes commendable effort.

A nice confidence-boosting moment for match-winner Lee Bonis, too.

#Spireites
November 1, 2025 at 4:57 PM