Category: Chesterfield

FA Cup: Chesterfield and Wrexham lead non-league push into third round | FA Cup


Non-league Chesterfield pulled off a shock 2-0 win at AFC Wimbledon to book their place in the FA Cup third round.

Armando Dobra put the National League high-flyers in front just before half-time and Jeff King’s long-range effort with 15 minutes left made sure of the upset against the League Two Dons.

Paul Mullin scored a hat-trick as National League leaders Wrexham defeated Farnborough 4-1 at the Racecourse Ground. Mullin headed the Dragons in front from a corner early in the second half, but the National League South visitors were level just after the hour through a free-kick from Oli Pendlebury. Elliot Lee put Wrexham back in front with 12 minutes left before Mullin added two more late on to complete his treble.

Forest Green Rovers ended seventh-tier Alvechurch’s hopes of a money-spinning tie in the third round with a 2-1 win. Former Crystal Palace striker Connor Wickham put Rovers, who are bottom of League One, ahead from the penalty spot in the 24th minute. Alvechurch – who play in Southern League Premier Central Division and were the lowest-ranked team left in the competition – equalised three minutes into the second half through Jediah Yeboah Abbey’s free-kick.

However, Josh March put the League One side back in front just two minutes later, scoring against his former club. Forest Green finished the match with 10 men after defender Dom Bernard was sent off for a second yellow card after grabbing Danny Waldron’s shirt as the Church striker looked to break clear.

Connor Wickham celebrates with his Forest Green teammates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot.
Connor Wickham celebrates with his Forest Green teammates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot. Photograph: Graham Hunt/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock

King’s Lynn, second-placed in the National League North, were beaten 3-0 at home by League Two Stevenage. Three goals in five minutes at the start of the second half, with Luke Norris scoring a quickfire brace before Jamie Reid’s strike, ended the Linnets’ hopes of further progress.

National League Barnet’s cup dreams were ended with a 1-0 defeat at Accrington through a late goal from Ethan Hamilton. Otis Khan hit a last-minute winner as League Two Grimsby stunned Cambridge 2-1 at the Abbey Stadium. Khan had put the visitors ahead on the hour, but Sam Smith nodded in a equaliser before the Mariners frontman struck a late second to send the League One Us crashing out.

Myles Hippolyte headed a stoppage-time equaliser as League Two Stockport snatched a 2-2 draw at Charlton to earn a replay. Chris Hussey had given County an early lead but the Addicks led by half-time, Steven Sessegnon’s cross diverted into his own net by keeper Ben Hinchcliffe before Albie Morgan made it 2-1.

Goals from Devante Cole, Adam Phillips and a Josh Benson penalty gave Barnsley victory against League Two Crewe 3-0 at Oakwell. A brace from Josh Umerah helped Hartlepool beat 10-man Harrogate 3-1 at Victoria Park. Town defender Joe Mattock was sent off at the end of the first half for a foul on Umerah, who slotted in the resulting spot-kick.

Billy Bodin grabbed two goals in the closing stages as Oxford beat League One rivals Exeter 4-1 at the Kassam Stadium.

Walsall came from behind to beat Carlisle 2-1 with an 88th-minute Andy Williams equaliser and a stoppage-time goal from fellow substitute Douglas James-Taylor.

Sheffield Wednesday substitute Michael Smith hit two goals in six minutes in a 2-1 comeback win over League Two Mansfield at Hillsborough, while Shrewsbury beat Peterborough 3-1 to also book a place in Monday’s draw.

Colby Bishop scored twice from the penalty spot as Portsmouth came from behind to beat MK Dons 3-2 at Fratton Park.

In Saturday’s late kick-off, National League Dagenham were denied another upset when Scott Kashket scored a stoppage-time equaliser for Gillingham at the Chigwell Construction Stadium after Josh Walker had put the hosts in front with just 10 minutes left.

John Duncan, manager of Chesterfield’s run to FA Cup last four in 1997, dies at 73 | Football


John Duncan, the manager who guided Chesterfield to the FA Cup semi-finals in 1997, has died aged 73.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Sean Dyche led the tributes to the former Dundee and Tottenham striker, who also managed Scunthorpe from 1981 to 1983, Hartlepool in 1983 and Ipswich from 1987 to 1990. Duncan had two spells at Chesterfield, firstly from 1983 to 1987 and, from 1993 to 2000, the latter tenure following a time as a schoolteacher.

In a statement released by the League Managers’ Association, Ferguson said: “I will always remember John with a great deal of respect and affection. When I was playing and managing in Scotland, I remember him playing up front for Dundee and then of course he went on to be an exceptional striker for Tottenham.

“I’ll never forget John, as manager of Chesterfield, leading his second division team to the 1997 FA Cup semi-finals which really was a fantastic achievement. John had such humility and a great sense of humour and I spoke with him only a matter of weeks ago. I will miss seeing him and I send my deepest condolences to his daughters, his sister, his partner and their families.”

Dyche, the former Burnley boss, captained Chesterfield in their memorable – and controversial – 3-3 draw with Middlesbrough at Old Trafford 25 years ago. He told the LMA: “I worked with John for a number of years whilst at Chesterfield FC through some of the best years in the club’s history.

“He was an excellent manager who always worked to get the best out of all of his staff and players in order to mould a team into one that could challenge and be successful. He was not only a manager to me, as he became a friend and a mentor as my career progressed from player to coach and on to being a manager.

“A loss to football and a big loss to me personally, but he won’t be forgotten by me or by all those who played under him or knew him.”