A big win for the Super Boro...
Stevenage ended the long wait for an away win on Saturday as they came away victorious from the Proact Stadium with a 1-0 win.
Ben Kennedy's goal early in the second half proving the difference as Boro thwarted the Spireites advances to see out the result.
Darren Sarll named two changes to the side that drew 0-0 at home to Carlisle last Saturday – Martin (injury) and Pett out for Vancooten and Franks.
Fraser Franks started in a deep midfield role, aiming to break up play in the centre of the park whilst protecting the defence.
He got off to the best possible start – winning the ball in midfield before playing the ball out for Newton to start a counter attack. Newton beat his man out wide but his cross for Kennedy had too much on it.
Chances came at a premium throughout the first half but Chesterfield’s Rowley came close after 5 minutes, firing the ball across the face of goal from a tight angle which zipped just past the post.
After a quiet opening 15 minutes for the Stevenage attack, Darren Sarll’s men started to get on top of the game and had Chesterfield camped back for much of the half.
Mark McKee’s free-kicks were causing the Spireites defence plenty of problems but once again, that final touch was just lacking for Boro.
Danny Newton came closest when his header crashed off the post, only to fall for Franks whose follow-up effort was blocked in a congested area. It was the best chance of the game up to that point and couldn’t have been much closer.
Hines might have put the home side ahead on 25 minutes but for Kristian Dennis’ run across his shot which was flagged offside. Aside from a couple of long range efforts, Tom King never looked in trouble during the opening period as both sides headed for the tunnel with the score at 0-0.
Franks picked up an early yellow card to start the second half after a late challenge on McCourt towards the by-line.
Just a few minutes back into proceedings, Stevenage grabbed the lead. After a long punt down the field, Kennedy looked to be chasing a lost cause but the Northern Irishman made the block on keeper Ramsdale, leaving a simple finish to make it 1-0 to Boro.
That goal sparked Chesterfield into life as they bore down on Stevenage’s defence at every given opportunity. Tom King was equal to a fine free-kick from Reed and McCourt arrowed a powerful effort just wide from the tightest of angles.
Kennedy and Godden soon made way for Pett and Conlon and it was the latter that came close to doubling Boro’s lead - ghosting in from the right hand side onto his favoured left foot, a Chesterfield man getting the block in to deny any route to goal.
Second later, Vancooten was needed to make his own crucial block as he turned away Rowley’s well hit strike for a corner. Stevenage countered from said corner and Newton forced Ramsdale into action as he palmed away his effort which seemed destined for the top corner.
Following a hectic 10 minutes or so after the opening goal, the game began to settle down and Stevenage began stifling the Spireites.
It took until the 75th minute for them to create another chance on goal – O’Grady heading narrowly wide following a fine run and free-kick inside the box.
With just 8 minutes to go, Sarll made his final sub as Wilkinson came on for Danny Newton. The big centre back going up top, hoping to make an impact like his partner Franks did at Morecambe just a few weeks ago.
In the end, it was an impressive closing to the game from Stevenage. Pett could have sealed it with less than 5 minutes left on the clock but his stroked strike was just past the post.
Despite 6 minutes of added time, Chesterfield struggled to break down Boro's defence during the final minutes as Stevenage were able to hold onto the three points ahead of Tuesday's home game v Swindon.