So, after the disappointment of the friendlies came further disappointment in the form of the departure of John Pemberton. Just 46 days into the belated 2020/21 season.
Where did it all go wrong?
The start of the season was supposed to kick off at newly promoted Wealdstone on the 3rd October, but was postponed at the eleventh hour due to a waterlogged pitch.
The first game for Chesterfield started at home against Hartlepool United. The last time they visited we lost 1-5. This time though they only won 1-2, Denton with the Spireites only goal from the spot. Things got worse when Scott Boden also got sent off for a dangerous tackle on their keeper (see pic).
Four days later, Woking came and to be frank, we battered them 4-0! Town had made two new signings since the Hartlepool defeat, Alex Kiwomya, a striker and Tyler Denton a defender but it was home grown lad Luke Rawson who shined. He scored twice within 6 mins 84' and 90' to go joint top CFC scorer with Tom Denton. I was lucky enough to had been sat where Rawson celebrated and you can see the pride on his young face in my photograph at the bottom of this page. Denton himself nodded in his second of the season just 4 mins after the kick off. Kiwomya claimed the other goal on his returning debut (see pic).
Tourquay away was the next fixture which didn't end well either. 2-1 to the home side but at least Tom Denton banged in a goal.
Stockport County then came to play and they too took all 3 points with a late winner which ended 1-2! Once again Tom Denton scored, this time from the spot.
This theme continued on a mid week trip to Wealdstone (the rearranged fixture from the opening day) and yes you guessed it, we lost. This time it ended 3-2 and yet again big Tom scored again, twice in fact. Another disappointment from the game was 38 year old striker NathanTyson getting injured again in the first half after coming back to start his first game of the season from injury.
The following game was the FA Cup fourth round qualifying tie. The Spireites travelled to Stockport County and boy was it a game to remember, because we won...yes that's right, we won. Or did we? As it turns out, no we didn't. Despite Butterfields equaliser and his winning penalty in the shoot out, that game had to be replayed due to a CFC administration error relating to loanee Jordan Cropper. This meant the losing theme continued when we replayed the game as we got thrashed 4-0. To add insult to injury (pardon the pun) Tyson got injured again early in the first half and was subbed off.
In-between these FA Cup games the spireites did play a league game away at Yeovil and managed to pick up all 3 points which moved us out of the drop zone with a Tom Denton goal. That took him to the league's second top scorer on 6 goals. So some good news there Spireites!
Next came the final two games in charge for John Pemberton. Home against Maidenhead and away at Altrincham. The losing theme continued in both. Despite taking the lead in both games with Boden scoring both openers, we still managed to drop all six points. This then on 18th November, the fans got what they were calling for, Pembertons head.
At the time of writing it's anyone's guess who will be the next Chesterfield boss.
Stay tuned and keep the faith Spireites!
Words & images: Michael South