Chesterfield Advances in FA Cup Despite Absences of Key Players

Chesterfield FC secured a place in the second round of the FA Cup with a hard-fought victory against Stevenage FC on October 28, 2023. The Spireites clinched the win with a second-half penalty converted by Lee Bonis after teammate Dilan Markanday was fouled in the box. This penalty marked Chesterfield’s first successful spot-kick in 13 months, a significant achievement against a Stevenage side that currently sits fourth in League One and boasts an unbeaten home record.

Despite their strong performance, Chesterfield took to the field without two pivotal players: Ryan Stirk and Will Grigg. Stirk has been a consistent presence since joining the club in the summer, while Grigg had just returned from a groin injury, making his absence particularly unexpected. The team is already contending with the long-term injury of Armando Dobra, who is sidelined for two to three months due to a hamstring issue.

Injury Updates and Tactical Adjustments

Following the match, first-team coach Gary Roberts provided updates on Stirk and Grigg’s conditions. He mentioned that Stirk is experiencing a minor quad issue, stating, “We will find out more on Monday-Tuesday when it settles down, how bad it is. He has been a fantastic signing up to now. He has been amazing. Hopefully, it is not too bad.” On Grigg, Roberts explained the cautious approach the coaching staff is taking: “We are just being a bit careful with Will. He is still progressing with that injury; we just did not want to risk it too much, especially in the cup. He has got a week now to be ready for Accrington.”

The match itself was intense, featuring several close calls and dramatic moments. The first half saw Stevenage make two penalty appeals that went unheeded, alongside a header from James Berry that was cleared off the line. Chesterfield’s goalkeeper Zach Hemming made a critical save in the dying moments of the game, preserving the slim lead.

Reflections on the Performance

Bonis’s penalty came on the hour mark, and it proved decisive. His calm demeanor in a pressure situation was noted by Roberts, who remarked, “Lee Bonis was one of the coolest guys in the ground. It meant a lot to him. His performances have merited a goal. I am over the moon for him. He needed a goal, and he deserved one for his work-rate.”

The match highlighted Chesterfield’s resilience, as they managed to capitalize on their opportunities while also weathering a few scares. Roberts commented on the overall performance, stating, “You have to ride your luck a bit; we had a couple of scary moments, but I thought we caused them enough problems to edge the game, in my opinion. We knew we could hit them on transition and we got a couple of breakaways where we could have put them to bed. But we didn’t deserve to blow Stevenage away, but I thought we deserved to win the game.”

As Chesterfield prepares for their next challenge against Accrington, the coaching staff will be closely monitoring the recovery of Stirk and Grigg, aiming to have their best players available as they continue their FA Cup journey.